Dedication

This book is dedicated to the memory of Sally Read, who was a visionary, and who was one of the first people to utilize an internet discussion board to share her experiences with others who had been diagnosed with microscopic colitis.  Apparently the earliest internet source of support for people diagnosed with the disease was created by Judy Malinowski, who founded a newsletter service known as the MC/CC Club, back in August of 1995.  Archives of posts to her site can be found here:

http://web.archive.org/web/20030506015942/http://www.malinowski.com/colitis.htm

Of course, Sally was a member of the MC/CC Club.  After 6 or 7 years, Judy began to devote her time to writing books on snorkeling, and the last newsletter was posted on February 23, of 2003.  In order to provide a place for patients with microscopic colitis to continue to meet online, to share experiences and support, Sally created a website, and added what was arguably the first true discussion board for this disease.

She was truly one of the pioneers of the concept of internet discussion and support groups dedicated to finding treatment solutions for a disease that was considered to be rare, and for which no long-term treatment, that was both safe and reliable, was available, at the time of her diagnosis, back in 1999.  Her personal story can be read here:

http://web.archive.org/web/20021203062107/www.microscopiccolitis.org/sallyread/id9.html

Sally’s efforts helped to pave the way for all of the discussion boards dedicated to the support of patients who have microscopic colitis, that followed.  Her open-minded approach, and the atmosphere of compassion and unconditional love, that she maintained on her discussion board, helped to make life easier for countless others who found themselves walking the same path, trying to find support, and searching for ways to control their symptoms, when their doctors were unable to help them.  Those of us who have microscopic colitis owe both Judy Malinowski and Sally Read a huge debt of gratitude, for their pioneering efforts to make life easier for others suffering from the disease.

Sally left this world in December of 2009.  Those of us who knew her can’t help but wonder if the massive heart attack that she suffered may have been associated with the side effects of years of treatment with prednisone, to control her microscopic colitis symptoms.  She died far too young, but she left a legacy of happy memories in our hearts, and we are so grateful that she shared a part of her life with us, because the inspiration and the hope that she brought to those of us suffering from what seemed to be a hopeless disease, and the empathy that she taught us, is priceless.