Nadia Fuad Deane

2009 Ina Brudnick Award Recipient, Central Region

Like any 16-year-old, Nadia Fuad Deane of De Pere, WI, enjoyed shopping, web surfing, hanging with friends – and, especially, Middle Eastern dance, which she had studied her entire life. It was at that age that the symptoms of inflammatory bowel disease began, turning the sophomore’s life upside down.

Over the next two years, Nadia was hospitalized 14 times because of gastrointestinal flare-ups. Weeks in the hospital instead of in the classroom dominated her calendar, and she struggled to maintain her high GPA. Although overwhelmed and scared, Nadia was determined to succeed, and with her teachers’ support, studied in the hospital so she could graduate on time.

At the recommendation of her surgeon, who said, “get the surgery and go and get your life back!” Nadia opted for a temporary ileostomy in the winter of her senior year. At first, she worried about how she would cope with an ostomy and how it would affect her friendships. However, with reassurance from her family and encouragement from the Green Bay Ostomy Support Group, Nadia overcame her fears. Looking for ways to help other young people facing surgery, she posted YouTube™ videos, and has received comments from young women around the world thanking her for giving them hope and showing them that they are not alone.

Today, Nadia, 18, is studying at the University of Wisconsin Oshkosh to become a gastroenterologist, and looking forward to dancing once again. “Talk to others and educate yourself about the disease, join a support group and, most importantly, stay positive,” says Nadia. “It’s easy to succumb to the unknown, but with strength and determination anything is possible.”