Jennifer's Way: My Journey with Celiac Disease--What Doctors Don't Tell You and How You Can Learn to Live Again

I was disappointed when I realized that more then 3/4ths of the way through the book I was still on an autobiography of Jennifer’s life. It’s not why I got the book thinking I would learn about celiac disease and ways to manage it I quickly realized it’s not relatable to a normal person with a normal salary. Her “fixes” included pulling star name bombs to get into doctors quicker, having a personal assistant to cook all her food, being able to take long breaks from working to collect herself and seeing any type of doctor she wanted. While reading the book she portrays herself as a victim to the world around her. At some points I felt a little validated because some of her experience was inline with mine because most people with celiac do have a better understanding of my life, but her way of life isn’t obtainable for a normal person. I don’t get to negotiate my diet needs or illness needs with employers, have to cook all my food while working full-time and supporting my three young children. I don’t have a personal assistant to help with that. I also don’t have the money to drop in and get shot up with vitamin and fluids weekly from some doctor or whenever I don’t feel well. While I empathize with her certainly, I felt like this truly was all about her which was evident when she talks about a time she walks into a gastro’s office and demands to see a doctor without an appointment. I do support her work using her star name as a spokeswoman for awareness and I appreciate it, but this book further makes me understand the reality that different people with different things/paths in life have different experiences.

I picked up Jennifer's Way, because I had heard the author speak at my school. Hearing her story, and the many struggles she went through dealing with a disease that was not really in the medical arena like it is today, was both frightening and inspiring. The author demonstrated that we all have it within us to fight for what we feel in our hearts is right. The section where the doctors put her in a psychiatric ward at the hospital because they felt she was going crazy. And, she felt like no-one was hearing her. To me, that was the saddest part. How aweful it is to not be heard and validated. I am grateful that Jennifer listened to her intuition, to find her health again. She is so inspiring and a great role model to take all the crap that has been given you, and find the gift. Our gift, is her story, and I look forward to visiting her bakery some day in NY.

I read this book while waiting for my blood work to come back on my test. A stomach biopsy showed damage.I am overwhelmed waiting to find out. And this book both scared me and comforted me. While I was scared by Jennifer's journey I was comforted by the solutions she offered at the end. Comforted that she shared her experiences so that I can try and avoid the bad ones she had.I am going to make my husband, adult daughter and business partner read the book. That way they can better support me.Jennifer, thank you for putting it all out there. That cannot have been easy, but in doing so, you helped so many people.

This book was like being heard for the first time. If you are unsure that you might have celieacs because most of your symtopms are not neccisacrrlitly belly issues, you need to read this book.The book gives you her testimony, her journey, how to talk to doctors, how to navigate the journey of being diaganosed and after you are diagnosed. The author has a way of comforting the reader and encouraging them but she will be real with you! She will not sugar coat celiacs and tell you its easy peasy. It is a great balance of tough love. Kind of like being a parent. I will love you but I am going to tell you the truth because it best for you.So far this is one of the best books I have read about celiacs so far.PROs: Listed above in my review.Cons: The author is not a doctor or medically trained. This is her personal journey and testimony. This book should be used as encouragement and gaining knowledge and confidence to jump into the celiacs testing and living with celiacs. The author did consult with a doctor with this book but everyone is different so this is NOT a medical source of info.If you want a medical book to break down in medical terms the ins and outs of this disease, this is not what you want. this is for you to feel you are not alone and how to start your journey on living again.

I just finished Jennifer's book. I was diagnosed seven years ago and am now 70 years old. I have no idea how long I had this disease before I was diagnosed, but have had symptoms that could not be explained for many years. When I look, back at my childhood, I believe that there's a good chance that my mother had it also, though not as much was known about the disease back then. I bought many books about the disease when I was first diagnosed and just happened to stumble upon Jennifer's book recently. I'm not sure why, but it spoke to me so I purchased it. I learned things from her book that I did not know and it was extremely helpful to me. Thank you Jennifer.

I read this book in 24 hours... just couldn't stop reading it as it it was so good to be reading about Coeliac Disease from the perspective of someone who has lived with it, and has a fantastic knowledge of it. This book should be read by everyone who has Coeliac or thinks they may have it, anyone who is related to, friends or colleagues with, or in a relationship with someone who has this disease. I have Coeliac and I find it so difficult - getting friends and colleagues to comprehend the seriousness of the illness and the fact that a tiny bit of gluten will do me harm... it's soul destroying... I may not have an anaphylactic reaction but the harm is being done and the effects are very real. You are made to feel like a fussy, faddy eater and basically a nuisance. Coeliacs should not be made to feel this way simply for wanting to be well. Jennifer Esposito puts this so well in her story and I thank her for all she is doing to promote awareness of Coeliac Disease. I can't wait to return to New York to visit her bakery.

Like Jennifer I have progressed through life with various symptoms and diagnoses and only recently realised that I am probably suffering from coeliac disease. Like many people I was told that I had a wheat intolerance so I am unable to be tested without suffering for six weeks. After reading this book I passed it to my husband and asked him to read it. He now fully appreciates how I feel and is very supportive. I’m planning to pass it on to a friend whose husband is a fellow sufferer.

I have suffered allergies, skin problems, asthma and intolerances all my life. Read this as was beginning to think I may be coeliac too. I don't think so, but I was shocked to read how Jennifer had suffered, feel quite blessed reference my own health now. A good read in two parts, the first being almost an autobiography, the second of how she realised she had to do it her way. I found it enjoyable and picked up a couple of tips that may prove useful.

A beautiful read! I haven't even had the book a couple of hours and it's almost finished because I've not been able to put it down!I'd been following Jennifer's career for years, and when I learnt that she was also suffering from Coeliac I started to follow her on her journey (I can't tell you how many times her recipes have bought me back from the brink!!!). Her words are what so many of us have been through...are going through every day and seeing them there knowing that I'm not alone is a blessing. I hope her strength, brings you strength like it has with me!

Brilliant information on coeliac disease, I think it would be worthwhile for people who have coeliac disease or know someone with coeliac disease to read it. I personally have had a different experience but it still gave me a huge insight into my own disease that I haven’t experienced.