wes h.
Wes is a proud husband and father to one.
He is a survivor of bilateral retinoblastoma (cancer in both eyes) and is legally blind in his remaining eye. He enjoys watching and discussing movies with his wife, making music with his son, and running with his dog.
Wes is passionate about advocating for those
with mental health conditions and physical disabilities. You can follow him on Tiktok @wesprofile
Wes H
by Bipolar disorder
Current age: 34
Age at diagnosis: 30
Location: North Carolina
veronica
seguin
Current age: 25
Age at diagnosis: 21
Location: Tampa, Florida
Hannah blum
Current age: 35
Age at diagnosis: 20
Location: Washington, D.C.
Veronica is a mental health advocate and creative. Diagnosed at 21 with bipolar disorder (type I), borderline personality disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) and complex post-traumatic stress disorder (C-PTSD), she shares her journey to destigmatize mental health challenges and empower others. Managing her conditions with medications
like lamotrigine, buspirone, propranolol,
and Strattera, she also engages in cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectical behavioral therapy.
Through her advocacy, Veronica aims to inspire others to find hope and resilience in the face
of mental health challenges.
You can find her on YouTube @ALTERDiVA, Instagram @thealterdiva and TikTok @thealterdiva
Veronica Seguin
Hannah is a mental health activist, author,
and creative director dedicated to breaking the
stigma and empowering those living with mental health conditions.
She is the author of “Oh Mind, Where Have You Gone Today?” and “The Truth About Broken: The Unfixed Version of Self-Love.” Hannah shares thought-provoking quotes, poems, and stories that inspire millions through her blog, Blooming Mind Press, and a global social media presence.
Living with bipolar disorder herself, Hannah
uses her platform to advocate for acceptance, understanding, and self-love, making a lasting effect in the mental health community.
Hannah Blum
hannah
camp johnson
Current age: 28
Age at diagnosis: 19
Location: Birmingham, AL
Hannah was first diagnosed with bipolar disorder as a teenager after her first inpatient hospitalization. Later, 6 years into her PsyD studies, she received diagnoses of epilepsy, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and other conditions and became chronically ill and disabled.
Currently, she is a content creator who makes videos to help people with physical and mental health conditions. You can find her on TikTok and Instagram @spoonfulofhan.
Hannah Camp Johnson
Rasheed Clarke
Rasheed Clarke is a radio broadcaster, blogger, and marketing specialist in Toronto, Canada. He was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2008. To help him and others better understand the condition, he has written a book of short stories about living with UC. After various treatments failed to get his UC under control, he had his colon removed in 2013, and has been living with a J-pouch since 2014. Rasheed enjoys running, cycling, and hiking, and has raised thousands of dollars for Crohn’s and Colitis Canada through fundraising runs.
Rasheed Clarke
by Ulcerative Colitis
Current age: 40
Age at diagnosis: 24
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Erika Hillenmayer
Current age: 46
Age at diagnosis: 21
Location: Washington, NJ
CJ papuro
Current age: 30
Age at diagnosis: 24
Location: Manassas Park, VA
Erika Hillenmayer was diagnosed with UC at age 21 after having symptoms for years prior to her diagnosis. She received emergency surgery that led her to have a permanent ileostomy on her 30th birthday. Formerly a dance teacher, Erika remains active and lives to inspire others. She now channels her energy into her role as a personal assistant and finds solace in yoga and meditation. She also finds joy in having fun with her nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Erika Hillenmayer
Carlos Cabrera, also known as CJ Papuro, is a UC advocate for people of color. He is an ambassador for Color of Crohn’s & Chronic Illness (COCCI). As a personal fitness trainer, CJ shares his fitness inspirations on Instagram to encourage others living with UC to get active and take care of their body and mind. He was diagnosed with UC at age 24. Before UC, he served four years in the Marine Corps as an Amphibious Assault Vehicle operator.
CJ Papuro
Erika Hillenmayer
Current age: 46
Age at diagnosis: 21
Location: Washington, NJ
Erika Hillenmayer was diagnosed with UC at age 21 after having symptoms for years prior to her diagnosis. She received emergency surgery that led her to have a permanent ileostomy on her 30th birthday. Formerly a dance teacher, Erika remains active and lives to inspire others. She now channels her energy into her role as a personal assistant and finds solace in yoga and meditation. She also finds joy in having fun with her nieces, nephews, family and friends.
Erika Hillenmayer