~Theresa B., GIG Chairperson, Iowa

  In 2003, our son Cooper’s health began to concern us.  He struggled with headaches, stomach aches, tics, and an overall sick feeling.  After a year of symptoms that seemed to worsen by the week, we were told about Celiac Disease.  Cooper’s blood tests were inconclusive because of an IgA deficiency, but some antibody levels were elevated.  His endoscopy was normal, which was also confusing. Others we met and read about had normal endoscopy results, but positive blood work and family histories.  So, we decided to try the diet.  After only two weeks, Cooper showed a marked improvement.  His revitalized health was enough to convince us that a gluten intolerance was causing his declining health. He has been gluten free ever since. (And mostly headache, stomachache, and tic free too!)
In doing research on behalf of Cooper, I (Melanie) realized that I had been experiencing most of  the symptoms I was reading about for years, but had always thought these things were “normal for me.”  I was tested through Dr. Kenneth Fine’s lab in Dallas,TX,  Enterolab.  I was referred to him by the daughter of a friend in Texas who had heard him speak at a local support group.  The results were positive.  Later, my other son and daughter were also tested through Enterolab.  They were positive as well.  Most recently, my sister used Dr. Fine’s lab to test for a gluten intolerance as well as for genetic indicators.  She was positive for all.  We are very thankful for better health, and give God thanks for leading us to answers.
While in the process of diagnosis, and learning to eat differently, I wished out loud that there was a children’s book on the subject.  Someone suggested that I write one, and I laughed at the thought.  Months later, a story came to mind after we learned of Buddy’s (our Golden Retriever whom we lost last year) inability to eat wheat as well.  I wrote it, and put it down, thinking it too impossible.  The Lord seemed to be nudging me though, so I picked it up again, and entered the world of publishing -another journey in itself!

Bagels, Buddy, and Me

is the story of Cooper, a young boy with Celiac Disease. He begins his story by telling about a time when he had to stop eating one of his favorite foods – bagels!  He tells of his doctor visits, various medical tests, procedures, and finally the discovery that he cannot eat gluten.  Along the way, he finds that he is not alone in having to make changes to his diet, and that there are actually gluten free varieties of his favorite foods.

The book is perfect bound, softcover, and is 32 pages long with 15 color illustrations that help tell the story of Cooper’s journey to healing.