Warm, salty, soft pretzels and well-dressed hot dogs slathered with all the fixings are ballpark snack staples, but for some, like Jake, having a treat while at a game isn’t as simple as ordering what looks best on the menu.
At 14 years old, Jake was diagnosed with celiac disease, an autoimmune condition that causes a damaging immune reaction to gluten. Jake had to change his diet to protect his health by eliminating many foods he’d enjoyed all his life.
There is no cure for celiac, but Jake, who has been living with the disease for 12 years, manages his diet to keep it in check. He’s even found gluten-free treats, including ice cream served in a helmet cup, to enjoy at the ballpark, where he works as a play-by-play broadcaster for the Omaha Storm Chasers.
For the rest of Jake’s story, listen to his play-by-play below on navigating his diagnosis:
Jake’s story is just one of many. What’s yours? To share your health journey with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, please visit NebraskaBlue.com/YourStory.
