Sweet Faces of Celiac Disease: Meet Maddie and Sydney

Twin sisters, Maddie and Sydney are 11 years old and were diagnosed at 7 years old with celiac disease. 

At what age was your child diagnosed with celiac disease?

7 years old

What symptoms was your child having before being diagnosed?

Maddie: Upset tummy, runny stool her entire life, random vomiting and rash

Sydney: After Maddie’s diagnosis, her allergist wanted Sydney tested. At the time she had no obvious symptoms. She took a blood test and did a scope for a biopsy and she was also positive for celiac.  Looking back to when she was much younger, she was always underweight and could barely make 5% of weight for her height and age. 

Any other family members diagnosed with celiac disease?

No

How has your child’s life changed since being diagnosed?

For Maddie, her stomach aches went away and once we found gluten-free food she liked her eating also became much better.  She put on weight and grew taller as well. 

Sydney has always had a good appetite and was never a picky eater but she was always small for her age and was always below the 5% on the growth chart.  Once she went gluten-free she also put on weight and grew taller as well.

What advice would you offer a parent who’s child was just diagnosed with celiac disease?

Try to find a support group so you can connect with others going through the same thing or those that are further along on the journey that can guide you. Educate your child. Respect what they are going through. Expect that you will be educating family, friends, and strangers about celiac. Accept that most people aren't in the know about it and it doesn't mean they don't care.

Maddie and Sydney, you both look beautiful and healthy! I hope you're both doing great! It's a blessing to have each other on this journey of living gluten-free.