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Desiree Ferrandi Case Study

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At the age of 4, she knew something wasn’t right. Initially, she was told she was anemic and needed more iron in her body. Symptoms worsened, and it got so bad that her body wasn’t growing properly and she needed leg braces and physical therapy to help her walk. Her body just kept deteriorating and eventually, as just a kid, she was already saying her goodbyes to family members and friends; she was prepared to die. Imagine suffering for many years before being diagnosed with a chronic illness, and told that there is no cure for the disease that has already burdened you for all this time. Yes, there are treatments and medications for most illnesses, yet these medications are extremely costly and the costs can add up quickly. Desiree Ferrandi, a 50-year-old female who I had the pleasure to meet and interview, is 1 out of the about 3 million people in the world suffering from Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease is just one out of the many chronic illnesses that affect nearly 3 million people in America. It is a disorder that can lead to intestine damage if gluten is ingested. A strict, gluten-free diet is the only current treatment. Celiac, like other chronic illnesses, not only affects the health and body of someone, but it affects all aspects of one’s …show more content…

It wasn’t until 25 years later (29 years old), that she was finally diagnosed with Celiac Disease. With concerned eyes, she mentioned, “The doctor basically told me I had Celiac Disease and that I couldn’t have gluten. I didn’t know anything else and I didn’t know anyone who was suffering me.” Not knowing about the disease caused her to worry and it was very overwhelming at first. Yet, she was able to find some solace through a support group out of Rockland County, which she attended once a week. This, along with the support from her family, helped Desiree look at her illness with a positive attitude, instead of with grief and

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