Edited by Peter R. Berlin and Jerry Stone; 341 pages. From the book cover: "The #1 Misdiagnosed Intestinal Disorder. Millions have it and don't know it. Could you be one of them? Learn from others' experiences."
Like sitting in a support group or reading messages on online bulletin boards -- where, in fact, many of these stories originated -- reading this book involves listening to the voices of those affected by Celiac Disease as they tell their stories, share their best suggestions, and offer support.
- Sometimes moving, sometimes humorous, always personal stories
- Perspectives from children, teens, parents, adults and seniors
- Easy-to-read book filled with short essays and poems
- If you or a loved one have Celiac Disease, this book will make you feel less alone
- If you're undiagnosed but suspicious, this book will spur you to get tested
- Not much really hard information on Celiac Disease or gluten-free diets
- Quite a bit of repetition from one story to another
- You could save the cost of the book and read most of this on online message boards
- Does have good information for parents, but majority of stories are of adults with celiac
- Chapter 1: Finding Out What's Wrong
- Chapter 2: Celiac: An Inherited Disease
- Chapter 3: My New Life
Chapter 4: Living with Celiac - Chapter 5: My Child Has Celiac
- Chapter 6: Making It Easier for Our Children
- Chapter 7: Being a Teen with Celiac
- Chapter 8: Senior Celiacs
Chapter 9: Success with Celiac - Chapter 10: Travel Tales
- Chapter 11: Recipes for Success
- Chapter 12: Tips, Tricks and Smiles
Doctors dismiss it. Family members disbelieve it. Friends disregard requested precautions. And even those who fear they may have it are dismayed at its dietary restrictions. But according to "A Personal Touch on ... Celiac Disease," something like one out of every 133 Americans has Celiac Disease, and if you don't know someone who does, the one in 133 might be you.
If these stories of chasing a diagnosis from one incompetent doctor to another are any indication, getting a confirmation of Celiac Disease for yourself or your child may be at least as hard as altering your diet to eliminate gluten. But both will be a lot easier with the help and support in these pages, offered by people who have been there and found a way to survive and thrive. Many of the writers are parents telling their children's stories, and giving their hard-earned advice on how to make a gluten-free diet work for your little one, at home, at school, and at birthday parties.
This is a book to read if you're curious about Celiac Disease, if you wonder if you should pursue a diagnosis for your child, or if you have a diagnosis and are wondering how on earth you'll go on with life. It's not a book to read for an in-depth understanding of the disease, or specific instructions for starting a gluten-free diet. But with the world at large still treating Celiac Disease as something rare and unimaginably difficult to deal with, a little realistic support and humor are pretty desirable things.
