I'm Built For This - Dealing with Invisible illnesses

When I started the World Club Basketball Tournament - England C.I.C  in 2015, as a kidney transplant recipient (2010), the aim was to raise awareness on the need for more organ donors.  Fast forward to 2021, 4 tournaments later and a lifesaving surgery to have a stoma formed, I told my wife Mandi Douglin PC.dp I was going to stop organising WCBT. It was just to much physically, emotionally and mentally. But she encouraged me to continue, and use the event at a form of recovery therapy.  Thankfully she was right, and here we are in 2022, preparing to host our first event in basketball mad Spain, hosted by Dermot Russell of North Atlantic Basketball Academy.  We will also be returning to Washington-USA to host our second event there hosted by Ashley Robinson of the Kitsap Admirals. This is an excellent achievement and privilege to be asked to showcase WCBT overseas, but more importantly it shows that anything is possible.  Thanks Dermot Russell ,Ashley Robinson ...

Hi folks (if anyone is reading this) I've realised it's been a while since I last updated the I'm Built For This ' blog posts, so I'm back on the case. I have been very busy with various activities, presentations and events over the last 12 months or so, sharing my story on the kidney transplant in 2010, and Stoma surgery in 2021.  In addition to planning the return of the World Club Basketball Tournament in September 2022, the first since the Covid_19 lock down.  As a result the previous regular blog posts and stories slipped through the net, and the blog wasn't updated as I intended.  That's enough of my excuses, the stories and articles etc are back to shed a light and raise awareness on the impact of dealing with and overcoming invisible illnesses.  Thanks to: StomaTips Magazine  Bowel Research UK  Kidney Research UK  BBC South  Black and Raww  Diary of a Kidney Warrior  Welland Medical  Colostomy UK  Active Sussex  Sa...

TV Exposure for the World Club Basketball Tournament 2022.  Getting the World Club Basketball Tournament  C. I. C 2022 featured on mainstream TV with the BBC, to promote the sport and our objectives, was a fantastic achievement. We're looking forward to generating more exposure for British basketball, our charity partners and sponsors at #WCBT2023 this September. Its great  to be recognised as the UK's No1 International Pro Am basketball event  www.worldclubbasketballtournament.com   #Britishbasketball #basketball #Hoops #International #Professional #TV #Exposure #Media #BBC

 It was a privilege to join the Black & Raww podcast to share my kidney transplant story and raise awareness of the need for organ donors from the black community.  The black community is severely under represented when it comes to organ donation, and being able to share my journey will hopefully shed some light on the issue.  Thanks to Black & Raww for providing the opportunity.  The podcast is available on Spotify, below https://open.spotify.com/episode/47psUExw3zaPGBLQQEsHjr Eric Douglin joins me on the podcast to talk about his kidney Black & Raww podcast available via the Spotify link Health, Wealth, Development & Basketball https://open.spotify.com/episode/47psUExw3zaPGBLQQEsHjr journey. He Eric Douglin joins me on the podcast to talk about his kidney transplant journey. He talks about the trials and tribulations that he experienced during this time. He also discusses the social projects that were birthed because of his kidney transplant and...

Nice article in Tidings Magazine from one of  the World Club Basketball Tournament  C. I. C  charity partners Colostomy UK . It was great to have Colostomy UK on site to raise awareness on those impacted by Stomas and other invisible illnesses. Looking forward to working with this excellent charity in the near future. www.worldclubbasketballtournament.com

My latest blog post for Bowel Research UK.  "In our latest blog post, Eric talks about his journey and how he wanted to get back to fitness after stoma surgery. You can find Eric's post on our website, it may give you a new perspective:"  A link to the story can be found below : https://www.bowelresearchuk.org/latest-news/walking-my-way-back-to-fitness/

Thank you to Kidney Research UK for inviting me to share our kidney transplant journey at the KRUK Gala Mandi Douglin Guest Speaking at the Kidney Research Gala Dinner   It was a privilege to have had the opportunity to share my story in front of such an esteemed group of people, including researchers, transplant recipients and donors and celebrities.  Kidney Research UK  are at the forefront of transforming lives are researching way to extend the lives of kidney transplant recipients. 

