Our Creative Team at A Life in a Day have the challenging yet rewarding job of hearing our patient stories to create our immersive experiences. But our Head of Production Beverley Bryant has not only heard the stories of countless patients in her career, but she is also a has experienced A Life in a Day from a different angle: contributing to one of our experiences. She shares her unique perspective of being able to see the value of patient stories from all angles.
…
Two years ago I had the privilege of interviewing Jen Rose about her experience of living with ulcerative colitis (UC), a condition she was diagnosed with as a child.
Jen is an amazing woman who has combined her experiences of living with UC herself, and as a parent of a child living with Crohn’s disease, with her incredible illustration skills and imagination to help countless children understand their physical and mental health by creating age-appropriate information.
As part of my role as a Senior Creative Lead at A Life in a Day, I often speak with patients who are living with long-term health conditions, listening to their personal stories and learning from their resilience. Each time I hear someone share their struggles, their triumphs, and their realities, I am reminded of how powerful these stories are – both for those who share them and those who hear them through an A Life in a Day experience.
What I hadn’t anticipated, however, was how it would feel to be on the other side of the conversation, telling my own story again…
Back in the summer I was contacted by Seb Tucknott, who is also someone who lives with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and is the co-founder of a charity called IBD Relief. Seb was inviting me to share my story of living with Crohn’s, a condition I have lived with for 15 years, and particularly a complication of Crohn’s called fistulas.
Of course, I jumped at the chance. It’s something I did eight years ago when I was asked to share my story of living with Crohn’s disease with Mark Doyle, the founder of A Life in a Day, as he was developing an IBD experience.
What I didn’t know this time was that Seb had asked Jen to conduct the interview, so it was a full-circle moment when Jen and I met for the first time in person because this time, I was the one talking about my life with Crohn’s.
I remember the feeling of sitting down with Jen and Seb, knowing that my words would be heard by others – people who treat individuals living with Crohn’s, people who live with Crohn’s, or those who may simply want to understand what life with Crohn’s is really like.
Whenever I’ve interviewed patients with various chronic conditions, I’ve always felt deeply honoured to hear their stories. It’s a privilege to be trusted with their vulnerabilities, to witness their courage and strength as they share their most intimate experiences. There’s a certain sacredness to these conversations, and I’ve always been moved by the profound impact that storytelling can have – not only for the person telling the story but also for the people who go through an A Life in a Day experience.
But being back on the other side of the interview was a curious experience for me. As Jen asked me about my journey, I remembered just how powerful it is to speak openly about the challenges we face, the highs and lows of managing a chronic illness. What struck me most was the safe space Jen created for me to share, a space where I could be open without fear of judgment and free to say things out loud that I have only ever shared with my husband before.
And this, I proudly realised, is one of the precious values we uphold at A Life in a Day when we’re interviewing people.
For me, the process of reflecting on my life with Crohn’s once again brought both clarity and empowerment. I spoke about the tough times – the multiple surgeries, the various treatments, the flare-ups, the moments of despair, and the things I’ve learned along the way, like how I cope with the emotional toll of living with a long-term condition. But I also had the chance to talk about the moments of growth and strength, the things that have come from living with Crohn’s: empathy, resilience, and a deeper understanding of what it means to live with uncertainty.
What made this interview even more meaningful was knowing that Jen and I have both shared our stories in the hopes of educating others. As much as it was about personal catharsis, it was also about making a difference. In my work, I often talk about how sharing the realities of living with chronic illness can help increase understanding, empathy and patient focussed behaviour. This was my chance to once again contribute to that mission – not just as an interviewer, but as someone who has lived with a chronic illness for many years.
By the end of our conversation, I left feeling not only heard, but truly seen. It was a reminder of how important it is to continue sharing our experiences, and to create safe spaces where people living with chronic conditions can feel safe, supported, and empowered. As much as I often feel privileged to be the one asking the questions, I also know that there is great power in being able to share my own story. It’s a reminder that we are all in this together. Each of us finding our voice, learning from one another, and, hopefully, making the world a little more compassionate in the process.
I am grateful for the opportunity to tell my story again, and I am deeply thankful to Jen and Seb for giving me that space. It’s not always easy to talk about the challenges that come with living with a chronic illness, but by sharing our experiences, we can offer hope, support, and education to others who might need it. Ultimately, I know that our stories are more than just personal – they are part of a larger conversation that has the power to change lives.
