Hannah's Voice · Crohn's AwarenessHannah se Stem · Crohn's-bewusmaking

The Invisible Warrior. Die Onsigbare Vegter.

Blooming with Strength · Living with Hope Bloei met Krag · Lewe met Hoop

Breaking the silence on Crohn's Disease through education and art. Honest answers from two voices — the doctor's facts and Hannah's lived truth. Om die stilte oor Crohn's-siekte te verbreek deur opvoeding en kuns. Eerlike antwoorde uit twee stemme — die dokter se feite en Hannah se geleefde waarheid.

Read the 50 QuestionsLees die 50 Vrae→ Our StoryOns Storie
Raising awarenessBewusmaking skep Offering supportOndersteuning bied Empowering every personElke persoon bemagtig Living with Crohn'sWat met Crohn's leef
Our MissionOns Missie

Bringing light to an invisible journey. Lig werp op 'n onsigbare reis.

Crohn's Disease is more than a medical diagnosis. It is a daily journey of strength, resilience, and quiet courage — an invisible battle fought behind smiles, at work, at school, and within families who may not always understand the weight of the condition.

Hannah's Voice exists to bring light to that journey. Built from compassion and lived understanding, this is a safe, supportive space where individuals and families affected by Crohn's can find information, encouragement, and hope.

Crohn's-siekte is meer as 'n mediese diagnose. Dit is 'n daaglikse reis van krag, veerkragtigheid en stille moed — 'n onsigbare geveg agter glimlagte, by die werk, by die skool, en binne families wat nie altyd die gewig van die toestand verstaan nie.

Hannah se Stem bestaan om lig op daardie reis te werp. Gebou vanuit deernis en geleefde begrip, is dit 'n veilige, ondersteunende ruimte waar individue en gesinne Crohn's-inligting, aanmoediging en hoop kan vind.

  • Educating the public about this invisible illnessDie publiek opvoed oor hierdie onsigbare siekte
  • Supporting those navigating daily challengesOndersteuning bied vir daaglikse uitdagings
  • Encouraging early diagnosis and understandingVroeë diagnose en begrip aanmoedig
  • Creating a community where no one feels alone'n Gemeenskap skep waar niemand alleen voel nie

We believe awareness reduces stigma. We believe support builds resilience. And we believe that even through chronic illness, hope continues to bloom. Ons glo bewusmaking verminder stigma. Ons glo ondersteuning bou veerkragtigheid. En ons glo selfs deur chroniese siekte, bloei hoop voort.

— Hannah
The BasicsDie Basiese

What is Crohn's? Wat is Crohn's?

A chronic autoimmune disease where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the digestive tract — causing inflammation, deep scarring, and severe pain. 'n Chroniese outo-immuunsiekte waar die liggaam se immuunstelsel verkeerdelik die spysverteringskanaal aanval — wat inflammasie, diep littekens en erge pyn veroorsaak.

i.

Chronic, not curableChronies, nie kuurbaar

A lifelong condition. We manage flares and chase remission — not a cure, yet.'n Lewenslange toestand. Ons bestuur flares en jaag remissie — nog nie 'n kuur nie.

ii.

An invisible reality'n Onsigbare realiteit

Patients often look fine — while battling fatigue, malnutrition and the threat of surgery.Pasiënte lyk dikwels gesond — terwyl hulle teen moegheid, wanvoeding en operasies veg.

iii.

Complex treatmentKomplekse behandeling

Biologics, immunosuppressants and sometimes life-altering surgery. A long road of resilience.Biologiese middels, immuun-onderdrukkers en soms lewensveranderende operasies.

iv.

Awareness healsBewusmaking genees

Empathy starts with understanding. Learn the Spoon Theory — and walk gently with us.Empatie begin met begrip. Leer die Lepel-teorie — en stap saggies saam met ons.

The PathDie Pad

A Treatment Journey 'n Behandelingsreis

01

Diagnosis & DiscoveryDiagnose & Ontdekking

Colonoscopy, scans, and the long wait for answers — followed by learning a whole new vocabulary for life.Kolonoskopie, skanderings en die lang wag op antwoorde — gevolg deur 'n nuwe woordeskat vir die lewe.

02

Medication & ManagementMedikasie & Bestuur

Biologics like Revellex, steroids for short-term flares, and learning to live alongside side effects.Biologiese middels soos Revellex, steroïede vir korttermyn flares, en leef saam met newe-effekte.

03

Resilience & VoiceVeerkragtigheid & Stem

Through art, community and honest conversation — we turn an invisible war into a visible message of hope.Deur kuns, gemeenskap en eerlike gesprek — verander ons 'n onsigbare oorlog in 'n sigbare boodskap van hoop.

