Hello. My name is Chynna, and I am a 16 year-old teen living with celiac disease. My story, however, begins a few years ago, the summer before seventh grade. During my yearly checkup, my pediatrician noticed that I had experienced total growth arrest. My mother had noticed that something was wrong earlier (I frequently stumbled, and had terrible headaches), but her ideas were often dismissed. Thus, my family and I began a journey that included various hospital visits throughout the northeast. An M.R.I. indicated demyelination, or the fraying of the myelin sheaths on my cerebellum. The doctors we visited warned us of the possibility of tumors and M.S., both of which could have impaired my growth. However, after several months of many visits to the doctor, a wonderful endocrinologist decided to test me for celiac disease. Finally, we had an answer!
Our family was relieved by this diagnosis. Celiac disease can be easily managed, as long as one adheres to a gluten-free diet for the rest of their life. My headaches were not as severe and I grew several inches in only a year and a half.
I decided to embrace my disease, instead of hiding celiac from the world. After a few years of experimenting with different recipes, my family and I came up with the ideal bread recipe. I have started a bread company, My Kidz Gluten Free Products. The company sells at various health food stores in Dutchess County, New York.
I started this bread company in order to provide those with celiac (and primarily, young children), with a gluten-free bread that tasted no different from a slice of "wheat bread". No one should feel alienated at a party, or at school, because of their specialized diet.
My goal is to continue to increase awareness not only in Dutchess County, but throughout the country.
