Speedy Brooke and now Marina

[genlock]

HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- Meteorologists are used to the weather being unpredictable. In many ways, life can follow that same path.

Years ago, WSAZ Meteorologist Marina Jurica was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. She wanted to tell her story to give others hope and help them realize they can still follow their dreams, regardless of the obstacles.

Watch the story that aired Tuesday on NewsChannel 3 Today.

You can watch the second part of her series Wednesday morning on NewsChannel 3 Today

[EZ103.3FM]

It's good she's doing this...more info and understanding about Crohn's & ulceritive colitis.

A woman in my office has Crohn's. She saw the report and said Marina's case is pretty bad - much worse than hers. That's based on the level of medication Marina had to take to get her disease more under control.

[EZ103.3FM]

Both parts of the story are now on WSAZ.com.
http://www.wsaz.com/home/headlines/45410637.html

The story has generated many responses from Crohn's patients and their families - they're at the bottom of that page.

Also, Marina has the lead role of Nellie Forbush in the upcoming production of South Pacific by the Charleston Light Opera Guild....

[genlock]

She's only doing this for attention! She milks her disease for attention. If it were really as bad as she says then there's no way she could do what she could do!

Does she do really "special" things?

[The Interpreter]

Oh, stop it. You have no way of knowing how sick she is or isn't. You are being as mean as Mark Halliburn can be...and there's no excuse for it. There, but for the grace of God and/or chance, goeth you...or me.

[EZ103.3FM]

This wasn't a look at me....this was an honest look at a disease that is more common that you'd think and is misunderstood. I know/knew four people personally who have/had Crohn's (one is deceased). I talked this evening to my best friend from high school (we graduated 35 years ago). He said his father had Crohn's so long ago he actually met Dr. Crohn.

Look at the comments on the page with the links to the story. Many living with Crohn's themselves or with family members afflicted are very glad she and WSAZ did the stories.