Tinnitis can vary in severity among children, but as with any health condition, it can be hard to cope with it, especially when you’re a child. When I visited a school for the deaf on my East Coast book tour for my children’s book, Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy, I connected with the kids on a very special level and began to conduct research in the areas of deafness and hearing problems such as tinnitus. One of the most interesting discoveries I made had to do with how common tinnitus actually is, and how many great artists and celebrities must cope with this disorder as well. Share with your child some inspiring stories about artists who have learned to cope with and bring awareness to this complex condition.

In fact, with an estimated 50 million Americans suffering with some degree of tinnitus, according to the American Tinnitus Association, it’s not an uncommon condition, as it affects more than 15% of the population. The severity of the condition varies, ranging from hardly noticeable or mildly annoying to debilitating. Your child’s tinnitus could have been set off by an ear or sinus infection, earwax buildup, medication, or an ear injury, among many possible causes. There are several recommended treatments and therapies, and according to experts, it’s likely that children with tinnitus will eventually outgrow the condition. One of the recommendations by the American Academy of Otolaryngology is to reassure that your child isn’t alone. What better way to do this than to share with your child the fact many artists and musicians have had or currently have tinnitus?

Despite their tinnitus, some famous figures from history were able to accomplish many great things in their fields. Such figures include the most famous reformer in history, Martin Luther, philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Vincent Van Gogh, and Jean-Jean-Francois Champollion, who deciphered the Egyptian hieroglyphs on the Rosetta Stone. American presidents with the condition include Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan, and Bill Clinton.

Many musicians have suffered from tinnitus as well, including Ludwig Van Beethoven, Eric Clapton, Barbra Streisand, Bob Dylan, Ozzy Ozborne, Huey Lewis, and Bono. Songs about tinnitus include “Call Letter Blues” by Bob Dylan, “Turn the Page” by Bob Seger, “Something I Can Never Have” and “The Becoming” by Nine Inch Nails, and “Staring at the Sun” by U2.

Several celebrities have tinnitus caused by damage done to their ears during their careers. According to RingingEars.net, actor and comedian Steve Martin developed tinnitus from a gun shootout during the filming of Three Amigos! Pete Townsend of The Who sustained severing damage to his ears from playing music as well as an incident on stage when drummer Keith Moon blew up his drum set, which caused permanent deafness in one of Townsend’s ears. William Shatner and Leonard Nimoy both experienced damage to their ears from their work on the set of Star Trek during mid 1960’s. Other celebrities with tinnitus include Sylvester Stallone, Leslie Nielson, and David Letterman, who has had tinnitus in one ear for a long time, according to RingingEars.net.

Your child is not only not alone with tinnitus, but he or she has the company of many great individuals who have learned to cope with their condition and sometimes channel their feelings into their work, creating musical pieces and contributing to their respective fields. Share some of these stories with your child and listen to some songs about tinnitus, and I bet your child will not only feel not alone but even a little special.

Tina Turbin

Resources:

American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery: Fact Sheet: When Your Child Has Tinnitus http://www.entnet.org/HealthInformation/Child-Tinnitus.cfm

Communication Agents Journal: Treating Tinnitus Naturally http://www.newmediaexplorer.org/chris/2005/05/04/treating_tinnitus_naturally.htm

Ringingears.net: Celebrities with Tinnitus http://ringinginears.net/2007-10-10/celebrities-with-tinnitus/

Before my visit to a school for the deaf on my East Coast book tour to promote my children’s title, Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy, I hardly knew anything about the subject of deaf literacy. However, since that life-changing day,when I decided to do something on behalf of this issue, I now understand the complexity of the issue, especially for parents of deaf children. Perhaps the most important decision you’ll make as the parent of a deaf child is which method of communication is best for your child. If you’ve decided that your child should join the 219,000 deaf people worldwide who have opted for cochlear implants along with deaf oral education so that they can use spoken language, the issue of timing comes up: when is the best time for your child to get the cochlear implants becomes an issue?

As the parent of a deaf child, it’s likely that you yourself are hearing and that the deaf world is new to you. After all, 90% of deaf children have hearing parents. That means there’s a lot to learn. If you’re interested in getting your young child cochlear implants, you’ve likely chosen this because you’d like your child to have the same opportunitities, educational and professional, as hearing children and adults. As your child becomes better and better with spoken language, you’ll find that he or she is able to attend the same regular classes and participate in the same activities as most of his or her peers. In this way, cochlear implants can be an exciting prospect with the promise of a bright future for your deaf child.

