Sweet Faces of Celiac Disease: Meet Ashlee

Ashlee is 5 1/2 yrs. old and was diagnosed with celiac disease at 4 years old. 

What symptoms were you or your child having before being diagnosed?

Ashlee's symptoms started at 3. It took us almost 9 months to get diagnosed. The biggest symptom was one day when she couldn't move; it took 2 hours for her to be able to move. She went to the doctor 40-some times in that 9 months. The doctor kept giving my daughter antibiotics claiming she had UTIs and I wasn't sure that was the real reason for her pain especially because she kept complaining of stomach aches. I brought up my husband's stomach issues (he had bleeding ulcers a long time ago) in hopes it would lead us down another path - and it did, at the children's hospital with a GI doctor where she was diagnosed (off the charts) that day! They don't think she had ever digested her food. Looking back, I realize she also had a protruding belly that we missed.

Any other family members diagnosed with celiac disease?

No.

How has your life or your child's life changed since being diagnosed?

She is so much happier. She no longer visits the doctor several times a week. She no longer complains about stomach pains (unless she is glutened which is rare - she now projectile vomits when glutened, too). She doesn't enjoy being "different" from her friends but they seem to enjoy being like her and often claim they have to eat gluten-free too; it's pretty cute. She will start kindergarten in the fall and we know a new journey awaits.

Being that 83% of those with celiac disease are UNDIAGNOSED, what are some ways we can encourage more awareness of the disease and its multiple symptoms?

I talk to people about celiac disease constantly whether through my blog (itsallaboutty.blogspot.com - click the giant Celiac Disease button) or on Facebook. We participate in the FARE Walk and we teach people at school, church, anywhere we go. People are just so unaware; most are willing to listen if you just take the time to explain to them. I think it does help that I have a child with it. 

Thank you Mom for sharing Ashlee's story. Being persistent and doing everything we can as parents to get our child on the right path to being healthy is all we can do! Thank you for raising awareness of celiac disease and I'm happy to see Ashlee smiling! :)