I'm concerned. As

Chatterbox: Down to Earth

I'm concerned. As

I'm concerned. As you might know, but probably don't, I have celiac disease, which is  a condition that damages the lining of the small intestine and prevents it from absorbing parts of food that are important for staying healthy.

Now, isn't that fun?

So, basically since I was diagnosed only 2 years ago, I was deep into the damage to begin with. I was 11 years old and I weighed under 60 pounds, because of the growth delay due to the not-absorbing-nutrients thing. Now for the past 2 years I've been on a gluten-free diet and I've been feeling much better. Still, I'm 13 years old and I weigh...

74 pounds.

Yes, 74. I know. I'm as skinny as a stick. Is that even normal? I feel like I'm not growing at all.

And it REALLY bothers me because ALL of my friends are taller than me, and I'm 4'11. Whenever I go to a public place alone someone asks me where my parents are. I'm 13, for crying out loud! I look like I'm 10 years old, at the oldest. It's so annoying, especially because of the people at my school aren't the most sensitive and they find it hilarious to criticize me.

Person: Wow, you're so short!

Me: NO FREAKING WAY, SHERLOCK.

Or:

Person: Why are you so teeny?

Me: *explains celiac disease, going into vivid detail for 15 minutes*

Person: *backs away like I'm a contagious germ or something*

Or: 

Person: So what can't you eat?

Me: Gluten. You know, pizza, pasta, cookies, cake, bagels, bread, doughnuts, cereal, croutons..."

Person: You can't eat ANYTHING?

Me: Well -

Person: I feel so BAD for you!

Me: That makes me feel so much better. :I

Just UGHHH! 

submitted by Nora the Singer
(April 10, 2014 - 5:42 pm)

That stinks. Those people are jerks. I don't have much experience with bullies, since they are virtually nonexistent in my school. Sorry.

submitted by Bounty, age 12, ?
(April 29, 2014 - 6:45 pm)