Now the question of “When?” arises. When is the best time for your child to get cochlear implantation surgery? According to research, early implantation allows for earlier exposure to sounds during the critical speech-learning period for children. According to Bella Online, most children are between the ages of 2 and 6 when they get their implants. In the U.S. in 2000, the age requirement for one of the types of cochlear implants was lowered to 12 months.

Is this too young? According to Bella Online, research is showing that “an overwhelmingly majority” of deaf children who don’t have any other health issues see an enhancement in their quality of life as a result of their cochlear implants: “The earlier the implantation the more likely the child will develop hearing, speech, language and cognitive skills at a level similar to a normal hearing child.” In addition to having the same educational and career opportunities, these children are easier to handle by their parents, fit in better socially, able to do activities like using a phone or going to the movies. Science Daily reports that in one study, “the children who received cochlear implants at the youngest ages have nearly the same spoken language skills as children with normal hearing.” Other unpublished studies show that by the age of 4 and a half years old, early implantation children have normal speech and could most likely start school with their hearing peers.

Deciding whether or not to go with cochlear implants is a complex decision, however, that requires time and research. Just as with any surgical procedure, there are risks. Parents may also be hesitant to have their small child undergo such an intensive procedure, and understandably. Moreover, once the procedure is done, the parts of the ear involved in hearing are permanently destroyed so that natural hearing will never take place. Deaf oral education and auditory-verbal therapy are also time-intensive, requiring the participation of the entire family. By the time your child has been correctly diagnosed as deaf or hard of hearing, you’ve done your research, and come up with the funds for the operation, your child may be well into his toddler years or older.

As a children’s author and child and family advocate, I’m often asked for advice on all sorts of issues. Although I do lecture, speak, and write on a variety of subjects related to children, I always reassure parents that they are ultimately responsible for their child and know what’s best for him or her. Study the facts, seek professional advice from as many qualified specialists as possible, and consider what’s best for your child. The facts are showing that early implantation is highly effective in establishing language and speaking skills in deaf children, but the decision to go ahead with this is highly involved and will affect your child and your family from here on out.

Tina Turbin

Treasure Hunt with the Munch Crunch Bunch is a storybook and activity book in one designed for children to help them learn about food so they themselves can be empowered to make healthy choices. Now what parent wouldn’t want that?

This book has lots of fun, hands-on activities for families: board games; fruit and vegetable food riddles (“foodles”); ways to make grocery shopping educational and fun; and a terrific read tucked inside.

Designed for 3-8 year olds, this book has so much color and life it’s entertaining for any parent, relative or teacher. The book is really laid out perfectly so you can simply follow the directions, have fun and learn.

The key appealing point is that the book does not come across AT ALL as if it’s trying to teach, which kids are quick to notice. There’s no better way to learn at these ages than through play, experience and fun. This book offers just this. I haven’t come across a hands-on book this good in a long time.

Author Jan Wotterman is responsible for the nutrition resource material. She conducted an in-class nutrition activity with a select group of 17 out of 73 students using her book. Then each of the 73 families filled out an initial list of foods eaten. Each of the 17 children took their book home and parents read to their children and used the “foodle” cards as shopping lists.

Three weeks later, a questionnaire was sent home to each of the 73 students in the class (to both the book-reading group and the control group). The statistics proved that only the 17 students in the group who read the book increased fruit and vegetable consumption and decreased high-fat and high-sugar consumption. This book made a difference for the whole family!

I can only highly recommend this book.

Tina Turbin

www.DannytheDragon.com

k.m.

If you have celiac disease like me, you’re probably aware of the abundance of resource guides available on the market. Many of these have proved to be invaluable to the celiac community, but there remains a segment of the celiac population who haven’t been able to benefit as we have from such books—children. Thanks to Caryn Talty, a former schoolteacher living in Chicago, celiac kids now have not only an informative resource, but a creative and entertaining one at that—Cilie Yack is Under Attack! This fictional book follows the adventures of the Irish boy Cilie Yack, who experiences an array of misadventures before being diagnosed with celiac disease and becoming a young, gluten-free master chef.