Thanks to Salts Healthcare , one of the main sponsors of the World Club Basketball Tournament  C. I. C , for the article promoting our advocacy partnership, and raising awareness on stomas and associated invisible illnesses. Visit their website for the full article below. Looking forward to working with Salts Healthcare in 2023 https://www.salts.co.uk/en-gb/news-and-events/eric-douglin-founder-of-world-club-basketball-tournament?PID=91&Action=1Salts Healthcare Article

Here's an article I wrote on my journey  preparing for the World Club Basketball Tournament  C. I. C for the first time since having a stoma. The link to the story is below.  https://www.stomatips.com/features/article/hosting-international-basketball-with-a-stoma Thanks to StomaTips Magazine for sharing my  story. https://www.stomatips.com/features/article/hosting-international-basketball-with-a-stoma

Really enjoyed delivering a series of presentations to the staff & Executives at Welland Medical ,sponsors of the World Club Basketball Tournament  C. I. C  Eric Douglin & Kirsty Robinson of Welland Medical   Welland are one of Europe's major  specialialist in the design, development and manufacture of ostomy bags and accessories. It was great to provide an insight into WCBT and our objectives of raising awareness on those impacted with stomas and other invisible illnesses. Thanks to all at Welland for sponsoring WCBT2022, and allowing me to share my story to the excellent, engaged and inquisitive audience.  Link to the Welland Medical story  website  https://wellandmedical.com/eric-douglin-visits-welland/

World Club Basketball Founder – wins Sussex Sports Award Volunteer of the Year Award 2022 . Eric Douglin, founder of the World Club Basketball Tournament was crowned winner of the Sussex Sports Award Volunteer of the Year 2022, at the Sussex Sports Award ceremony last week (24/11/2022). Eric also finished runner up in the Outstanding Contribution to Sports & Physical category. Eric was already thrilled to be nominated in 2 categories, but to make the top 3 shortlist in both, was icing on the cake.   Background The World Club Basketball Tournament, an annual team event for overseas and domestic senior men’s teams, was founded in 2015 to provide opportunities for players around the world to compete in international competition.  Kidney Transplant    Eric received a kidney from his wife Mandi in 2010, after being diagnosed with chronic kidney disease in 2005, a partnership was formed with Kidney Research UK. Eric is currently an ambassador for Kidney Research U...

Thank you to the Daily Express for sharing our kidney transplant story, and the opportunities the Gift of Life has given me over the years.  It was great to raise awareness on the positive impact of organ donation in the mainstream media.  Link to the story below 👇  https://www.express.co.uk/life-style/health/1730817/Eric-Douglin-kidney-transplant-wife-daughter-wedding

Thanks to Bowel Research UK for sharing part 2 of my stoma story to raise awareness on those impacted by invisible illnesses. #Invisibleillnesses  🔗 👇  https://www.bowelresearchuk.org/latest-news/waking-up-in-hospital-with-stanley-the-stoma/ Bowel Research Blog Story Part 2

I was pleased to have been asked to share my stoma story by Bowel Research UK, to raise awareness on stoma conditions.  I wrote a couple of blogs for them which will follow shortly.  Here is my introduction.  _________________________________________  "Meet Eric. Eric will be joining us as a regular blogger writing about his experiences of living with a stoma. He has already kindly taken part in our #auguts #HaveYouGotTheGuts campaign, where he explains why he actively supports speaking publicly about his stoma and how it helps others to be open about their bowel diseases.  https://www.bowelresearchuk.org/about-us/getting-to-know/getting-to-know-guest-blogger-eric-douglin/ #stoma #stomastigma 

