There are three kinds of amusement parks . . . little traveling carnivals, like the kind you see during county or state fairs; permanent local parks that are much larger; and of course, the huge theme parks covering hundreds of acres, where people come from all over the country, and even the world, to visit. Think Six Flags, Disneyland, Universal Studios.
Someone who has only been to carnivals or local parks, but not the vast theme parks cannot imagine the massiveness, variety, and immersive environment of those parks. They can look at pictures and watch videos to get a taste, but it's like looking at a picture of the Grand Canyon and thinking you now know how big the Grand Canyon really is in all its majestic grandeur. Sorry, but no.
And then there is the difference in size of the theme parks. I just recently learned that while Disneyland is around 500 acres, Disney World is over 25,000 acres, about 40 square miles! Think about that.
So why am I talking about amusement parks?
Because I am like an amusement park. Specifically, a large theme park.
People with occasional diarrhea problems are the traveling carnivals. People with IBS, or irritable bowel syndrome are the local parks, and those with colitis or Crohn's disease, (or inflammable bowel disease IBD), are the giant theme parks.
And it is very frustrating when you're planning a trip to Universal Studios and someone who's only been to carnivals is telling you what you should do at Universal Studios. And then they get upset when you don't take their advice.
Are carnivals, local parks, and theme parks all amusement parks? Of course. Do all three have rides and attractions? Yes. Are they all the same thing?
Not even close.
Do those with sporadic stomach issues, IBS, and IBD all have to deal with bloating and diarrhea? Yes. Do all three struggle with some urgency, accidents, and stomach pain? Absolutely. Are they all the same thing?
NOT EVEN CLOSE.
Someone having occasional diarrhea or eating something or having stress that causes them to run to the bathroom for several hours, even if it happens a lot, is not the same as someone with colitis or Crohn's disease. And trying to say, "This worked for me!" when it is not the same thing is frustrating and sometimes even demoralizing to hear . . . like comparing a carnival or local amusement park to Disneyland.
It's just not the same thing.
IBD and IBS Side By Side Comparison Chart
© Colitis Senioritis 2024
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