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About Us
Strengthening Our Community
Our mission is to connect and empower young people with Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) as they navigate higher education and adulthood
Through a network of educational resources, a platform for storytelling, and collective advocacy, we aim to demonstrate and showcase the strength of our vulnerabilities and the power of our voices
Our
Story
Where it Began
From someone who has navigated higher education while managing IBD, I present IBD University (IBDU) -- a forum for collective advocacy, education, empowerment and storytelling.
I believe our unique challenges should strengthen, not impede, our ability to thrive in academic environments and I am dedicated to helping foster support along the way.
I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease when I was thirteen and since then have struggled to make the most out of my education while managing IBD.
IBDU was born out of a love for education and a passion for advocacy. Surrounded by other young people with IBD, allies and educators, we are doing our best to spread support and learn from each other along the way.
Welcome to IBDU, we're so glad you're here.
Emma Adelstein, Founder and CEO
Our Values
EMPATHY
For young people, balancing health with education, relationships, and personal growth requires deep understanding from those around them.
By embracing empathy, we strengthen our ability to support one another, advocate for our needs, and cultivate a community that meets vulnerability with kindness and shared experience.
By embracing empathy, we strengthen our ability to support one another, advocate for our needs, and cultivate a community that meets vulnerability with kindness and shared experience.
GRACE
Grace is the quiet strength that allows us to face unpredictability with patience and dignity; it is the space we give ourselves to rest and recover, and the understanding we extend to others who are on similar journeys.
By valuing grace, we foster an environment where mistakes and challenges are met with kindness, and growth is measured not by perfection, but by perseverance.
By valuing grace, we foster an environment where mistakes and challenges are met with kindness, and growth is measured not by perfection, but by perseverance.
INCLUSION
We are committed to embracing the unique perspectives and challenges each individual faces, recognizing that our differences enrich our shared journey.
By fostering inclusion, we create a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported, empowering us to build a more equitable and compassionate community.
By fostering inclusion, we create a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported, empowering us to build a more equitable and compassionate community.
CONNECTION
Through authentic connection – whether with peers, mentors, or advocates – individuals can find strength, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
Connection can transform vulnerabilities into sources of empowerment. We work to cultivate a supportive network that both uplifts and educates, ensuring that everyone feels understood and inspired to thrive.
Connection can transform vulnerabilities into sources of empowerment. We work to cultivate a supportive network that both uplifts and educates, ensuring that everyone feels understood and inspired to thrive.
GROWTH
Growth reflects the personal and collective progress we make as we navigate life with IBD; it means not only overcoming obstacles but evolving through them.
We celebrate the small victories, the lessons learned from setbacks, and the resilience built through each challenge. We encourage one another to keep evolving, recognizing that our journey is not defined by our challenges, but by how we respond to them and our persistent efforts to continually move forward.
We celebrate the small victories, the lessons learned from setbacks, and the resilience built through each challenge. We encourage one another to keep evolving, recognizing that our journey is not defined by our challenges, but by how we respond to them and our persistent efforts to continually move forward.
EMPATHY
For young people, balancing health with education, relationships, and personal growth requires deep understanding from those around them.
By embracing empathy, we strengthen our ability to support one another, advocate for our needs, and cultivate a community that meets vulnerability with kindness and shared experience.
By embracing empathy, we strengthen our ability to support one another, advocate for our needs, and cultivate a community that meets vulnerability with kindness and shared experience.
GRACE
Grace is the quiet strength that allows us to face unpredictability with patience and dignity; it is the space we give ourselves to rest and recover, and the understanding we extend to others who are on similar journeys.
By valuing grace, we foster an environment where mistakes and challenges are met with kindness, and growth is measured not by perfection, but by perseverance.
By valuing grace, we foster an environment where mistakes and challenges are met with kindness, and growth is measured not by perfection, but by perseverance.
INCLUSION
We are committed to embracing the unique perspectives and challenges each individual faces, recognizing that our differences enrich our shared journey.
By fostering inclusion, we create a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported, empowering us to build a more equitable and compassionate community.
By fostering inclusion, we create a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported, empowering us to build a more equitable and compassionate community.
CONNECTION
Through authentic connection – whether with peers, mentors, or advocates – individuals can find strength, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
Connection can transform vulnerabilities into sources of empowerment. We work to cultivate a supportive network that both uplifts and educates, ensuring that everyone feels understood and inspired to thrive.
Connection can transform vulnerabilities into sources of empowerment. We work to cultivate a supportive network that both uplifts and educates, ensuring that everyone feels understood and inspired to thrive.