This chapter book, written for ages 5 to 11, draws its strength from its charming main character, Cilie Yack, who is funny as well as honest and open about even the most  awkward details of celiac disease (one of the chapters is named “Poop Talk”). By hearing his own story as a celiac kid, including his symptoms, what testing is like, what happens when he breaks the gluten-free diet, and the adjustments his family makes, kids will not only absorb vital information about living with celiac disease, but they’ll never forget it! Uniquely set in County Clare, Ireland, where Cilie lives on a dairy farm, the book is sure to fascinate kids interested in learning about other cultures. Cilie takes care to explain the Irish and Gaelic terms and customs so that children won’t be confused.

Caryn Talty wrote this book from her heart after her oldest child was diagnosed with celiac disease and it was found by food allergy testing that he needed to eliminate 15 foods from his diet. Already feeling overwhelmed and isolated, she grew even more distressed after failing to find a support group for her son that met his needs. Then one momentous night, the character of Cilie Yack was born in Talty’s imagination.

After reading Cilie Yack, you can’t help but want to stay connected to this enchanting character. Lucky for us, Cilie announces his online cooking club, Cilie Yack’s Sous Club (http://www.cilie-yack.org), designed for kids ages 5 to 11 with food allergies or celiac disease, but kids without special dietary needs are welcome to join as well. The club allows members to organize their own local social cooking club with an emphasis on gluten-free cooking with recipes free of the most prevalent eight allergens as well as corn.

Cilie Yack will be sure to inspire your celiac child to become a gluten-free chef himself. Thankfully Talty, the President of Cilie Yack’s Sous Club for Kids, has given kids with food allergies the opportunity to follow in this delightful character’s footsteps.

http://www.cilie-yack.org

Tina Turbin

www.dannythedragon.com

k.m.

As a children’s author and mother of three, I’ve been passionate about children’s literacy and education for many years. It wasn’t until my East Coast book tour that I became interested in education for children who are deaf or hard of hearing, after I had the wonderful experience of reading my title Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy at a school for the hearing impaired. I was so inspired that I released a Danny the Dragon DVD and iPad app with a signed reading of my book. I’m proud to have contributed children’s materials to deaf children. Although I created the very first children’s book app with sign language interpretation, it is just one of many materials out there for deaf children.

Before we touch upon the subject of children’s materials, the issue of language must be considered. One of the most important decisions parents of a deaf child make is which language or languages to teach their child, as communication is one of the most important skills people—deaf and hearing—need. Language instruction has been the subject of much controversy in the deaf community. Children who are born deaf or become deaf early in life can end up having difficulties understanding written English, which is a phonetic language, based on sounds.

For the many deaf children who retain some residual hearing, parents are increasingly opting for oral deaf education, which teaches children to learn and speak using advanced technology, allowing them to learn English more easily. The question arises of whether your child should learn sign language first. Parents should consult with specialists and qualified professionals to help them make the best decision for their child.

Whatever method of language instruction you choose for your child, there are many materials at your disposal. If you’ve opted to teach your child sign language first and then English, you’ll have many books at your disposal for teaching ASL and English. The Nebraska Commission for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing have posted on their website an extraordinary list of deaf children’s materials, including well-illustrated primers for either or both languages such as Sesame Street’s Sign Language Fun with Linda Bove, storybooks dealing with deaf characters and issues such as I Have a Sister, My Sister is Deaf, and books on important deaf topics such as Hearing Aids for You and the Zoo, which instructs deaf kids on how to take care of their hearing aids.

There are many other deaf children’s materials available in other media such as computer games and programs as well as DVDs. About.com’s deaf  writer Jamie Berke recommends the following sources for deaf children’s materials: the Clerk Center product catalog, the Institute for Disabilities Research and Training, which has computer software for deaf kids, BoysTownPress.org for a video series of sign language interpretations of famous children’s books, and PBS’s Cornerstones program, which teaches language skills to deaf children.

If you’ve decided to get a hearing aid for your deaf child, hearing aid materials will also be important to acquire. Some examples of such materials include a battery tester, air blower to blow out moisture from hearing aids, hearing aid retainers, and an earmold lubricant. You can learn more about hearing aid supplies through a specialist.

