Describe your life prior to diagnosis.
My name is Jennifer Ritter, M.Ed., and I am a dedicated advocate for celiac awareness, a children’s author, and an educator with a strong commitment to promoting inclusion and diversity. Holding a Master’s degree in Education, I combine my extensive knowledge and experience to empower children, particularly those with celiac disease.
Driven by empathy and a passion for making a positive impact, I utilize my platform to raise awareness about the challenges of living with celiac disease. Through my thoughtfully crafted children’s books, I aim to cultivate empathy, emotional resilience, and understanding in young readers while encouraging acceptance of those with dietary restrictions.
I wrote these books because I wanted to create resources that not only educate but also empower young readers living with celiac disease. I understand the importance of ensuring children feel seen and supported, especially in environments like schools, where navigating dietary needs can present challenges. These books are designed to do more than tell stories—they serve as tools to promote inclusion, foster empathy, and encourage understanding among peers and educators alike.
Through my writing, I aim to help children build confidence and resilience as they learn to manage their dietary needs. These books also serve as a means to spark important conversations, raise awareness, and create spaces where every child feels a sense of belonging. Whether in the classroom or at home, my hope is that these stories will inspire a sense of community, empower children to advocate for themselves, and help others better understand what it means to live with celiac disease. Ultimately, I aspire for these books to make a meaningful difference in the lives of children and the families and educators who support them.
How did you find out that you had a gluten sensitivity? Did you suspect it beforehand?
I went to the doctor after a year or so of pain, bloating and cramping. My general practitioner told me to get off gluten for six weeks and see how I managed. I felt so much better and she told me to stay off and go see a gastroenterologist. By the time he did the endoscopy he said I had the celiac gene but nothing in the colonoscopy or endoscopy indicated celiac because I had already been off gluten for a year by then. So he labeled me gluten intolerant, while my daughter (23) went through the same problems a year later, she stayed on gluten, and was diagnosed with celiac disease.
How long did it take for you to get diagnosed since your first symptoms?
It took almost two years before I knew actually what was going on as to why I had so much intestinal pain. If I had stayed on a gluten diet, I would have probably received the proper celiac diagnosis.
Describe your experience living with celiac disease.
It was an adjustment for the first year emotionally. I also had to learn so much about eating gluten-free safely, it was very overwhelming. But once I started to feel empowered, I decided to write two children’s books about the exclusion but then empowerment of the characters in my story books. As a teacher, both the story settings are in schools. They were picked up by a publisher just months back. “The Magical Cookie” and “Jacq has Celiac”, also on Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble and my instagram, @glutenfreetravelstheworld.
What would a cure mean for you?
It would be an emotional relief. As a frequent world traveler, it would mean freedom! I would no longer have to research and plan so much for our international travels around the world.
