At the age of 37, Joshua Nelson was diagnosed with Inflammatory Bowel Disease Ulcerative Colitis in November 2017. Within one year, he was evaluated by Inflammatory Bowel Disease experts from Rochester Mayo Clinic and University of Minnesota Medical Center due to his deteriorating condition. He was elevated to biologics and combination therapies in an effort to manage his Ulcerative Colitis. After failing maximum medical therapies, it was determined to surgically remove his colon in November 2018 at the age of 38. In February 2019, the final surgery was completed making his ileostomy permanent. Since the decision to remove is colon, his health has returned, requires zero medication, no specialized diet, and no further complications from Ulcerative Colitis. On a side note, he is the first documented case of continued flight status as an Air Force Pilot. He is a member of the United Ostomy Association of America, Ostomy Association of the Minneapolis Area and Crohn’s Colitis Foundation.