West Brom midfielder Darren Fletcher is happy that he is able to use his experience from bowel disease to help the other sufferers.
The 33-year-old had to undergo reconstructive bowel surgery after he was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2011.
Fletcher, who made a complete recovery, has now become an ambassador for the charity Crohn's and Colitis UK.
He said: “Once people have a successful story, the contact fades and they're getting on with their life and I've probably helped them through the process. But then within a week, someone else will give you a number to speak to someone else.
“The biggest thing for me is that personal touch of being in constant contact through text or phone call. I really enjoy that. They know who they're talking to… and they find it quite bizarre, but after one phone call, they realise I'm not embarrassed by any subject.
“I'll talk about anything and I pretty much tell them my whole story and no embarrassment spared – and it seems to relax people. It doesn't matter if you're a Premiership footballer or what you are, illnesses don't pick and choose."
Meet our latest signing! New #Crohns & #Colitis UK Ambassador Darren Fletcherhttp://t.co/9TdEKCXMy8#IBDpic.twitter.com/5Fqey6BXui
— Crohn's & Colitis UK (@CrohnsColitisUK) January 26, 2015
