Our Story
In the summer of 2009, my 4-year-old daughter, Katherine, began complaining occasionally of stomach aches and of being tired. She didn’t double over in pain; she didn’t cry or wince; she just stated that her tummy hurt. I mentioned it to her doctor, and we agreed to keep monitoring Katherine’s diet and disposition. After about a month of this occasional discomfort, our pediatrician suggested blood work. She tested Katherine for many things, Celiac Disease being one of them. When her blood tests came back positive, Katherine was sent to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center for an upper endoscopy with biopsies. When the results came in, our daughter Katherine was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, and we were told to eliminate all gluten from her life.
I immediately went grocery shopping. Thanks to my cousin’s husband who has Celiac, I knew enough to know that I didn't know enough! I only bought fruits and vegetables and then I went home and emailed my cousin for help. We grocery shopped and talked for three hours! Without her help, I don't know what I would have done. She taught me so much about the disease and about the gluten-free lifestyle that is essential to living with this disease. Connecticut Children’s Medical Center then had us meet with a nutrition expert who shared even more valuable information with us.
As a stay-at-home mom, I made it my job to read everything I could about Celiac Disease and gluten-free living. When Katherine’s gastroenterologist told me that the rest of my family needed to be tested since this is a hereditary disease, I told him we would definitely get tested. I proceeded to explain that I knew I didn’t have the disease. However, for Katherine’s sake, I would proceed with the testing. Imagine my surprise when my blood test came back borderline Celiac, then my upper endoscopy biopsies came back positive for Celiac Disease. I was truly shocked since I didn’t think I had any of the symptoms. After getting back my results, I read and researched more, and I began to attend seminars on the disease.
We were so blessed to have a wonderful pediatrician who caught this disease in my daughter. Dr. Maureen Onyirimba saved not only my daughter, but she saved me. I’ve read that, on average, a child will visit eight pediatricians before being diagnosed with Celiac Disease, and it takes approximately eleven years for a person with symptoms to get diagnosed with our disease. For Katherine, it took just one amazing doctor.
The more I read about our disease, the more I realized I had some symptoms of it, and I never realized it. The strange tingling sensations that I got on occasion in my hands and feet were due to peripheral neuropathy, the increasing size of my abdomen was due to bloating from being undernourished, the loss of enamel on my teeth was not from brushing too hard as I had always been told, and the difficulties I had in getting pregnant and the miscarriages I suffered may have been due to this disease as well.
Gluten is to blame for so many problems my daughter and I have encountered. Gluten may have caused some irreversible damage to me, but I plan to do everything I can to keep it from harming my daughter and others. That is what brought me to my business idea. As a former teacher and corporate trainer, I have a good background in educating others. I have extensive knowledge from countless hours of research, expert physicians, and seminars. I know the need is out there, and I hope to help others like my cousin helped Katherine and me.
As for Katherine and me, we are doing just fine. We call ourselves the Gluten-Free Girls, and we remain upbeat and optimistic about our lifestyle. While we are super careful and always vigilant, we do our best to have fun and to try new foods and new recipes.
Contact Gluten-Free Guidance
Gluten Free Guidance provides practical information for living a gluten-free life. All medical concerns and questions should be addressed to your doctor or
other appropriate medical professional. The information provided does not substitute for care and/or diagnosis from a medical professional.
other appropriate medical professional. The information provided does not substitute for care and/or diagnosis from a medical professional.
