Chairman : John Mullins

I've had a working internal pouch since just after my 41st birthday in 2002, after finally throwing in the towel in my 18 year battle with ulcerative colitis.
I am now fit and healthy and have a very positive outlook. I joined my local IA group just before my surgery and a couple of years later joined the committee, and now hold the position of treasurer.

A desire to help others in a similar situation led me to taking part and successfully completing the IA visitors course in late 2006.

I live in a small village just outside of York with my wife and two young sons, and now work for an IT company in Leeds after a long career developing computer games. I have a wide variety of interests but particularly enjoy sports, technology, travel, and have a probably unhealthy liking for good food and drink.!   

e-mail: john.mullins@iasupport.org

Neil Crozier

As of spring 2009 I have had an active pouch for two years. The first year was no fun and at times I wished I could have had my stoma back. Two years on and I can’t think why I ever thought that. I am a 54 year old retired banker (admin, not lending/investment, so the credit crunch isn’t my fault). I enjoy :- being married, my two adult children, fishing, gardening and watching most sports. Six years with ulcerative colitis caused me to go under the knife in November ’06. Takedown was March ’07. It was after the first operation that I joined IA. I initially joined out of curiosity but now wish to help anyone requiring or having had surgery resulting in a stoma or internal pouch.

When trained I will take over as Visiting Co-ordinator for Kettering IA. I have been immensely grateful for the support and help I have received from other members, particularly through the website forums. It is a strongly held belief of mine that as a charity we should be offering as much assistance to those in need as we can. Sometimes we must be prepared to go outside of our comfort zone in order to advance this most important of the IA’s aims

e-mail: neil.crozier@iasupport.org

Dr. Sarah Harris

Hi, my name is Sarah Harris and I am 36.

I have been a member of Leicestershire IA since I had my colectomy in 1996. I had pouch surgery the following year. I have been a member of the IA pouch sub-committee on and off since 1998 and used to be on the Young IA committee.

My reasons for being part of IA are the same as most other members - ie. to try and give something back. I had very little chance to prepare for my colectomy surgery as I had only been unwell for a few weeks, and so I was very grateful to my IA visitor who guided me through my year with an ileostomy.

I have had quite a few problems with my internal pouch over the years and have been thankful for the friendship and advice that continued membership of IA has given me. I work as a hospital doctor (hearts though not guts!) four days a week. Most of my spare time is spent with my friends and their growing collection of children, including being a very proud Godmother to a pouch baby born last year.

e-mail : sarah.harris@iasupport.org

Dan is originally from Hereford, but now lives in Bedford with his wife Jill. He is a fully qualified electrician and has been so since 1993. He also has much experience in customer services, both face to face and over the phone.

He currently works as an Electrical Shift Technician at a large banking establishment in Central London where he works with others on maintenance. He previously worked as an Electrical Supervisor at a large wind tunnel test site in where he was mostly responsible for maintaining all site electrical services and assisting in the running of the tunnel. He was also a customer services advisor working for a national energy company in Bedford.

Dan has been a member of since 1995 when he joined the Worcestershire local group after having a colectomy due to ulcerative colitis. He has had an Internal Pouch since 1996. Dan was one of the first people to undergo the “Counselling Skills for IA Visitors” course in 2000-2001 and joined the Executive Committee as National Internal Pouch Coordinator at National Council, Belfast in 2001. He stepped down in April 2007 due to career commitments, and handed the reins over to Rachel Hayward but remains on the pouch sub-committee.

e-mail: dan.jones@iasupport.org

David Minto

I currently reside in Telford but was born in Newcastle and lived in Gateshead for the first 34 years of my life. I work in the public sector, thoroughly enjoy my job and the many differing challenges that it offers.

I have had an active ileo-anal W-pouch since October 2006 and it has far exceeded my best expectations. I was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in August 2004 (just after my 30th birthday) after an emergency admission to hospital. I underwent a sub-total colectomy in September 2004 and possessed an ileostomy for a little over two years.

I rarely give my pouch a second thought. I eat and drink whatever I want. My pouch doesn’t limit me in any way whatsoever. I am a keen runner and compete for my running club at a decent level. I also enjoy travelling, eating out, watching football and sport.

I joined IA in October 2004 while recovering at home after my initial surgery. I was invited to join the IA Pouch Group sub-committee in January 2008. I find that having the opportunity to help others by drawing upon my own experiences, knowledge, and positive outlook, is very rewarding.

e-mail: david.minto@iasupport.org