“One thing that I have learned through all this is the importance of getting involved with the celiac disease community. While it is definitely more challenging at times than others, I’ve learned resilience and have grown stronger through having these experiences.”

“When I described my inconsistent symptoms to the doctor, even he didn’t think I had celiac disease due to the randomness of my reactions. However, he decided to test me for celiac disease regardless.”

“It’s not easy. But I’m pretty good at it, and I feel like I can travel anywhere.”

“Living with celiac disease doesn’t necessarily define me, but it absolutely helps shape who I am.”

“I would experience a tightness in my chest, as if the food was stuck. Many times I figured that I had eaten too fast and just let the feeling pass.”

“I’ve become passionate about advocating and educating others about celiac disease. It’s been a challenging journey, but I hope to help others navigate their own path toward diagnosis and healing.”

“One thing I wish had been explained to me is how living with CD could impact my body long-term and potentially increase my risk for other chronic illnesses.”

“Countless doctors appointments and tests later I still had no answer to what was causing all these issues that deeply impacted my life.”

“Prior to my celiac disease diagnosis, I was always in the kitchen cooking with my grandma, making meals for my family. I enjoyed having the freedom of eating whatever I wanted.”

“I believe the forced restrictions of my diet since such an early age contributed to my eating disorder.”

“A cure for celiac disease could mean the return of the life I once knew. Being recently diagnosed, there is a mourning period you go through for the life you once had.”

“It would have been nice if I was screened after my miscarriages by my OB, and if I had some guidance to how long to be on a gluten-free diet before becoming pregnant again.”