GROWTH
Growth reflects the personal and collective progress we make as we navigate life with IBD; it means not only overcoming obstacles but evolving through them.
We celebrate the small victories, the lessons learned from setbacks, and the resilience built through each challenge. We encourage one another to keep evolving, recognizing that our journey is not defined by our challenges, but by how we respond to them and our persistent efforts to continually move forward.
We celebrate the small victories, the lessons learned from setbacks, and the resilience built through each challenge. We encourage one another to keep evolving, recognizing that our journey is not defined by our challenges, but by how we respond to them and our persistent efforts to continually move forward.
EMPATHY
For young people, balancing health with education, relationships, and personal growth requires deep understanding from those around them.
By embracing empathy, we strengthen our ability to support one another, advocate for our needs, and cultivate a community that meets vulnerability with kindness and shared experience.
By embracing empathy, we strengthen our ability to support one another, advocate for our needs, and cultivate a community that meets vulnerability with kindness and shared experience.
GRACE
Grace is the quiet strength that allows us to face unpredictability with patience and dignity; it is the space we give ourselves to rest and recover, and the understanding we extend to others who are on similar journeys.
By valuing grace, we foster an environment where mistakes and challenges are met with kindness, and growth is measured not by perfection, but by perseverance.
By valuing grace, we foster an environment where mistakes and challenges are met with kindness, and growth is measured not by perfection, but by perseverance.
INCLUSION
We are committed to embracing the unique perspectives and challenges each individual faces, recognizing that our differences enrich our shared journey.
By fostering inclusion, we create a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported, empowering us to build a more equitable and compassionate community.
By fostering inclusion, we create a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported, empowering us to build a more equitable and compassionate community.
CONNECTION
Through authentic connection – whether with peers, mentors, or advocates – individuals can find strength, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
Connection can transform vulnerabilities into sources of empowerment. We work to cultivate a supportive network that both uplifts and educates, ensuring that everyone feels understood and inspired to thrive.
Connection can transform vulnerabilities into sources of empowerment. We work to cultivate a supportive network that both uplifts and educates, ensuring that everyone feels understood and inspired to thrive.
GROWTH
Growth reflects the personal and collective progress we make as we navigate life with IBD; it means not only overcoming obstacles but evolving through them.
We celebrate the small victories, the lessons learned from setbacks, and the resilience built through each challenge. We encourage one another to keep evolving, recognizing that our journey is not defined by our challenges, but by how we respond to them and our persistent efforts to continually move forward.
We celebrate the small victories, the lessons learned from setbacks, and the resilience built through each challenge. We encourage one another to keep evolving, recognizing that our journey is not defined by our challenges, but by how we respond to them and our persistent efforts to continually move forward.
EMPATHY
For young people, balancing health with education, relationships, and personal growth requires deep understanding from those around them.
By embracing empathy, we strengthen our ability to support one another, advocate for our needs, and cultivate a community that meets vulnerability with kindness and shared experience.
By embracing empathy, we strengthen our ability to support one another, advocate for our needs, and cultivate a community that meets vulnerability with kindness and shared experience.
GRACE
Grace is the quiet strength that allows us to face unpredictability with patience and dignity; it is the space we give ourselves to rest and recover, and the understanding we extend to others who are on similar journeys.
By valuing grace, we foster an environment where mistakes and challenges are met with kindness, and growth is measured not by perfection, but by perseverance.
By valuing grace, we foster an environment where mistakes and challenges are met with kindness, and growth is measured not by perfection, but by perseverance.
INCLUSION
We are committed to embracing the unique perspectives and challenges each individual faces, recognizing that our differences enrich our shared journey.
By fostering inclusion, we create a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported, empowering us to build a more equitable and compassionate community.
By fostering inclusion, we create a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported, empowering us to build a more equitable and compassionate community.
CONNECTION
Through authentic connection – whether with peers, mentors, or advocates – individuals can find strength, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
Connection can transform vulnerabilities into sources of empowerment. We work to cultivate a supportive network that both uplifts and educates, ensuring that everyone feels understood and inspired to thrive.
Connection can transform vulnerabilities into sources of empowerment. We work to cultivate a supportive network that both uplifts and educates, ensuring that everyone feels understood and inspired to thrive.
GROWTH
Growth reflects the personal and collective progress we make as we navigate life with IBD; it means not only overcoming obstacles but evolving through them.
We celebrate the small victories, the lessons learned from setbacks, and the resilience built through each challenge. We encourage one another to keep evolving, recognizing that our journey is not defined by our challenges, but by how we respond to them and our persistent efforts to continually move forward.
