West Lothian man takes his Crohn's campaign to the Prime Minister
Steven Sharp from Fauldhouse is taking his campaign right to the very top
Last updated 10th May 2023
A West Lothian man who has lived for more than 20 years with Crohn's disease is meeting the Prime Minister today to highlight the importance of early diagnosis.
Steven Sharp from Fauldhouse is meeting with Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
He was diagnosed more than 20 years ago at the age of 12.
When Steven was 17 he had his entire large bowel removed.
Now as part of a new campaign with the charity Crohn's and Colitis UK, he's heading to number 10.
"Surgery essentially saved my life." Steven said, "I've been keen to give something back since then to the IBD community, and over the years I've done a good bit of awareness raising and fundraising."
Forth News has been backing Steven's campaign along with the charity Crohn's and Colitis UK.
READ MORE: Radio Forth campaign helps 1k Scots get checked for Crohn's disease
Ahead of his meeting with Rishi Sunak, Steven told us: "We really want the Prime Minister to realise that this is something that's very important and affects so many people in the UK. For me, being able to do this is to raise awareness of the condition."
"I think, for me, it's about being a voice, letting the Prime Minister know that there are people going through this and waiting so long to get diagnosed."
SNP MP Hannah Bardell, who is Steven's local representative, will attend the meeting with the Prime Minister.
READ MORE: How to spot the signs of Crohn's Disease and Colitis
She said: "I am really looking forward to the meeting with the Prime Minister. The fact that he was willing to sit down with myself and my constituent, Steven, to talk about Crohn's and Colitis and talk about what sufferers experience and the issues around research funding."
Crohn's is also an issue close to Hannah's heart: "The issue is about visibility and what is quite often a hidden disease and a hidden disability. My brother has it. So I have seen him suffer significantly in recent years."
She added: "I'm also just in awe of Steven and what he has achieved and the awareness that he raises, not just in West Lothian but across Scotland. So really, really looking forward to really Stephen getting his opportunity to put across his views, his concerns to the Prime Minister, and look at what more can be done in terms of face support, research and funding."