ALT A digital illustration shows a person sitting cross-legged with their head in their hands, visibly distressed. Behind them, two people are shown talking and pointing, suggesting judgment or misunderstanding. The background is purple. Overlay text reads: “Living with IBD means battling symptoms that others can’t see. It is a constant storm – worsening digestive system, gut motility issues, poor sleep, and one of the biggest triggers, stress.” At the bottom, a caption reads: “Battling an invisible illness while everyone else plays ‘doctor’ By: 2025 fellow Bamlak Alebel.”

ALT An infographic with a light purple background features a person in a yellow hoodie and black pants, arms crossed. Surrounding the figure are the words “Denial,” “Anger,” “Bargaining,” “Depression,” and “Acceptance” in bold purple text, representing the stages of grief. Below, a quote reads: “The emotional and psychological journey of adapting to a life-altering event closely resembles a grief-like path. Chronic conditions not only impact our physical health but also our identity, relationships, and goals, making the process of adjusting and coping essential.” The quote is attributed to “IBD and Grief” by 2025 fellow Akhil Shridhar.