Rosie White Celebrates the Little Wins

Former professional soccer player turned coach, public speaker, and TV sports commentator Rosie White relishes a challenge. But at a major international tournament, she faced her biggest one yet: moderate to severe ulcerative colitis (UC).

UC is a disease in which the lining of the colon becomes inflamed and can develop tiny open sores, which are also called ulcers. It’s a chronic, lifelong condition that is estimated to affect 600,000 to 900,000 people in the United States.

“It started while I was playing in an international soccer game for the New Zealand national team,” said Rosie. “I experienced abnormal bowel function, pain, and saw blood in my stool.”

Finding the Right Diagnosis

Rosie struggled to find the right diagnosis.

“Finding the right doctor and treatment can be tough when you’re already overwhelmed by your disease,” she said. “In sports, we learn to celebrate the little wins, and dealing with UC is so similar.”

In sports, we learn to celebrate the little wins, and dealing with UC is so similar.

Rosie’s advice? Tackle one task at a time and recalibrate success. “Make a very detailed list of action-items to help manage your UC, and cross off one tiny step today. Things you could do could be to track your symptoms and diet, set up future doctor appointments, try to plan in advance for days that take you off schedule and keep a running list of questions before your doctor’s appointment.” Rosie encourages others to be honest about their UC experiences when speaking to family, friends or doctors. “Any step—no matter how small it may feel—can help to keep you on track with your UC and keep you moving forward.”

Taking Back Control

After experiencing multiple flares over several years, Rosie was determined to take back control of her condition and find an option that helped her symptoms. Following a move to Seattle, Rosie found a new gastroenterologist who educated her on the importance of consistently taking her prescribed medications, even when she was feeling better, to help with her UC symptoms. By having honest conversations, speaking up about her symptoms and building a productive partnership with her doctor, Rosie was able to identify the appropriate UC therapy for her.

With a treatment plan that works for her, UC no longer dominates Rosie’s train of thought and she actively pursues some of the interests and activities she loves every day. She has been able to handle the transition from actively playing to coaching, public speaking and TV sports commentating with confidence.

Any step—no matter how small it may feel—can help to keep you on track with your UC and keep you moving forward.

—Rosie
A real ZEPOSIA patient compensated for her time.

Watch Rosie’s story