Hey there, I’m Olivia! I am a college student from Dubuque, Iowa. My journey started a year ago after having years of symptoms and health issues related to celiac disease. I was finally diagnosed after getting referred to a specialist when my symptoms worsened and started to greatly affect my every day activities.
The transition to a gluten-free diet was difficult at first since I transitioned to this diet on campus as a college student rather than with my family and their support; however, I have found a lot of support and resources on my campus.
In the process of being diagnosed and now managing my celiac disease, I found myself having to continuously advocate for myself and educate those around me. Having this disease can feel isolating, and by becoming a Reach Beyond Celiac Ambassador, I hope to help the newly diagnosed feel less alone as well as to continue to educate about and promote awareness of celiac disease.
