Brandon Stewart, Toledo ‘15, never thought he would travel internationally. He has Crohn’s Disease, and was told that he would never reach remission or be able to travel extensively. 

Then, he joined SigEp.

“After I joined SigEp, I engulfed myself in the Balanced Man Program,” says Stewart. “And before I knew it, I started to reach remission.”

Through diligent exercise, eating habits, and living a balanced life, Stewart was able to achieve and retain a complete remission. 

And so, he decided to travel. 

“My chapter mentor told me to chase after my interests,” says Stewart. “I saw the opportunity to go help people in need in Belize, and now that I was physically able to travel, I decided to go.”

In May, Stewart spent 10 days in Belize with International Service Learning, a program that allows students to administer basic health services to families in developing countries. As someone who has medical needs himself, Stewart was especially able to appreciate their need for medical attention. 

“The people were so thankful that we gave them general health care,” Stewart said. “That’s just something we take advantage of in the United States.”

Stewart summarizes his experience in Belize in one word – humbling. 

“From SigEp I learned the importance of truly being a balanced man,” he says. “If it wasn’t for the life lessons I learned from SigEp, who knows where I would have been.”