Help Emmett Beat Colitis

My name is Emmett Radler. I am a happy, bright spirit living in Seattle, WA. I was diagnosed with severe ulcerative colitis in Dec 2015. Ulcerative colitis is an auto-immune disorder where the body attacks the colon, creating inflammation as well as an incredible amount of discomfort and pain. I had been living with symptoms but was unsure of exactly what was going on. Things started to worsen considerably around Thanksgiving. A friend finally rushed me to the ER after discovering I was having 20 bloody stools a day and had a high fever for several days.

My doctors were alarmed by my condition, which was very critical. They admitted me and began treating me with steroids, antibiotics, and medications designed to help the colon stop attacking itself and promote healing. We were able to see slight improvement after a week in the hospital, and I went home with a plan to treat the colitis with steroids and medication.



After about a week at home, I was back in the ER with worsening inflammation and severe infection. I had lost about 20 pounds and was extremely sick. At this point, the doctors were urging total removal of my colon. However, I was determined we could treat my colitis with medicine and diet, and was anxious to get back to my life.

The doctors put me on steroids again to treat the acute flair, and ramped up my treatment, infusions of remicade, a biologic agent used to inhibit immune response in the colon, as well as other medicines to help the colon heal.

After about month of rest, I thought I was ready to get back to work. I got a new job I was really excited about, but immediately started experiencing exacerbated symptoms. Within two weeks of being back to work, I was back in the ER with severe inflammation and worseing symptoms.

At this point, they had a surgeon literally run in and tell me the colitis was so bad that I would need to have my colon removed immediately. This terrified me and I was too scared to make a good decision. In retrospect, I wish I had had the emergency surgery, because it has proved exhausting to live with continued inflammation, and my condition now requires constant care. Surgery is still something to consider down the line, but it is intense and comes with a high risk of complications.

I remain hopeful that I can get my colitis into remission through a combination of remicade infusions every six weeks, a low-inflammation diet and most importantly, rest.  


Before being diagnosed with colitis, I was always Mr. Energy. I loved my job as a barista and was extremely active in my psychic and yoga communities. Now, my life has really changed. I spent most of 2016 resting and recovering at home. While eager to return to work, working has greatly exacerbated my symptoms and exhaustion, and I've spent a lot of days going between bathroom and bed.

I am very tired. I sleep about 12 hours a night and start to show symptoms of worsening inflammation if I do not have that much rest. The remicade is a godsend for controlling inflammation, but it also supresses my whole immune system, so even a small cold will have me out sick for a number of days.

This past year and half has been lonely and challenging for me. I've watched more TV in a year than I thought I'd watch in my entire life! After my third hospitalization, I became depressed, and that's something I've been dealing with ever since. I don't have the same energy or focus I used to, but it's starting to feel better as I reach out for support. 

The past year and half has been extremely stressful for me financially.  It has been extremely challenging to manage a severe illness and simultaneously pay my bills, especially with increased medical costs and the need to take several extended periods off work. I have often worked very obviously and evidently at the expense of my health, worsening my condition and continuing this cycle. I had a real wake-up call a few weeks ago when I was working and had another urgent and uncontrollable BM--I realized I needed to ask for help.


I am looking to raise $7,500 to help cover my ongoing and past-due medical expenses as well as cover my living expenses for the next couple months. My hope is that, by giving my body the time off it really needs, I'll be able to get this colitis into full remission and return to better health and energy.

I am really excited to return to my life. I have so much brightness to share with this world and would be so grateful for anything you could contribute towards helping me manage this illness and get back on my feet. 

I would be extremely grateful if you could pass this along, and grateful for any support you are able to offer at this time.

I love you all. Thank you.