We celebrate the small victories, the lessons learned from setbacks, and the resilience built through each challenge. We encourage one another to keep evolving, recognizing that our journey is not defined by our challenges, but by how we respond to them and our persistent efforts to continually move forward.
EMPATHY
For young people, balancing health with education, relationships, and personal growth requires deep understanding from those around them.
By embracing empathy, we strengthen our ability to support one another, advocate for our needs, and cultivate a community that meets vulnerability with kindness and shared experience.
By embracing empathy, we strengthen our ability to support one another, advocate for our needs, and cultivate a community that meets vulnerability with kindness and shared experience.
GRACE
Grace is the quiet strength that allows us to face unpredictability with patience and dignity; it is the space we give ourselves to rest and recover, and the understanding we extend to others who are on similar journeys.
By valuing grace, we foster an environment where mistakes and challenges are met with kindness, and growth is measured not by perfection, but by perseverance.
By valuing grace, we foster an environment where mistakes and challenges are met with kindness, and growth is measured not by perfection, but by perseverance.
INCLUSION
We are committed to embracing the unique perspectives and challenges each individual faces, recognizing that our differences enrich our shared journey.
By fostering inclusion, we create a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported, empowering us to build a more equitable and compassionate community.
By fostering inclusion, we create a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported, empowering us to build a more equitable and compassionate community.
CONNECTION
Through authentic connection – whether with peers, mentors, or advocates – individuals can find strength, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
Connection can transform vulnerabilities into sources of empowerment. We work to cultivate a supportive network that both uplifts and educates, ensuring that everyone feels understood and inspired to thrive.
Connection can transform vulnerabilities into sources of empowerment. We work to cultivate a supportive network that both uplifts and educates, ensuring that everyone feels understood and inspired to thrive.
GROWTH
Growth reflects the personal and collective progress we make as we navigate life with IBD; it means not only overcoming obstacles but evolving through them.
We celebrate the small victories, the lessons learned from setbacks, and the resilience built through each challenge. We encourage one another to keep evolving, recognizing that our journey is not defined by our challenges, but by how we respond to them and our persistent efforts to continually move forward.
We celebrate the small victories, the lessons learned from setbacks, and the resilience built through each challenge. We encourage one another to keep evolving, recognizing that our journey is not defined by our challenges, but by how we respond to them and our persistent efforts to continually move forward.
EMPATHY
For young people, balancing health with education, relationships, and personal growth requires deep understanding from those around them.
By embracing empathy, we strengthen our ability to support one another, advocate for our needs, and cultivate a community that meets vulnerability with kindness and shared experience.
By embracing empathy, we strengthen our ability to support one another, advocate for our needs, and cultivate a community that meets vulnerability with kindness and shared experience.
GRACE
Grace is the quiet strength that allows us to face unpredictability with patience and dignity; it is the space we give ourselves to rest and recover, and the understanding we extend to others who are on similar journeys.
By valuing grace, we foster an environment where mistakes and challenges are met with kindness, and growth is measured not by perfection, but by perseverance.
By valuing grace, we foster an environment where mistakes and challenges are met with kindness, and growth is measured not by perfection, but by perseverance.
INCLUSION
We are committed to embracing the unique perspectives and challenges each individual faces, recognizing that our differences enrich our shared journey.
By fostering inclusion, we create a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported, empowering us to build a more equitable and compassionate community.
By fostering inclusion, we create a space where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported, empowering us to build a more equitable and compassionate community.
CONNECTION
Through authentic connection – whether with peers, mentors, or advocates – individuals can find strength, resilience, and a sense of belonging.
Connection can transform vulnerabilities into sources of empowerment. We work to cultivate a supportive network that both uplifts and educates, ensuring that everyone feels understood and inspired to thrive.
Connection can transform vulnerabilities into sources of empowerment. We work to cultivate a supportive network that both uplifts and educates, ensuring that everyone feels understood and inspired to thrive.
GROWTH
Growth reflects the personal and collective progress we make as we navigate life with IBD; it means not only overcoming obstacles but evolving through them.
We celebrate the small victories, the lessons learned from setbacks, and the resilience built through each challenge. We encourage one another to keep evolving, recognizing that our journey is not defined by our challenges, but by how we respond to them and our persistent efforts to continually move forward.
We celebrate the small victories, the lessons learned from setbacks, and the resilience built through each challenge. We encourage one another to keep evolving, recognizing that our journey is not defined by our challenges, but by how we respond to them and our persistent efforts to continually move forward.
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