Hannah's MessageHannah se Boodskap
My diagnosis is not my destination. Through my voice and my art, I want to show the world that even in the middle of an invisible war, there is beauty, strength, and a community waiting to be heard. My diagnose is nie my eindbestemming nie. Deur my stem en my kuns wil ek vir die wêreld wys dat daar selfs in die middel van 'n onsigbare oorlog skoonheid, krag en 'n gemeenskap is wat wag om gehoor te word.
Hannah
EducationOpvoeding

Fifty Questions, Honest Answers Vyftig Vrae, Eerlike Antwoorde

Every question paired with two voices — the Doctor's facts and Hannah's lived truth. Elke vraag met twee stemme — die Dokter se feite en Hannah se geleefde waarheid.

Showing 8 of 50 8 van 50 vertoon
01What is Crohn's Disease?Wat is Crohn's-siekte?+
DoctorDokter
Chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract.Chroniese inflammasie van die spysverteringskanaal.
Hannah
My body's internal war.My liggaam se interne oorlog.
02Is there a cure?Is daar 'n kuur?+
DoctorDokter
No, only remission.Nee, slegs remissie.
Hannah
We fight for peace, not a cure — yet.Ons veg vir vrede, nie 'n kuur nog nie.
03Is it hereditary?Is dit oorerflik?+
DoctorDokter
Genetics play a role.Genetika speel 'n rol.
Hannah
It's a family's shared journey.Dit is 'n familie se gedeelde reis.
04Is it contagious?Is dit aansteeklik?+
DoctorDokter
No.Nee.
Hannah
You can't catch my pain.Jy kan nie my pyn aansteek nie.
05What is a "flare"?Wat is 'n "flare"?+
DoctorDokter
Active inflammation.Aktiewe inflammasie.
Hannah
A storm inside my gut.'n Storm binne-in my derms.
06IBD vs IBS?IBD vs IBS?+
DoctorDokter
IBD is structural damage; IBS is functional.IBD is strukturele skade; IBS is funksioneel.
07How is it diagnosed?Hoe word dit gediagnoseer?+
DoctorDokter
Colonoscopy and scans.Kolonoskopie en skanderings.
08Does age matter?Maak ouderdom saak?+
DoctorDokter
It can strike any age.Dit kan enige ouderdom tref.
09Is it fatal?Is dit dodelik?+
DoctorDokter
Managed, no — but complications are serious.Bestuur, nee — maar komplikasies is ernstig.
10Why the name "Crohn's"?Hoekom die naam "Crohn's"?+
DoctorDokter
Named after Dr. Burrill Crohn.Vernoem na Dr. Burrill Crohn.
11What are Biologics?Wat is Biologiese middels?+
DoctorDokter
Targeted proteins.Geteikende proteïene.
Hannah
My life-saving infusions.My lewensreddende infussies.
12What is Revellex?Wat is Revellex?+
DoctorDokter
An anti-TNF drug.'n Anti-TNF middel.
Hannah
The medicine that tested my strength.Die medisyne wat my krag getoets het.
13Do steroids work?Werk steroïede?+
DoctorDokter
Yes, for short-term flares.Ja, vir korttermyn flares.
14Side effects of steroids?Newe-effekte van steroïede?+
DoctorDokter
Weight gain, mood swings.Gewigstoename, bui-veranderinge.
15Is nutrition enough?Is voeding genoeg?+
DoctorDokter
No, medication is essential.Nee, medikasie is noodsaaklik.
16What is an infusion?Wat is 'n infussie?+
Hannah
Hours in a chair for health.Ure in 'n stoel vir gesondheid.
17Can I stop meds in remission?Kan ek meds stop in remissie?+
DoctorDokter
Usually not recommended.Gewoonlik nie aanbeveel nie.
18What is "off-label" use?Wat is "off-label" gebruik?+
DoctorDokter
Using drugs for unlisted symptoms.Gebruik van middels vir onbehandelde simptome.
19Does it affect the liver?Affekteer dit die lewer?+
DoctorDokter
Some meds can.Sommige meds kan.
20Is the treatment expensive?Is die behandeling duur?+
Hannah
It's a heavy financial burden.Dit is 'n swaar finansiële las.
21What are strictures?Wat is strikture?+
DoctorDokter
Narrowing of the bowel.Vernouing van die derms.
22Is surgery common?Is operasies algemeen?+
DoctorDokter
Yes, for many patients.Ja, vir baie pasiënte.
23What is a resection?Wat is 'n reseksie?+
DoctorDokter
