A firefighter from Failsworth has told how an invisible illness affects every aspect of her life – from walks in the park to dating. Catherine Hopkins was just 27 when she began suffering swollen joints, stomach pain and chronic fatigue.
She was also passing blood whenever she went to the bathroom – but felt too embarrassed to tell doctors about her symptoms.
As her condition worsened, the now 33-year-old eventually reached out for help. Following numerous assessments, she was diagnosed with Ulcerative colitis.
