Defining Purpose: My Fight with Ulcerative Colitis

by Brian Davies, Brian Myers

When Brian graduated college, Ulcerative Colitis destroyed the life he thought he was building. It caused years of illness complications, agonizing pain, series of blood clots, led to removal of an organ, and due to gangrene it caused the amputation of his right leg.During the ensuing struggles to get back to life, a decision was made to return to goal setting and to dedicate himself to reaching new heights. In losing so much, Brian gained even more. With the support of his friends and family, Brian received his master's degree from Johns Hopkins, walked parts of the Great Wall, went through parts of the Alps, biked through Europe, worked in professional sports, covered national championships, played hockey with Team USA, went to combat, and more. His story is one of perseverance through all adversity to give everything he has to the goals he sets. As he puts it, "those who fought with me through this adversity were above average, so I have to be for me and them."Challenge what you believe you can do so that there will be nothing preventing you from reaching your goals. Brian's goals were complicated from obstacles, largely due to deadly illness complications, but with these principles and the support of those around him, he did not allow anything to stop him. Perseverance, hard work, and determination keep defining his life today.

157 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 1, 2021

About the author

Brian Davies is a Dominican friar and Professor of Philosophy at Fordham University, New York. He has published extensively on the thought of St Thomas Aquinas.

Reviews

[Lynn Reynolds · Rating 4 out of 5]

The writing is unpolished and could have definitely used a good proofreader. And normally that would be enough to make me stop reading. BUT this is a very important and inspiring story about coping with a painful chronic illness that is often kept hidden (especially by men) on account of shame and embarrassment. Brian Davies has overcome a lot and his story should give hope to others struggling with ulcerative colitis or adapting to life with an unexpected disability.