In the end, there are so many materials and resources for deaf children that to list them here is not possible. The best solution is to stay well-connected with professionals, deaf organizations, and others in the deaf community for information about helpful materials for deaf kids. As time goes on, deaf children will be able to enjoy more and more materials to help them learn necessary information and language skills—and of course for their fun and enjoyment.

Tina Turbin

www.Dannythedragon.com

Resources

About.com: Literacy Resources for Teaching Deaf Children http://deafness.about.com/od/literacy/a/deafliteracy.htm

Bella Online: What language should my deaf child learn? http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art67247.asp

The Listen-Up Web! Helpful Products to Know About http://www.listen-up.org/htm/products.htm

As if Tina Turbin, the multi-award-winning children’s author, wasn’t already overwhelmed with praise for the first book in her Danny the Dragon children’s series, Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy, she decided to release it as the first-ever children’s book app for the iPad and iPhone to have sign language interpretation. The author and her publicity team are now working hard to manage the soaring sales and intense interest the iPad app release has stirred up. Despite her busy schedule, Turbin was able to set aside some time to meet with the Hartford Books Examiner for a Q&A interview to talk about the latest Danny the Dragon news.

Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy, the story of how Danny forms a special friendship with Jimmy and his family, is the recipient of a number of awards including the Purple Dragon Book Awards, Mom’s Choice Awards®, Indie Excellence® Awards, International Book Awards, and the list goes on. The book is celebrated for its pro-family values and lessons of mutual kindness.

Turbin had already stood out for her humanitarian work in various fields, including children’s literacy and education, women’s issues, health, and the gluten-free diet. Then she decided to do something that would set her entirely apart from other children’s authors—she created a Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy app for the iPhone and iPad. This wasn’t an ordinary children’s book app; it contained sign language interpretation for deaf children.

In her interview with the Hartford Books Examiner, Tina said she “wanted to reach out to children and families on an even broader scale, and having Danny the Dragon as the first-ever available iPad download with sign interpretation for the deaf and hearing impaired was a milestone.” Indeed, it was the first-ever app of its kind for the hearing-impaired community and was showcased by Apple on its featured apps page. Not surprisingly, the author has received much positive feedback for her innovative product.

In the interview, Turbin offered advice to other authors who are interested in making their own children’s title into an app. First she says, “Make sure that the company you connect up with is going to do your book justice. A lot of work goes into a book by any author and to have it put up as an app by some company who doesn’t know what they’re doing can only be a disservice.”

Turbin’s iPad app was produced by iStoryTime, the app developer for DreamWorks Animation’s How to Train Your Dragon. The author has nothing but praise to share in regard to her experiences working with iStorytime.

At the close of her interview, the author shares some advice for parents from her heart: “…allow for your child’s quality of imagination to remain as long as possible, because that’s where their dreams are made and they can form their future through their dreams.”

When asked if she has plans for future children’s books, and whether they’ll be made available as apps, the author exclaimed, “Absolutely!” In fact, the author is actively working on future books in her West Coast studio, balancing her writing schedule with research and book tours to bookstores, libraries, and other venues. Until Danny’s next adventure comes out, readers can purchase the iPad app through iTunes or through DannytheDragon.com, where Danny fans can keep up with their favorite dragon and sign up for the Danny newsletter.

Tina Turbin

www.Dannythedragon.com

Resources:

Hartford Books Examiner: Children’s Author Tina Turbin Brings ‘Danny the Dragon’ to iPhone and iPad (Q&A) http://tinyurl.com/6682tqf

Hartford Books Examiner: Danny the Dragon Meets Jimmy by Tina Turbin (a book/DVD review) http://www.examiner.com/books-in-hartford/danny-the-dragon-meets-jimmy-by-tina-turbin-a-book-dvd-review

In my work as a children’s author, researcher, and kids’ health advocate, I stay abreast of the latest health news in an effort to safeguard the health of children.  In my research, I have come across alarming reports from Australia, regarding the health risk of the flu vaccine in children, the same vaccine we use in the U.S. Several startling symptoms have been reported in dozens of children, and the vaccine is now banned by Australian authorities for children under five. In the U.S., however, the vaccine is still being implemented.

According to WA Today, it was announced by the Commonwealth chief health officer, Professor Jim Bishop, that flu vaccinations in kids under five were banned in Australia after 23 children in Western Australia were admitted to hospitals due to convulsions after their injections. One of these children, a one-year-old, went into a coma. It turns out that more than 60 children reacted adversely to the vaccine, showing symptoms such as vomiting and febrile convulsions.

