Patient Perspective: Gwen Shares Her EoE Journey with Poetry

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!