“Over time, it shapes you to not only be aware of your own health but also empathetic toward others facing invisible struggles.”

Being diagnosed with Celiac disease at nine years old was a devastating and confusing experience. I was just beginning fourth grade, starting in a new environment, adjusting to new routines, and suddenly, something I had never even heard of was dropped into my life. Navigating a food allergy at a young age made me feel isolated, embarrassed, and like a burden. And while those feelings were constant in childhood, they still surface even fourteen years later.

At the time of my diagnosis, Celiac disease was still relatively unknown. There weren’t many gluten-free options available, and most people didn’t understand what it meant to live with the condition. I remember the day I found out, I went through every item in my kitchen, reading labels, only to discover that more than half of the foods contained ingredients I could no longer eat. I felt completely lost and alone. School was especially tough, I always had to eat something different from my peers, and they would often ask why my food looked strange. What started as curiosity on their part quickly turned into embarrassment on mine. I began to dread mealtimes, especially around others. It wasn’t just that my food was different, it became a whole ordeal, a spotlight on how I wasn’t like everyone else. To this day, I still sometimes hide my food or avoid drawing attention to it, just to escape questions and looks.

My allergy made me feel like a burden to the people around me. My mom had to completely change her cooking. She was adjusting recipes, finding substitutes, spending more time in the kitchen. Gluten-free groceries were more expensive, and our receipts doubled overnight. Every social event, parties, dinners, vacations, came with the same question: “What is she going to eat?” Sometimes, the entire recipe or plan had to be changed just for me, which added to my guilt. I didn’t want to inconvenience anyone, but it always felt like I did.

These feelings haven’t entirely gone away. Fourteen years later, I still find myself battling those same emotions when food is involved. But over time, I’ve also come to see how much this experience has shaped me. My allergy has made me more resilient, creative, and adaptable. I've learned how to adapt, how to find or create meals that work for me, and how to make the best of situations that once filled me with dread. It teaches you to become more mindful and adaptable in the face of obstacles and how to advocate for yourself. It can push you out of your comfort zone, exploring new foods and restaurants, turning eating into a bit of an adventure. Over time, it shapes you to not only be aware of your own health but also empathetic toward others facing invisible struggles. Most importantly, I've started to unlearn the belief that I’m a burden. While it will always be a part of my life, I now see it as something that has empowered me in unexpected ways.

- Anonymous