August is Gastroparesis Awareness Month. A month dedicated to raising awareness around Gastroparesis.
"Gastroparesis is delayed stomach emptying - paralysed stomach. It can be moderate to severe..It has no cure.
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Food remains undigested and no nutrients are absorbed. With varying degrees of severity, every person has different experiences and food tolerances. Need to avoid all skin fruits/veges/nuts/meats - basically all good healthy food.
Processed/fast food is easier to eat. Though that vomits up as well, it sometimes in the stomach longer."
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- Ruby Hill
Ruby's Story
It is also a story that reflects the level of care and treatment received by many of the sufferers of Gastroparesis and chronic illnesses, in both New Zealand and overseas.
Ruby died on April 29th 2019 after a fiercely fought battle with Idiopathic Gastroparesis. This is not the outcome we could have ever expected. She showed exceptional strength and bravery and we are stepping up to the plate to continue to raise her voice.
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The following is her story and highlights the difficulties that she experienced with her care during her many many hospital admissions.
How labels of "its all in your head" and "anorexia" prevented her from being given the treatment she needed.
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It was Ruby’s desire throughout her illness to improve care for not just herself, but anyone else struggling within the medical system.
Media & Latest News
"One day you’ll tell your story of how you overcame what you went through and it will become someone else’s survival guide"