As Ava is a minor, her story is told by a parent
Describe your child’s life prior to diagnosis:
Before Ava’s diagnosis, she loved to eat pasta. She started to get very bloated and barely grew. For a couple years, we did not know what was causing these symptoms so she continued to eat gluten.
How did you come to know (or suspect) that your child has celiac disease?
Ava was very bloated, and for three straight years she grew less than an inch. We were also concerned because her shoe size had stayed the same for an extended period of time.
The doctor decided to run a blood test for celiac disease, and when it came back positive, Ava went for an endoscopy, which clearly confirmed the diagnosis.
How long did it take for your child to get diagnosed since their first symptoms and what (if any) challenges did you face along the way?
Ava first started showing symptoms around age five, in kindergarten, and was finally diagnosed with celiac disease around age eight, in third grade.
Her favorite foods were pasta and cookies, so it was definitely hard to transition to a life without these foods, but the family quickly found substitutes that were just as good and safe for Ava to eat.
Describe your child’s experience with living with celiac disease:
Throughout the years, it has gotten much easier. Ava’s food palate has become much more diverse, and she has grown to love chicken, sushi and salads. She also still loves pasta, but friends and family are able to easily find a restaurant that can accommodate her needs wherever we go.
