2008 Ina Brudnick Recipient, South Region 
When Steven Williams of San Marcos, TX, was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at the age of 19, he admits that he was wasting time, abusing alcohol and prescription drugs, and living with his parents, with no real thought to college or his future.
The ulcerative colitis diagnosis changed everything. Steven felt he had two options – sit on the sidelines of life or use this experience to make a difference. He chose the latter, and with the support of his family – including his older sister who also has ulcerative colitis – Steven pushed forward through surgery and began turning his life around, one step at a time.
“Ulcerative colitis has had a dramatic effect on my life,” says Steven. “I went from being a binge-drinking, pill-popping lost child with a dead-end job to a focused, driven and utterly academically obsessed student with one goal – to find a cure for inflammatory bowel diseases.”
Steven, 22, is currently pursing a double-major in biochemistry and microbiology at Texas State University. He plans to continue his education and earn a Ph.D in biochemistry or genetics, and work for an organization researching treatments and cures for intestinal diseases. “Why shouldn’t it be you who steps up and helps make a difference?” asks Steven. “Change your mindset and use your experience to your advantage – be proactive, not reactive.”
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