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:                                                  :
:            Excerpts from _CSGC News_             :
:            -------------------------             :
: April 1998                 Tanis Collard, editor :
:                Celiac Support Group for Children :
:                               11 Level Acres Rd. :
:                             Attleboro, MA  02703 :
:..................................................:


A Whole New Me! by Trisha Gould
-------------------------------
(Trisha is a sophomore at Mount Pleasant High School in Providence,
RI.  She is involved in the Natural Helper Program, likes science and
tennis, and is a certified Safe-Sitter in babysitting.  Trisha was
diagnosed in 1997 with celiac disease and wrote the following paper
for her school.  We commend her on a great job and admire her courage
to tell her story.)

The 1996-1997 school year had just begun.  Entering Mount Pleasant
High School, in Providence, as a freshman, I was both excited and
nervous.  I had decided to attend Mt. Pleasant instead of Classical
because my health was declining.  I was experiencing chronic abdominal
pain, which was so bad I was unable to function normally.  Having had
ulcers in the past, I was told to eat plain crackers when I wasn't
feeling well, and they made me feel worse.  I was taking many
medications, including those for pain.  Still, the pain remained and
worsened.

Following a traditional Italian Christmas Eve dinner (which included
anything and everything one could possibly eat), my abdominal pain was
the worst it had ever been.  I was admitted to the hospital because I
was unable to eat or sleep.  A small bowel biopsy was taken after
Christmas.

The results of the biopsy suggested either inflammatory bowel syndrome
or celiac disease (CD).  A blood test confirmed the diagnosis; I had
CD.  It is something I was born with, and does not have a cure.  The
only treatment is a gluten-free (GF) diet.  No longer was I allowed to
eat anything I wanted to.  Ordinary pastas, breads, cereals, and even
cookies and cakes were off limits!  The labels of the food I was to
eat must be read over and over and over again, to make sure it
contained no "hidden offenders" (such as malt) which contain gluten.

The two most distinct feelings I experienced were excitement and fear.
I was excited to finally know what was wrong with me.  I was also
scared; everything in my life was about to change, forever.  How was I
going to be able to go to dances, parties, the movies, and on dates
without driving myself crazy about what I was going to eat?  For many
years I was able to go out with my friends and not worry about a
thing.  Now, knowing I have CD, I must plan every step of my day,
before I step out of the door.  When going out with friends, I must
know where we're going and where we are going to eat, so I can plan
what I will have or bring with me.  The biggest concern I had was what
other people will think.  At church, people stare at me because I
don't receive communion.  It's impossible to tell everyone in the
parish my story so they understand.

Recently I went on an overnight trip with a few other students from
Mt. Pleasant to Camp Varnum in Narragansett.  This was the first time
I was going on an overnight trip anywhere since I was diagnosed.  A
lot of planning went into where I was going to cook and store my food.
Once I arrived everything ran smoothly.  There were no problems.  Even
though I had to make my own meals, I had a great time!  Some of the
guys even helped me cook.  I felt like there was nothing wrong with
me.  I was extremely comfortable in the situation I was most worried
about.  This June I will attend a week-long training program at Alton
Jones, similar to the one at Camp Varnum.

Many times I encounter people who sympathize for me.  I don't feel I
need sympathy.  There is no such thing as a perfect person; everyone
has their own flaws.  One of my many flaws is CD, but like everything
else, with the help and support of my family and friends, I will
continue to live a "normal" life, whatever that means.

It is important to remember, no matter how bad you are feeling, there
is always someone worse off than you are.  Look to friends and family
for support and hope when you need it.  Differences make the
individual person stronger.

                            -=-=-   -=-=-

Cains Foods:  The following Cains products are gluten-free:  all
natural mayonnaise, light reduced calorie mayonnaise, reduced fat
mayonnaise dressing, fat free mayonnaise dressing, tartar sauce, sweet
relish, kosher dill pickles (whole, chips, spears, and sandwich cuts),
and sweet cucumber pickles (chips and sandwich cuts).  The distilled
vinegar and modified food starch are derived from corn.  For more
information, call 508-772-0300.