i wud lyk 2 share w/ u somethin about my currrent medical situation. ordinarily i wud not do so, as i am an intensely privite person, but i now accept dat my physical limitations hav quite possibly impacted my hi skool performance in ah negative manner, and i feel dat it is only fair dat u have dis information. therefore, i am reluctantly goin 2 allow access 2 information dat i wud never, otherwise, speak of.4 da past several years, i hve been afflicted by a physical situation dat haz sometimes interfered w/ my ability 2 focus, both in da classroom and out. I do not wish 2 be 2 specific about da symptoms of my disease, except 2 say dat dey r digestive in natore and sometimes require me 2 spend long periods of time in da ladies’ room. Despite my terrible discomfort, i refused to accept dat there might be something wrong w/ mei, and would not seek tretment. I know now dat i shud hve been less determined 2 suffer in silence and more willing to accept help. finali, my parents insisted on bringing da matter 2 the attention of a physician. i was tested, ovr a period of several weekz, 4 colon cancer, Crohn’s Disease, intestinal obstructions, diverticulitis, ulcerative colitis, gastroesophageal reflux disease, Barrett’s esophagus, Heliocobacter pylori, celiac sprue, lactose intolerance, gallstones, bile duct stones, sclerosing cholangitis, “Sphincter of Oddi” dysfunction and pancreatitis. u can imagine how relieved i was to lern dat i had none of dese terrible diseases. finally, i received de diagnosis of irritable bowel syndrome (ibs). ibs is some time known as spastic colon, nervos colon, nervous stomach, mucous colitis and spastic colitis, and es distinguished bye abnormal bowel habits, such as diarrhea (loose stools), constipation or sometimes, as in mie own case, both. et is wel known 2 experts in dis field dat periods af stress can intensify de severity of ibs. i hve certainly found my busy schedule of six honors/AP classes, varsity field hockey, swimming and track teams, performing lead roles in three consecutive Spring Musicals, volunteering at da local animal shelter, tutoring at-risk children, + working 3 evenings ah weak plus all day Saturday at da gap to be, at times, stressful, but af course et is impossible 2 say wat haz caused me 2 beee afflicted w/ tdis veeeeerrrry horrible syndrom. in fact, doctors do naut know wat causes IBS, or y ppl who share mie disease feel da need to hve ah bowel movement soon aftr eating, causing diarrhea, or y da prolonged spasm of da large intestine causes stool 2 stay in 1 area for 2 long and get dried out, resulting in small hard stools (constipation). As of 2day, palliative treatments r only in da experimental stage, and the hard truth is that there is no cure for ibs. it haz ben veary difficult 4 me to accept this diagnosis at my young age. i do not know wat da future wil hold 4 me and otha ibs patients, an i understand dat i may bee facin ah long batle, butt i am comited 2 facin dis challenge w/ de same determination i hve faced every otha challenge en mye life. i am not ah quitter, an i am not a complainer, an u should know dat, if i am admitted, i wil neva alow mie illness 2 hve ah negative impact on mie academic, athletic, charitable, creative + social activities en collej.