Orlando, Fla.- Australian golfer Sarah-Jane Kenyon, 24, is the newest addition to the 2009 LPGA Tour and also the new Athletes for Awareness Spokeswoman for the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness.
Celiac disease is an autoimmune digestive disease that damages the villi of the small intestine and interferes with absorption of nutrients from food. People with this disease cannot eat glutton which is found in wheat.
Before Kenyon was diagnosed with Celiac her playing was presumably effected by the disease. In 2005 she went from a No. 10 ranking to 27th in 2006 and 29th in 2007.
This year with her new coach Phil Ritson and new diet, her golfing has improved enough for a spot in the LPGA Tour. Kenyon said, “Phil has made a big change….Up until that point last year my golf was terrible. It improved slowly…but he has been a big help. I think the diet made a bit of a difference especially this year particularly”
When Kenyon found out she had Celiac disease she didn’t let it affect her golf career. She shrugged off the fact that she could no longer enjoy her favorite foods: bread and pasta, “There are some pretty good substitutes out there so it’s just a matter of finding them…. It’s not such a big deal. You just feel better not to eat it.” Kenyon said.
Raising awareness of Celiac disease is something Kenyon plans to do during the tour, “There is no awareness for it in America. It is especially important to me because my mom has it and I do as well so it is something we can work on.” During the tour Kenyon will wear the NFCA logo on her clothes and golf bag to help fans become aware of Celiac disease.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment