“Eliminating gluten from my diet revolutionized my life.”

Growing up, my childhood was marked by relentless stomach aches, unexplained fatigue, and a general sense of unwellness that I couldn’t put into words. I was constantly sick, malnourished despite eating enough, and often sidelined by sharp abdominal pain, bloating, and discomfort that made school and social life difficult. But instead of receiving compassion or help, my symptoms were dismissed by those around me, including my family. I was labeled a hypochondriac, told that everyone gets stomachaches or that I was just being dramatic. For years, I internalized that message, wondering if maybe it was all in my head.

It wasn’t until adulthood, when I reached a point of desperation, that I started advocating for myself more assertively. I pursued answers with determination, consulting doctors, keeping food journals, and refusing to let vague explanations suffice. Eventually, I was diagnosed with celiac disease, which was a revelation that was both heartbreaking and validating. I finally had proof that what I had endured wasn’t imaginary. It wasn’t normal, and it certainly wasn’t insignificant. This diagnosis became a turning point that allowed me to understand my body and reclaim my health.

Eliminating gluten from my diet revolutionized my life. My pain diminished, my energy returned, and I began to feel nourished for the first time in memory. Emotionally, the diagnosis gave me closure and a sense of peace. I could finally silence the self-doubt that had been instilled in me for so long and begin to trust my own body and instincts again.

What’s more complex is watching my son now face similar struggles. His symptoms echo my own childhood, stomach issues, fatigue, mood swings, and though it breaks my heart to see him suffer, I am grateful to be equipped with knowledge I didn’t have when I was his age. We’ve been able to identify his triggers early and support him in managing his health with clarity and compassion. I mourn the fact that I passed this condition on to him, but I’m also thankful that he doesn’t have to face the same uncertainty and invalidation I did. He knows his pain is real, and more importantly, he knows he’s not alone.

Together, we navigate a world where wheat is nearly everywhere. Birthday parties, school lunches, restaurants, holidays. Celiac disease imposes daily limitations that affect how we socialize, travel, and even celebrate. It’s not just a dietary restriction; it’s a constant negotiation with our environment. But the shared challenge has brought us closer. In each other, we find understanding, strength, and a reason to keep pushing for a healthier, more inclusive life.

In the end, my experience with celiac disease is one of struggle and resilience of being dismissed, then finally heard. And now, as a parent, I can turn that hard-earned knowledge into something powerful: a source of healing, both for myself and for my son.

- Megan