Meet Nicole- A Crohn’s Diagnosis Becomes A Life of Advocacy

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A Crohn’s diagnosis at eight can shrink a kid’s world down to fatigue, fear, and the nearest bathroom. Nicole Thornton took that same reality and built something bigger: community, advocacy, and a blueprint for how young people with IBD can lead without pretending it’s easy.

We talk through Nicole’s early health journey and the moment Camp Purple Live in New Zealand changed everything by giving her friends who truly understood Crohn’s and colitis. From there, Nicole shares how she petitioned the New Zealand Parliament at just 12 years old to improve toilet access for people with inflammatory bowel disease and other urgent health needs, and how that effort evolved into the “I Can’t Wait” campaign where busin

esses voluntarily welcome patients to use staff bathrooms. We also dig into the everyday stakes behind “bathroom access” and how stigma and public accidents can shape mental health, confidence, and relationships.

Nicole also brings a global lens from her work with the International Federation of Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis Associations (IFCCA) youth group, including what she’s learned about medication access, healthcare funding, and how different countries support young patients. Finally, we get into why she’s studying nursing, how small acts of care can change someone’s life, and what it takes to balance advocacy, school, work, and chronic illness without burning out.

If you care about Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, chronic illness advocacy, bathroom accessibility, or patient leadership, hit subscribe, share this with a friend, and leave a rating and review so more people can find the show.

Links:

• Camp Purple Live- Crohn's & Colitis New Zealand
• IFCCA- Youth Group
• Article on Nicole's NZ parliamentary efforts
• Story on CCNZ on Nicole's trip to Brussels

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