Celiac Patient Stories
Explore the stories submitted by Celiacs and their friends & family from around the nation.
Maria Y.
Age 22, Lifelong Celiac Patient
When I was 5, life took a turn. My Celiac disease barged into my world like an uninvited guest, turning everything upside down. Being a kid who couldn’t munch on the usual snacks during school breaks or at sleepovers was tough. My meals became this puzzle I had to solve daily, sifting through ingredients and learning to say “no” to a lot….
Arjun S.
Age 16, Lifelong Celiac Patient
The diagnosis may seem overwhelming at first, but I assure you, it gets better with time. I understand the transition can be demanding, particularly altering your diet and social interactions. So, here’s some advice for you newbies: it’s a bumpy ride, but it gets better. Your pantry’s going through a makeover. But you don’t have to say goodbye to your….
Kim S.
Age 51, Mother of Two Celiacs
Witnessing my two kids cope with Celiac disease has been a challenging and, yes heartbreaking, experience. Since then, my aim has been to offer guidance to mothers navigating a similar path. I have spent countless hours hovering over the kids at restaurants. I have tested every product that entered my house with about 5 different sensors….
Jason L.
IBD Patient
I have a little acronym I use to keep track of the IBD parts of my life: MEDS. The M is for “medicine,” because a crucial part of managing IBD is taking prescribed drugs appropriately. The E is for “energy,” because IBD really depletes your body and its nutrients. The D is for “diet,” because the best way to prevent chronic inflammation is to avoid certain irritant foods & consume additional servings of….
Christina Y.
Age 23, Celiac patient
I think I’ve collected the ultimate set of allergies—gluten, dairy, nuts, pollen, and even ground roots. It’s like my immune system decided to go all-in on the ‘Let’s be different’ game! But jokes aside, navigating life with this vast array of allergies has made me a walking dictionary on what not to eat and what to avoid. Yes, I carry around an EpiPen wherever I go, but no, I don’t use it as much as you’d….
Alice Z.
Age 13, Celiac patient
Hi, I’m Alice! I was diagnosed with Celiac disease when I was 2 and I just wanted to say that I am always here for you, yes you, if you need it. It’s been a real challenge making the necessary changes in my life to live with Celiac, so please feel free to reach out as I would love to help ease that transition for you. :DD Some common questions I’ve been asked might help you as you adjust to your….
Ronald A.
Age 16, High schooler with Celiac
I’m not here to tell you that having Celiac has been easy, because it simply hasn’t. There have been times when I’ve found myself eating on my own in the corner, wishing I could just leave. There have been times where I’ve knowingly glutened myself, and no I’m not proud of it (PLEASE don’t do this to yourself!). But there have also been times when the transition has been remarkably easy. When I….
Josie R.
Age 45, Family member of a Celiac
I’m here to provide you with a perspective you may not have otherwise considered: how does your Celiac disease affect your loved ones? My own husband and brother have had Celiac most of their lives, so naturally I’ve had decades of practice acclimating to the new lifestyle. So, for your family, it’ll be crucial to give them time… lots and lots of it, because your Celiac disease is, unfortunately, here to….
Roberto L.
Rare Disease Advocate
The reality of the situation is simple: you are not alone. Every day, millions of Americans are suffering from the same diseases as you, even if we’re not always thinking about it. The first step to any sort of policy or community change is awareness – a mission I am proud to share with CeliacAware, an organization that works tirelessly to increase awareness of Celiac disease & gastrointes….
Alex C.
Age 19, Lupus Patient
What is Lupus? Let’s start there. According to the Lupus Foundation of America, “Lupus is a long-term disease that can cause inflammation and pain in any part of your body.” Like other autoimmune diseases, it occurs when your body is unable to regulate your immune response. But I like to think of it in other ways. For me, lupus is what happens when I’ve been doing homework for hours in my room and my body starts to ache….