I was privileged to have been invited to share my kidney transplant story with Dee Moore of the Diary of a Kidney Warrior Podcast. Please feel free to have a listen. 🎙 🎙  'Diary of a  Kidney Warrior' Podcast Episode 64: Eric’s Kidney Warrior Story Eric Douglin joins  Dee Moore to share his inspirational Kidney Warrior story. Eric shares about: his diagnosis of end stage renal failure, his journey to accepting his diagnosis, receiving a kidney transplant from his wife Mandi , & paying it forward through kidney health advocacy.  Eric shares advice and the lessons he has learned during his Kidney Warrior Journey.      Out now on: Podbean https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-rdebf-1276313 Apple Podcasts https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/diary-of-a-kidney-warrior-podcast/id1529196456?i=1000570266691 Spotify https://open.spotify.com/episode/4SlX0TuomNWsdvsoLpXxGy?si=_cyi2KdRSQmubUA6LuAcLw YouTube https://youtu.be/5IfJZDd6kvo

It had just gone past 2am on a Sunday morning, and I have just got off of a WhatsApp call with another basketball coach in the USA who wants to bring his team to compete in the World Club Basketball Tournament.    Although it was a good call and the coach and I discussed many subjects, including the Queens Platinum Jubilee (I don’t know why), I was very tired, bleary eyed and a headache was looming through the lack of sleep.                   It's Good To Be Back!!               The Stoma Saved my Life This was the third consecutive night I had been on a late night/ early morning call with an overseas coach or basketball organisation, either discussing WCBT or just having a conversation about basketball in general.                 On another transatlantic call  As I got upstairs my wife Mandi, woke up and said she was just a...

Special Moments There were some things in my life when I was a young man I looked forward to or had mapped out in my head, to achieve by certain various chaotic timescales. Some of these plans have come to fruition, others have not and are still  on Eric’s To Do List’. When I was around 14 years old, I remember compiling a massive list of these things in my orange fluffy padlocked diary (which my brother broke into) that I wanted to achieve when I was older. Some of my wild aspirations included, and in no particular order are listed below: Eric’s To Do List circa 1977 Making the school sports team Having my first kiss (before the age of 18) (Failed) Passing my driving test at 17 Drinking my first pint of Special Brew (Shandy Bass) Smoking a cigarette (Failed) Getting a girlfriend before my twin brother. Travelling the world Playing football for Arsenal or being employed at the Co Op. (Google it) Getting my own place at 18 Having children but not before 30. Scaring th...

Happy Kidneyversary to 'MEric'my donor Kidney ,  As of 15th January 2010 you have been in my body keeping me alive for the last 12 years. Your previous owner looked after you very well, apart from the odd cigarette and bottles of Pink Lady and Lambrusco, while hitting the disco back in the day.  Like your previous owner you are one of the most stubborn, feisty and resilient living things I have been fortunate to come across.  You 'MEric' have certainly taking a licking but you keep on ticking'.  But for the selflessness and humility of your generous owner, there is a strong possibility I would not be here today.  It's strange to think of all the wonderful experiences I would have missed out on, the grandchildren I would not have met, and the fantastic people across the world, who I would not have had the pleasure to meet.  In addition just over 3 months time I get to walk my beautiful daughter Lauren, down the aisle.  'MEric' you made that possible....

The Story of 2021 So Far!  What can I say about 2021 and my first year with 'Stanley the Stoma' ? ……."It's been emotional " Since 2010, the month of January has always been the month in which I celebrated receiving a gift of life kidney transplant from my wife Mandi, on the 15 th   January 2010.  But now there was a new date to add to the calendar which will also have an added significance . On January 3rd 2022, I ‘celebrated’ the first year of receiving a Stoma  https://blackmenshealth.org.uk/2021/06/18/my-stoma-story-im-still-standing/    after my bowel ruptured, and I was dragged forcibly to hospital my Mandi in excruciating pain proclaiming “I’ll be ok in the morning, just give me a paracetamol”   Little did I know at the time, that I was literally 24hrs from dying with sepsis after being diagnosed with diverticulitis. Filming an awareness video for Sepsis UK   As my stomaversary (yes that’s a thing), has been getting closer this week , I have...