Pardee Hospital will host Celiac Kids Support Group, a new support group for children and teens with celiac disease. Young people of all ages are invited to attend. The group is free and open to the public.
The first meeting will take place on Thursday, Feb. 18 from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Pardee Signature Care Center in the Blue Ridge Mall. The group is co-led by Laurie Steenwyk, M.Ed., RD, LDN, a clinical dietitian at Pardee Hospital specializing in celiac disease and the gluten-free diet, and Veronika Giacomaro, a mother of a teenager with celiac disease.
Celiac disease is an inherited autoimmune disorder in which eating gluten causes nutritional deficiencies, gastrointestinal distress and many other symptoms.
“The only treatment for celiac disease is a strict gluten-free diet, which can be difficult to follow, particularly if you are a young person with school pizza parties, sports practice and sleepovers,” said Steenwyk. “Our mission is to support and empower kids with celiac disease and provide accurate, scientifically-based information to parents and family members.”
“When my daughter was diagnosed with celiac disease six months ago, I realized there was little support available for children and teens,” said Giacomaro. “The diagnosis is life-changing and sticking to a gluten-free diet can be difficult, particularly in the beginning. My hope is this group will help kids and parents learn how to successfully manage celiac disease at home, at school and on the go. Attendees should come prepared to have fun, meet new people and learn something new.”
To sign up for the support group or to learn more, contact Veronika Giacomaro at (828) 676-9233, email [email protected] or visit the group’s Facebook page.
Pardee Hospital is a not-for-profit community hospital founded in 1953 and is managed by UNC Health Care. The hospital is licensed for 222 acute care beds. The hospital has several locations separate from the main campus and a comprehensive physician practice network. For more information or to find a physician, visit pardeehospital.org.