Meg’s story
Meg Skirrow, YBSF Co-Chair and Founder
Meg’s experience of low bone density as a result of Coeliac Disease gives a great contrast to Bobby’s experience, showing that this is something that can affect a wide range of populations. As Co-Chair, Meg is working with the trustees and Ambassadors to educate and advocate for all populations at risk of low bone density.
“I was diagnosed with low bone density at 21. I am a coeliac, which meant I was affected by malnourishment throughout my teenage years. I thought that because I adopted a gluten free diet, took my supplements, and lived actively, that my body had recovered from the damage. As it turns out, because I was malnourished during crucial teenage years, I never put on the bone density that you are supposed to at that age.
This is not reversible.
There is very little research into young people with low bone density, and so I do not know how this will affect my future, and sadly, neither do my doctors.
A diagnosis of low bone density comes with huge uncertainties; is it safe to participate in sport? Will I need joint replacements? Will the pill be good for my bones or not? How long until I start to have fractures, and what then? How will this affect my back? Will having kids make it worse? There are no answers at the moment, and the most I’ve been told by my doctors is to come back when I’ve had a fracture. We at Young Bones would like that to change.”