Child Health Associate Professor Peter Richmond of the University of Western Australia School of Pediatrics said that only Fluvax, produced by the largest biopharmaceutical company in Australia called CSL, was being used to vaccinate children in WA. Concerns have been raised regarding why it took two weeks of reports of adverse reactions to the vaccine in children before the ban was implemented. Professor Richmond stressed that the vast majority of children receiving Fluvax hadn’t reported such complications.

Despite the fact that the Commonwealth chief medical officer issued a warning to the country regarding the vaccine, the U.S. and U.K., which are using the same vaccine, haven’t suspended vaccinations. According to Natural News, the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) “has insisted that all children in the USA — regardless of age — should now be injected with this very same flu vaccine,” according to Natural News.

What is responsible in the vaccine for these convulsions? There is a chemical called an “adjuvant,” a standard vaccine ingredient added in order to stimulate the immune system to respond to the weakened virus in the vaccine. According to Natural News, adjuvants are made up of a very inflammatory chemical that can cause brain tissue and nervous system damage, and researchers suspect that it can increase risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other neurological disorders. According to Mike Adams, the editor of Natural News, “It is this adjuvant that most likely caused the convulsions in children.”

There’s no doubt that most parents have heard about the possible health risks associated with vaccinations. With an alarmingly high and growing number of autistic children in the U.S., the link between vaccines and the neurodevelopmental disorder is being examined by the medical community with more fervor than ever. The vaccine health emergency in West Australia is an important reminder to the U.S. that medical authorities may not be fully informed about the effects of vaccines and that the wide-scale immunization policy we apply in our country may perhaps not be the optimum for safeguarding the health of our children.

Along this line, it’s interesting that, while noting that even though it hadn’t been determined yet whether the flu vaccine itself was responsible for the convulsions in children, Dr. Richmond nevertheless recommended that people over the age of five in the meantime should still get vaccinated with it.

Natural News raises the question of whether immunization is necessary at all. The news website posted a series of graphs of incidence of children’s diseases, including whooping cough, diphtheria, measles, typhoid fever, and polio, which indicated that the rate of disease incidence was already following a declining trend before the vaccines were introduced.

In the end, it’s up to parents to make informed decisions regarding immunizing their children. Studies show that vitamin D and probiotics are effective in preventing the flu in children; these supplements aren’t embroiled in controversy nor are there any risks associated with them. By taking the time to inform ourselves as parents, speaking with qualified health care professionals, and examining the facts, we may be able to avoid putting our children in harm’s way before it’s too late. This is true in immunizations as well as many other aspects of your children’s health.

Tina Turbin

www.DannytheDragon.com

k.m.

Resources:

WA News: Flu vaccination ban goes national after fever, convulsions in children http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/flu-vaccination-ban-goes-national-after-fever-convulsions-in-children-20100423-tglp.html?from=age_ft

Natural News: Australia bans flu vaccines in children after vomiting, fevers, seizures http://www.naturalnews.com/029586_Australia_vaccines.html

Natural News: Probiotics Controls Colds and Flu http://www.naturalnews.com/027574_probiotics_colds.html

Nutra Ingredients: Vitamin D Shows Promise Against Seasonal Flu: Study http://www.nutraingredients.com/Research/Vitamin-D-shows-promise-against-seasonal-flu-Study

Susie is six and can’t count to thirty without missing a few numbers.  Johnny has almost finished eighth grade but hasn’t started pre-algebra. “Oh dear, oh dear, my child is falling behind.”

Just as one child can be given the label “Attention Deficit Disorder” because some adults cannot tolerate his activity level, so can another child be given the label “behind” because he does not match up with some adults’ scholastic expectations.

The definition of “behind” that applies from the unabridged Random House Dictionary is: In the state of making less progress than. The question parents and teachers must ask themselves is, “making less progress than whom?”  When we think this through, we see it is no different than asking “being more active than whom?”

The adults in a child’s life should be careful not to put their own expectations or worries about academic progress on their child.  The truth is a child is uniquely himself; activity level, scholastic aptitude, cleverness, imagination and every other attribute must be gauged against the individual.  When this is understood, labeling a child is no longer appropriate.

