Share your story of how allergies have shaped your life Share Story Name * First Name Last Name Email * Name listed on website * Please choose how you would like to be displayed on the website, under the stories tab. First name First name and initial of last name In honor of someone (their name) Anonymous If sharing a story in honor of someone Please provide their name to be displayed on the website, under the stories tab. First Name Last Name Story * Please share your story of how allergies have shaped your life. Please do not include confidential or sensitive information. Consent * I consent to Allergies Shaped My Life Foundation's Privacy Statement and Website Terms and Conditions of Use I consent Thank you for sharing your story! Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “So as you can see my allergy is very much a part of my daily life but it does not define me.” Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “Cooking has become a creative outlet and a way to connect with family and friends.” Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “Gluten was everywhere!” Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “I know I am more than my Celiac Disease, but it is a large part of who I am.” Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “I switched to eating completely gluten free the same day my tests came back, and after a few months all of the symptoms went away.“ Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “In a way, being diagnosed with Celiac Disease has both limited my food options and expanded my palate.” Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “Whether in sports or at the dinner table, I’ve learned that success isn’t about fitting in, it’s about finding your own way to stand tall.” Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “My peanut allergy is just one small part of who I am, but it has played a powerful role in shaping the person I am today.” Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “The experience also opened my eyes to the power of medical care and the impact that compassionate healthcare providers can have. “ Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “I hope that one day future generations will understand food allergies better, and grow to understand what people need/deserve.” Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “Eliminating gluten from my diet revolutionized my life.” Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “Over time, it shapes you to not only be aware of your own health but also empathetic toward others facing invisible struggles.” Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “Food allergies do not need restrictions or require blue paper barriers but instead more knowledge, empathy, and generalized understanding by the public.” Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “Living with these allergies has brought both challenges and unexpected lessons.” Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “It has helped me determine which of my friends are worth keeping because they would make sure I have food to eat and make sure it is safe for me.” Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “While being gluten free is hard, it has taught me so much.” Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “It’s not easy living with a severe allergy, but it’s taught me a lot.” Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “I used to see my food allergy as a vulnerability; however, I now view it as a source of power.” Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “I don't want to be known as just an allergy kid.” Read More Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “My allergy has promoted a deep sense of self-reliance, forcing me to become an advocate for my own health and well-being.” Read More Older Posts
Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “So as you can see my allergy is very much a part of my daily life but it does not define me.” Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “Cooking has become a creative outlet and a way to connect with family and friends.” Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “I know I am more than my Celiac Disease, but it is a large part of who I am.” Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “I switched to eating completely gluten free the same day my tests came back, and after a few months all of the symptoms went away.“ Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “In a way, being diagnosed with Celiac Disease has both limited my food options and expanded my palate.” Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “Whether in sports or at the dinner table, I’ve learned that success isn’t about fitting in, it’s about finding your own way to stand tall.” Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “My peanut allergy is just one small part of who I am, but it has played a powerful role in shaping the person I am today.” Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “The experience also opened my eyes to the power of medical care and the impact that compassionate healthcare providers can have. “ Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/22/25 “I hope that one day future generations will understand food allergies better, and grow to understand what people need/deserve.” Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “Eliminating gluten from my diet revolutionized my life.” Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “Over time, it shapes you to not only be aware of your own health but also empathetic toward others facing invisible struggles.” Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “Food allergies do not need restrictions or require blue paper barriers but instead more knowledge, empathy, and generalized understanding by the public.” Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “Living with these allergies has brought both challenges and unexpected lessons.” Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “It has helped me determine which of my friends are worth keeping because they would make sure I have food to eat and make sure it is safe for me.” Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “While being gluten free is hard, it has taught me so much.” Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “It’s not easy living with a severe allergy, but it’s taught me a lot.” Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “I used to see my food allergy as a vulnerability; however, I now view it as a source of power.” Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “I don't want to be known as just an allergy kid.” Read More
Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 Giordana Koutavas 8/13/25 “My allergy has promoted a deep sense of self-reliance, forcing me to become an advocate for my own health and well-being.” Read More