Amy Dowden, the Welsh Strictly Come Dancing professional dancer, has posted an emotive message on Instagram to raise awareness for IBD (inflammatory bowel disease). Amy has always been very open about her health and wants to show other suffers that "it doesn't define you".
The star has suffered from IBD and Crohn's disease since she was 11 years old and has always been very public about her condition. She had her own BBC documentary about her health journey and regularly talks about her health on her social media.
Amy has posted a photo of herself taken while she was suffering a bout of IBD to "show the reality of flares" and just how tough having IBD can be. She said: "Last few years I've really wanted to help raise awareness for IBD. Help other sufferers but also show that it doesn't define you."
READ MORE: Strictly's Amy Dowden says dancing has been her 'saviour' as she battles Crohn's disease
The 31-year-old went on to explain how one of the hardest parts of the condition is being judged for it, she said: "Today I wanted to share times I found tough. One of which is being judged for your condition!
"I would do anything in the world not to live with it, I often say what did I do to deserve this? I'd be robbed of opportunities and dreams because I'd be seen as a 'risk' which would frustrate and upset me."
She called to remove the stigma, she said: "Having IBD doesn't take away your talents, your hard work, your work ethic! In fact it makes us stronger. Let's take away the stigma and continue to talk and raise more awareness!"
Amy was flooded with support in the comments from her former Strictly Come Dancing professionals, Aljaz Skorjanec and Ot Mabuse, both of who have left the show, and current Strictly stars Dianne Buswell, Nancy Xu, and Motsi Mabuse.
Dianne said: "Love you so proud of you" and Motsi added: "Such a strong girl and role model."
