Biggest Challenge of Celiac

[gravesl]

Hey guys! I’m a graphic design junior, and we are in the first semester of our capstone. My mom was diagnosed with celiac, so I’m really passionate about helping make the post diagnosis life a little easier. I’m not sure what specific problem within celiac disease to tackle. I have found it helpful to talk to those with celiac about what they find most frustrating or challenging. If anyone has any suggestions on what is most frustrating or what you wished you had to help, it would be much much appreciated!

[RMJ]

Having supportive family makes celiac much easier - so you caring so much is wonderful!

[Jmg]

 

 If anyone has any suggestions on what is most frustrating or what you wished you had to help, it would be much much appreciated!

 

Here's a few ideas (thanks for asking).

1. Ignorance amongst the wider population about the seriousness of Coeliac. It can get dismissed as fad diet, first world problems etc. In reality it's an auto immune disease with very serious potential symptoms up to lymphoma and early death.

2. Dangers of cross contamination. 'Don't be silly. It's only one crumb. A little gluten can't hurt can it?' It's based on an immune system reaction, so yes, the tiniest crumb can make you really ill. If more people understood that they would also understand why people get so paranoid about eating out / at friends etc.  

3. Don't take it personally - when I don't eat the 'gluten-free' cake/salad/whatever that I'm offered. I'm not being rude, I'm being cautious through prior experience. Don't be offended and do take no for an answer.  

3.  This is perhaps more personal. I don't want to be defined by this disease. Sometimes I don't want to talk about it, don't want that conversation about how your sisters auntie can't eat bread. We have certain dietary requirements which we HAVE to adhere to, but otherwise we're just like everyone else. So I don't want to be in a 'celiac/fussy eater/paranoid hypochondriac box'

Now how to encapsulate all that in a simple graphic? Haven't the foggiest idea! Good luck and I hope you post the final image here when it's done. 

 

 

[Newly Diagnosed]

Hi, I was diagnosed in December.  Prior to diagnosis I had no symptoms except heartburn and the heartburn hasn't completely gone away yet so I am thinking the heartburn may not even be related to celiac.  For me the most frustrating thing is that it seems sometimes that my entire life has changed and I wasn't even feeling sick before diagnosis (I know, that should be a good thing, except it was such a huge shock to find out that I was actually sick even though I felt really good).  It can be hard to stick to the diet (I have been, but it's hard) when I have no "consequences" if I don't stick to it.  I know, not exactly true, even though I may not feel sick I have intestinal damage and lots of risks if I don't stick to gluten-free.  Going to events like birthday parties can be difficult.  Even going to the grocery store can be difficult if I am not in the right frame of mind.  I try to think positively about all the good foods that I can still eat and all the really good alternatives there are in gluten free foods.  But sometimes I still get depressed about it.  I think that as time goes by this will happen less.  I would imagine many newly diagnosed people feel this way and go up and down in their moods.  It is nice that you want to help your mom adjust.  Having supportive family has definitely made things easier for me. 

[gravesl]

Thank you so much for all your help! This will make a big difference in my project