Celiac Spotlight: Jennifer Esposito

Today’s Celiac Spotlight shines upon actress Jennifer Esposito, who went public with her Celiac Disease in October 2011. She made the announcement on “The Late Show With David Letterman.” She said that she was diagnosed in 2009.

For many years, Esposito suffered “constant stomach problems, panic attacks, joint pain, and severe weakness.” She went to the doctor, and was speechless when her doctor told her that she has Celiac Disease. Esposito stared at her doctor, with tears rolling down her cheeks. She could not believe what she was hearing. It was a diagnosis that changed her life forever.

Esposito has appeared on such shows as “Law and Order: SUV,” “Spin City,” and “Samantha Who.” Most recently, she has appeared in the third season of “Blue Bloods.” While she was filming the third season, she collapsed. Doctors requested that she miss a week of work, due to the collapse. The collapse was brought on by her Celiac Disease. CBS did not adhere to the doctor’s orders for Esposito, they put her on unpaid leave, and blocked her from working anywhere else. CBS believed that Esposito was lying and felt that she was looking for a raise. She was then put on indefinite unpaid leave of absence. Esposito took to Twitter and unloaded about what CBS did to her.

I do not blame Esposito for being livid. Society is completely ignorant when it comes to this potentially fatal auto-immune disease. Many Celiacs suffer oppression, whether it be at work, at a restaurant, or in social settings. It is mainly due to lack of education. Esposito is utilizing her struggles to educate society about Celiac Disease. I have great respect for Jennifer Esposito. She speaks out about Celiac Disease more than any other celebrity out there. Esposito is so dedicated to the cause, that she has penned a book about her struggle, and also wants to share her favorite Gluten Free recipes. She has plans to open up a Gluten Free bakery in the near future.
Thank you, Jennifer Esposito, for everything you have done for the Celiac Community!

Sources:
http://www.starpulse.com/news/index.php/2011/07/18/jennifer_esposito_details_her_struggle
http://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/2012/11/20/jennifer-esposito-cbs-ignorance-celiac-disease-makes-me-sick/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Esposito

(photo courtesy of: http://la.cleanplates.com/files/2013/03/JenniferEsposito.jpg)

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