As part of our Patient Perspective series, we’re sharing “The Journey,” a poem Gwen (age 10) wrote for a school project about living with eosinophilic esophagitis (EoE). Gwen also answered a few short questions about what inspired her poem and what she wants readers to know. We’ve published her poem exactly as she wrote it. Thank you to Gwen for sharing her voice!

About My Poem

My poem “The Journey” is about my condition called EoE. I was inspired to write my poem about my EoE because it was a sad and important stage in my life.

When I dream, I remember all the things I have been through so, I try to convey this through my word choices. I chose the quote, “My life has been a journey” because the journey is about my condition and the struggles I came across on the way. Also, I chose the word “journey” because I wanted to show that my condition and my surgeries took up a lot of time in my life.

Another quote I wrote to describe something was “closed my airway” because I wanted to show how my allergic reactions affected me. I chose the word “airway” because I wanted to show how milk and eggs affected me. I chose the words in my poem to help you imagine my journey as the breath-taking, sad event that inspires me. I hope it inspires you to see astonishing qualities the next time you see someone who is on a journey like me and is struggling a bit.

Gwen’s Poem: The Journey

My whole life has been a journey.
It’s about my medical story.
My mom used to think i was okay
But i wasn’t, milk and eggs closed my airway.
Day after Day it got worse everyday.
And then the day came.
We had to drive away
We sped down the highway
They rushed me in.
They told me to lay on a bed
It was the worst feeling and the hardest day…
But this was the only way…..and a horrible place and no where to play….
And i cried and cried till i layed on the bed with my beaming head….i called it the day of the dread.

Q&A with Gwen

What made you want to write this poem? “My EoE and my doctors inspired me. I wanted to share what it feels like to go through this and how my doctors help me..”

What’s the big feeling or message you want readers to get? “I want people to remember to keep going, even if something feels hard. And also to be kind.”

If someone hasn’t heard of EoE, what’s one simple thing you want them to know? “EoE does not make me different from anybody else.”

On hard days, what helps you most? “My family and friends help me a lot. They comfort me when I feel sad, and sometimes they take me out for ice cream that I can have..”

What would you tell another kid with EoE who’s having a tough time? “Take it one day at a time. Don’t doubt yourself.”

Do you want to write more poems? Yes, I will write more poems. My next one might be about my scopes.

From Gwen’s Mom, Rachael

How has writing helped Gwen express herself or advocate?
“Gwen is a great writer and puts emotions into her writing. You feel something when you read her writing. She has a big heart and a beautiful soul.”

Any short note to include for other families?
“Your child is stronger than you realize. Stay strong for them.”

Thank you, Gwen, for sharing your voice and your poem!

As told by Sarah, mother of two

Our EoE journey began from the very start of my son’s life. Born three weeks premature, he faced immediate gastrointestinal challenges with severe jaundice and failure to thrive, followed by an E. coli infection and reflux. From his first days, eating was an ordeal—taking almost an hour to drink even a few ounces.

Our pediatrician continuously minimized the reflux and feeding difficulties, attributing everything to his “rough start” and suggesting he was simply exhausted. Despite starting feeding therapy as an infant and being on a PPI from birth until age 3.5, his eating struggles persisted.

What frustrated me most was that he wasn’t a picky eater when he could manage to eat. At age 3, he enjoyed buffalo wings and all types of flavors and cuisines—when he could get them down. But by age 4, mealtimes became hour-long ordeals. I noticed he was “tossing food” toward the back of his throat, trying to make swallowing easier. He was eating smaller and smaller amounts, and without extensive support and encouragement, he was dropping weight. Another round of feeding therapy ensued.

Families like Sarah’s need support—and you can help.

Stories like these remind us why APFED’s work is so critical. Every day, families struggle to find answers, navigate diagnoses, and access the care their children desperately need. Your year-end gift can contribute to scientific breakthroughs in eosinophilic disease research.

Make an impact before December 31st:

• Donate online at https://apfed.org/donate
• Explore more giving options on our Ways to Give page, including donor-advised funds, cryptocurrency, or stock donations
• Shop with purpose at igive.com and support APFED with your holiday purchases at no extra cost

Every gift—no matter the size—helps families find hope and healing.

Throughout September, drivers and pedestrians in the Detroit suburbs may have noticed bold magenta billboards carrying a simple but important message: “Not all asthma is the same.”

The American Partnership for Eosinophilic Disorders (APFED) launched this awareness campaign to help people recognize a lesser-known but serious form of asthma—eosinophilic asthma—and to encourage conversations that lead to earlier diagnosis and more personalized care.

Spotlighting an Overlooked Condition

Eosinophilic asthma (often called eos asthma) is driven by high levels of eosinophils—white blood cells that cause inflammation in the airways. While symptoms can look similar to other forms of asthma, this subtype is often more severe and less responsive to standard asthma treatments. Persistent or hard-to-control asthma deserves a closer look.

September’s billboard campaign in Michigan was complementary to our social media campaign in 2025 to help people with asthma ask important questions in clinic, especially those whose asthma is uncontrolled.

Keeping the Momentum Going This Fall

Even though the billboards have come down, the message remains vital as we head into fall—when cooler weather and seasonal triggers can make asthma symptoms worse. This is an ideal time for patients to review their asthma management plans with their healthcare providers and ask:

• Could my asthma be eosinophilic?
• Should I have a blood test for eosinophils?
• Are there new treatments that might help me breathe easier?

APFED’s work in Michigan, supported by an educational grant from AstraZeneca, is part of a broader effort to bring education and support to those affected by eosinophil-associated diseases nationwide. From awareness campaigns to patient resources, APFED continues to empower individuals and families to seek answers and advocate for better care.

To learn more about eosinophilic asthma or to access educational materials for your community or clinic, visit apfed.org/asthma or eosasthma.org.