Removing damaged bowel.Verwydering van beskadigde derm.
24Does it cause fatigue?Veroorsaak dit moegheid?+
Hannah
Exhaustion you can't sleep off.Uitputting wat jy nie kan weg-slaap nie.
25What about weight loss?Wat van gewigsverlies?+
DoctorDokter
Malabsorption causes it.Wanabsorpsie veroorsaak dit.
26Can it affect eyes and joints?Kan dit oë en gewrigte affekteer?+
DoctorDokter
Yes, extra-intestinal symptoms.Ja, ekstra-intestinale simptome.
27Is the pain constant?Is die pyn konstant?+
Hannah
It's a lingering shadow.Dit is 'n dwalende skaduwee.
28What are fistulas?Wat is fistels?+
DoctorDokter
Abnormal connections.Abnormale konneksies.
29Can it affect skin?Kan dit vel affekteer?+
DoctorDokter
Yes, rashes are possible.Ja, uitslag is moontlik.
30Why the bloating?Hoekom die opgeblaasheid?+
DoctorDokter
Inflammation and gas.Inflammasie en gas.
31Can I exercise?Kan ek oefen?+
DoctorDokter
Light exercise is good.Ligte oefening is goed.
32What diet is best?Watter dieet is beste?+
Hannah
It's trial and error.Dit is probeer en tref.
33Can I travel?Kan ek reis?+
Hannah
Yes, with planning.Ja, met beplanning.
34Alcohol and Crohn's?Alkohol en Crohn's?+
DoctorDokter
Generally best to avoid.Gewoonlik die beste om te vermy.
35Smoking?Rook?+
DoctorDokter
Smoking makes Crohn's worse.Rook maak Crohn's erger.
36Can I work full time?Kan ek voltyds werk?+
Hannah
Some days are harder than others.Sommige dae is harder as ander.
37Stress management?Stresbestuur?+
Hannah
Art is my therapy.Kuns is my terapie.
38Pregnancy and Crohn's?Swangerskap en Crohn's?+
DoctorDokter
Possible with monitoring.Moontlik met monitering.
39Support groups?Ondersteuningsgroepe?+
Hannah
Finding your tribe is vital.Om jou mense te vind is noodsaaklik.
40How to explain it to friends?Hoe verduidelik ek dit vir vriende?+
Hannah
Be honest but simple.Behou dit eenvoudig en eerlik.
41What is World IBD Day?Wat is Wêreld IBD-dag?+
Hannah
May 19th — our day to be loud.19 Mei — ons dag om hard te praat.
42Why "Hannah's Voice"?Hoekom "Hannah se Stem"?+
Hannah
Because I refused to be silent.Omdat ek geweier het om stil te bly.
43How can others help?Hoe kan ander help?+
DoctorDokter
Awareness and research funds.Bewusmaking en navorsingsfondse.
44Is Crohn's a disability?Is Crohn's 'n gestremdheid?+
DoctorDokter
Yes, an invisible one.Ja, 'n onsigbare een.
45Why the awareness ribbon?Hoekom die bewusmakingslint?+
Hannah
The colour of our awareness.Die kleur van ons bewusmaking.
46Does art help healing?Help kuns met genesing?+
Hannah
It heals the mind.Dit genees die gees.
47What is "The Spoon Theory"?Wat is "Die Lepel-teorie"?+
Hannah
Managing limited energy.Bestuur van beperkte energie.
48Can I be happy with Crohn's?Kan ek gelukkig wees met Crohn's?+
Hannah
Absolutely.Absoluut.
49Is the future bright?Is die toekoms blink?+
DoctorDokter
New treatments are coming.Nuwe behandelings is op pad.
50Final message?Finale boodskap?+
Hannah
You are not your illness.Jy is nie jou siekte nie.
No matching questions. Try a different word. Geen passende vrae nie. Probeer 'n ander woord.

The Spoon TheoryDie Lepel-teorie

Every day, IBD warriors start with a limited number of "spoons" — units of energy. Each task spends one. Understanding this is the first step to walking gently beside someone who fights an invisible war. Elke dag begin IBD-vegters met 'n beperkte aantal "lepels" — eenhede van energie. Elke taak bestee een. Om dit te verstaan is die eerste stap om saggies langs iemand wat 'n onsigbare oorlog veg, te stap.

You are not alone on this Joyrney

Contact Hannah's Voice for Support & Information

Find education, encouragement, and community for those living with Crohn’s
because hope grows stronger together.

+27 71 056 4088

info@crohnsawareness.co.z