As well as speaking to patients every day, our myqufora team also have personal connections with the work we do. We caught up with a member of our team, Stacey, to hear about her thoughts on our recent case study resources for parents and families’ thoughts on our recent case study resources for parents and es in collaboration with Birmingham Children’s Hospital.
“For me, watching the videos’ was a bit of an emotional journey. There was a whole host of emotions – from feeling seen, connecting with others who understand, and realising that you’re not going through this alone. But then, there’s also a sadness, knowing that other families are going through similar challenges and emotions as you are.
I found myself relating to a little part of each of the stories shared, as my son also lives with bowel problems. Going through this journey can be challenging and hearing other parents and children tell their story reminded me I’m not the only parent in this situation. It’s hard for both my son and me to navigate the usual milestones, like starting school or adjusting to parenthood, while also managing an additional layer of complexity.
Hearing Sophie’s story about how she was initially confident in her situation but experienced a mindset shift to feeling less of this confidence when she moved to a new stage at school really resonated with me at the moment. In our home, we’ve always had open and honest conversations with my son about his body and worked to remove any taboo around the topic of bowels or poo. This approach has empowered him to openly talk to us about what’s happening and how he feels. It’s given him a voice in managing his own body – whether something doesn’t feel right or when he’s feeling better.
However, since starting school, my son has started to notice that other children aren’t in nappies like he is, and he’s starting to ask more questions, like, ‘Why am I different?’, which is hard for a parent.
This is why the case studies are so powerful and valuable. They don’t just provide information – they offer real stories that parents like myself can connect with. Seeing others navigate similar experiences, dealing with the same difficult questions and emotions, reminds us that we’re not alone in this journey. It creates a sense of community, giving parents the reassurance that their feelings and challenges are shared by others, which can make all the difference when facing these struggles.
