West Lothian Crohn's campaigner's meeting with PM 'very positive'

A West Lothian man who has lived for more than 20 years with Crohn's disease has met with the Prime Minister to highlight the importance of early diagnosis.

Steven Sharp from Fauldhouse was diagnosed more than 20 years ago at the age of 12. and when he was 17 he had his entire large bowel removed

Now as part of a new campaign with the charity Crohn's and Colitis UK, Steven's headed to number 10, to speak to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.

"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."

After speaking to Rishi Sunak, Steven told Forth News: "The Prime Minister was very, very approachable, and I think the Prime Minister actually has a close family friend who has suffered with IDB so he was very clued up on the background of it."

READ MORE: Radio Forth campaign helps 1k Scots get checked for Crohn's disease

Steven said: "We discussed taking the campaign forward and he was very very approachable, and I really feel confident that we will see a bit of a difference now and he will try and push through as much as he can."

"He's very passionate about continuing to help, we spoke to his about a generalised symptom checker for lower GI conditions, so hopefully we can get some backing from the government for that."

Steven added: "I do get a generally good feeling that something will be done, it won't be overnight but I genuinely feel that he did care and that plans will be put into place, again that will take time, but very, very positive."

Forth News has been backing Steven's campaign along with the charity Crohn's and Colitis UK.

READ MORE: How to spot the signs of Crohn's Disease and Colitis

SNP MP Hannah Bardell, who is Steven's local representative, also attended the meeting with the Prime Minister.

She told us ahead of the meeting: "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."

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