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“My daughter is only 4, and she was diagnosed at the age of 3. I would love for her to enjoy her little school parties without Mommy needing to send in gluten-free replacements. She does not fully understand why she cannot enjoy the same treats her friends do. I always send the gluten-free alternatives of everything, but sometimes she will still say that it’s not fair. And truthfully, it’s not. It breaks my heart.” – Darleen, Katerina’s mom
“I think the hardest part for him is going to birthday parties and family gatherings where he can’t have all the same things as his friends. We find it hard as a family to be spontaneous—we can’t just find a place to go out to eat really quickly or stop for a bite. All of our meals have to be planned and we got to a lot of the same places because we know they are safe for people with celiac disease.” – Kelly, Zac’s mom
“Whether it’s dining out with friends and family or eating at school, I constantly find myself in the position of having to bring my own food to ensure it’s safe for me to consume. This can sometimes feel isolating, as I’m unable to partake in spontaneous food-related gatherings or experiences like my peers. It’s challenging to navigate social situations where food is a central aspect, and I often have to advocate for my dietary needs, which can be uncomfortable and stressful.” – Shavon
“Our 5+ years of living with celiac disease has altered our family tremendously. We help our son feel included everywhere we go. As he grows older, that becomes harder as he is more involved and noticing the food he can and can’t have! We do our best to bring a dessert or meal every time and never expect anyone to cater to him, but we sure do love birthdays that are inclusive where he’s made to feel normal!” – Anna, Emmett’s mom
“Eating out has probably been the most difficult, because of cross-contact. Going to friend’s houses for sleepovers when they have all kinds of snacks that I can’t eat has been hard. I wrestle as well, and eat while on the road at tournament. I have, however, put on 10 lbs in the last year since going gluten-free. I also am not having depression symptoms anymore. My family is always making comments of how they see the old Khloe again.” – Khloe
“To say it was life-changing would be a massive understatement. It took a while to re-train myself to use separate utensils and sponges, to wipe faucets and door handles as well as surfaces. I’m very organized and great at planning, so that helps when we go out; we bring food, call ahead to restaurants, eat before parties, and always triple-check ingredients.” – Corine, mom of Renzo and Weslan
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