As most of you know, our Sweet Little Leighton was diagnosed with Celiac Disease when she was two years old. It is a lifelong, autoimmune disease, with no known cure.
At this point, our only option is to adhere to a strict gluten-free diet. (Y'all. I know I've mentioned this before but it's worth mentioning again: gluten can be in ANYTHING. Lipstick. Toothpaste. Medications and vitamins. You name it.)
When we received LL's diagnosis, we knew very little about what it all truly meant and the impact it would have on her and our family. It's one of my goals now to help teach others and advocate for those living with Celiac Disease!
So, please forgive me if I'm repetitive!
Parties are hard. Feeling different is hard. For ANY child. We try, though, to always focus on the blessings!:
*Her early and quick diagnosis! (For the majority of Celiacs, it takes upwards of TEN years for a diagnosis. And the average age of diagnosis? 40-60 years old. We are LUCKY. So many suffer for much, much, much longer.)
*The availability of yummy gluten-free options!
*An amazing Grammy ELC and Pa-Pa that ALWAYS makes sure she has similar snacks to her friends!
*The awareness and empathy this disease has brought us towards anyone struggling with allergies or autoimmune disorders. We know it could be so much worse, and we try to remember that.
I hope, above all else, LL's diagnosis has made us a little more kind and willing to extend grace to EVERYONE, especially on the hard days when we feel left-out.
Thank you all for journeying with us these past (almost) FOUR years!
When we received LL's diagnosis, we knew very little about what it all truly meant and the impact it would have on her and our family. It's one of my goals now to help teach others and advocate for those living with Celiac Disease!
So, please forgive me if I'm repetitive!
Parties are hard. Feeling different is hard. For ANY child. We try, though, to always focus on the blessings!:
*Her early and quick diagnosis! (For the majority of Celiacs, it takes upwards of TEN years for a diagnosis. And the average age of diagnosis? 40-60 years old. We are LUCKY. So many suffer for much, much, much longer.)
*The availability of yummy gluten-free options!
*An amazing Grammy ELC and Pa-Pa that ALWAYS makes sure she has similar snacks to her friends!
*The awareness and empathy this disease has brought us towards anyone struggling with allergies or autoimmune disorders. We know it could be so much worse, and we try to remember that.
I hope, above all else, LL's diagnosis has made us a little more kind and willing to extend grace to EVERYONE, especially on the hard days when we feel left-out.
Thank you all for journeying with us these past (almost) FOUR years!
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