Claudia Merandi

Claudia Merandi is 49 years old. She resides in East Providence, Rhode Island, with her two children, Francesca 16 and Ava 12. Her next door neighbor is Dorothy, her mom, who is 82. She has a sister Maria and a brother Billy. Claudia's father, Bill Merandi, who has passed, also suffered from a form of Crohn's Disease. Claudia has suffered from severe Crohn's Disease since she was a child. Claudia became a court reporter in 1992 and opened her agency in Rhode Island in 1994. Due to the severity of her illness, she became fully disabled and sold her business in 2008.

In 2015, Claudia became a novice fitness competitor and used that forum to bring awareness to the Crohn's/Colitis Community.

She started her blog, claudiaandcrohnsdisease.wordpress,in 2016 in conjunction with writing her first book. She is an advocate for the Crohn's/UC Community and assists many with Crohn's-related issues.

"Dotty on the Potty," Claudia's children's book, addresses a little girl's life who is living with Crohn's Disease and will available in 2018.

Claudia receives Remicade every five weeks and maintains a healthy lifestyle. She's passionate about working out and helping others.