“Celiac disease is a big part of my life, but it does not define who I am.”
My journey with food allergies began in fourth grade, when I was experiencing severe stomach pain and migraines. I was subsequently diagnosed with Celiac disease which is an illness that damages the lining of the small intestine after eating gluten. I have been on a strict gluten-free diet ever since and it has had a huge impact on my life. I worry about the safety of the food that I consume, especially if it has not been prepared by myself or a member of my family. This has proved to be quite the challenge and more so recently with the Covid-19 pandemic.
When I was first diagnosed, it was hard to find good gluten free foods to eat. I have always been a picky eater, and this made it worse. I also had a tough time explaining Celiac to my friends and how I had to eat differently from everyone else. For example, at birthday parties I could not eat the pizza or cupcakes and even most of the candy in piñatas or goody bags. Most people failed to understand the lengths that I had to go to in order to find safe foods and to make sure that everything was prepared and cooked correctly. I learned very quickly that I would need to pack my own food for school lunches and sometimes for events or sleepovers. Celiac has made me better prepared because I have spent years planning everything ahead of time. I research restaurants and call ahead to make sure that their kitchens can accommodate my needs.
It was also challenging trying to decide on a college because of Celiac. On top of so many educational factors, I also had to consider how well different colleges were able to provide proper nutrition for me. I am proud to say that I just finished my first year of college at Bowling Green State University. During this past year I was able to eat at the dining halls and at a couple places around campus without getting sick, which was fantastic. BGSU caters to different food allergies and I met with the university dietician before classes started. My food options were somewhat limited due to the closure of some dining halls because of Covid-19, but I was permitted to have a refrigerator and microwave in my dorm room.
Celiac disease is a big part of my life, but it does not define who I am. Since being in college, I have met a lot more people who either have Celiac or know something about it. It has helped me so much to realize that other people have gone through and are going through the same things as me. I am hopeful that awareness spreads and that I meet more people who have also been diagnosed with Celiac or other food allergies. This further distribution of knowledge will allow effective treatments and more dietary options in the future.
- Delaney M.