Perhaps you understand this concept perfectly and prohibit anyone from labeling your child – but your child labels himself?  What can you do?

When a child considers that he is behind, it is because he is comparing himself against someone else or others, rather than against his own potential.  This situation must be addressed: you don’t want your child feeling unhappy or embarrassed or to lose self-respect because he thinks he’s “behind.”

Talk with him.  Let him know that we all have strengths and weaknesses.   Don’t evaluate for him.  Listen and find out what he considers his strengths and weaknesses to be.   You may, of course, guide him to ensure he does not dwell only on weak points.

Then let him know that he need not compare himself to anyone else.  Discuss that when one is “behind” in something, it is because he considers that he could have done more than he did, or he planned to do more and didn’t get it all done.  What is important here is his consideration about himself and his actions.

Give him the example that if one considers he is behind in his chores it is because he didn’t get them all done.  In the case of chores, he can simply complete them right away or devise a step-by-step plan to complete them in the near future.

The same is true of learning.  If one wishes to know the capital of California, he can simply look it up in an atlas right now; if he wishes to know the capital city of each state in the union, he can devise a plan to research them over a period of time.  Have your child give you examples of setting goals and working toward them until they are accomplished.  Have him give you examples of how he can apply this to his education.  Help him to see that although others can guide him, he is ultimately responsible for being “ahead” or “behind” where he wants to be.

The bottom line – a student should only be in competition with himself.  Your child will probably be relieved to know education is not a competitive sport and that he need not judge himself by the accomplishments of others.

At this point, you can show your child how easy it is to use one’s strengths to overcome areas of difficulty.  He simply needs to find a strong purpose (a good reason) to conquer the difficulty, a decision (intention) to actually conquer it, and the willingness to work at it (practice or drill) until he succeeds.  Discuss this with your child and listen to his ideas.  Such discussions should increase your child’s confidence and help him to be more at home with himself.

Courtesy of Carlynn McCormick, Copyright 2010, All Rights Reserved.

Tina Turbin

www.DannyTheDragon.com

k.m.

Dr. Andrew Wakefield, who published a study in 1998 about the possible link between autism and vaccines which was subsequently questioned and discredited by the medical community, has defended his work in an interview on CNN.

Dr. Wakefield’s work has been discredited over the past several years, and ten of the eleven doctors who were involved in the study have removed their names from it. The Sunday Times reports that Dr. Wakefield “changed and misreported results” in his research, according to “confidential” medical documents and interviews with witnesses.

Dr. Wakefield’s study was published in February 1998 in The Lancet medical journal, causing widespread concern among parents that the MMR vaccine—for measles, mumps, and rubella—was linked to autism. According to The Sunday Times, the impact of the article was “extraordinary,” with vaccination rates decreasing from 92% to less than 80%, while “herd immunity” from measles occurs when 95% of the population has been vaccinated.

After a British journalist, Brian Deer, published the results of his investigation calling Wakefield’s study an “elaborate fraud,” Wakefield denied these allegations as false in an interview on CNN with Anderson Cooper. Wakefield continues to stand by his findings, saying that the results have been replicated in studies in five other countries and that Deer has received financial support from a pharmaceutical company. Check out the link below to see the interview yourself.

CNN Video Clip

Tina Turbin

www.DannyTheDragon.com

Resources:

CNN: Autism-Vaccine Study Author Defends Work http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/health/2011/01/05/ac.autism.wakefield.intv.cnn

MSNBC: Doctor defends research tying vaccine to racism http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/40930256/ns/health-mental_health/

Sarros, Connie. FREE Gluten-free Newsletterette. (Feb. 2011.) www.gfbooks.homestead.com

The Sunday Times: MMR doctor Andrew Wakefield fixed data on autism http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/health/article5683671.ece

In addition to my work as a children’s author, I am dedicated to bringing awareness to celiac disease, which is caused by an autoimmune reaction to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley, and rye, leading to damage to the small intestine and a variety of serious physical and mental symptoms.

I had the honor and pleasure of delivering a teleseminar on celiac disease with Anne Holmes, the “Boomer-in-Chief” of the NABBW, National Association of Baby Boomer Women.

Follow the link below to have a listen or download the teleseminar as an MP3:

http://attendthisevent.com/?eventid=14823489

Enjoy!

Tina Turbin

www.GlutenFreeHelp.info