Looking For A Friend Who Understands

[freedomseek00]

Hi,

I'm 23 years old and was recently diagnosed with celiac and a host of other food allergies and health conditions. I was wondering if there is anyone in the Bay Area, California who can relate and would like to be buddies (email, text, chat online, face-to-face). You don't even really have to be from the Bay Area, I just would like someone to talk to (that's what's so great about the internet). Right now I only have my dad (who is sensitive to gluten but no other food allergies) and my boyfriend (who has no food allergies) and they try to help as much as they can but it's not the same as having someone who can directly relate and who will understand my story. Otherwise, I have no other friends because I've been so sick for the past 5 years until they finally figured out it was food allergies a couple months ago. I'd love having more friends I can talk to and we could support each other Admittingly, I need a lot of support right now, I'm really struggling with accepting that this is my new life.

[rosetapper23]

I live in Martinez in Contra Costa County--whereabouts are you located? There are a number of gluten-free folks in the S.F. Bay Area, and we used to meet up every few months at Mariposa Bakery in Oakland....but it's been a while. If you register at Open Original Shared Link, you'll get invited to local gluten-free meetups. You just missed a one-day gluten-free conference in Palo Alto, but one-day events are fairly common in the Bay Area--lots of new people to meet. Please send me a PM if you'd like to meet up sometime at a restaurant that has a reputable gluten-free menu. If you actually live in S.F., there are some great gluten-free restaurants (even one that serves sandwiches!).

Also, there are some great celiac organizations in the U.S. that hold annual conferences. I'm a member of the Gluten Intolerance Group of North America (GIGNA), and I attend their conferences all over the U.S. I have friends that I've kept in touch with through this organization, and it helps me not to feel so lonely and isolated. There is a local chapter: GIG of North Marin, I believe. They hold monthly meetings in Novato, but because their meetings are in the evening and I have night blindness (from celiac), I haven't yet attended one of their meetings. There are also several forum posters here who live in the Bay Area, though I've never met them personally. Perhaps they'll chime in...

Please feel free to contact me--I remember all too well how overwhelmed and lonely I felt at first. It's been almost nine years for me, so it's gotten a lot better. Hope to hear from you!

[BeckyW]

Hi,

I'm 23 years old and was recently diagnosed with celiac and a host of other food allergies and health conditions. I was wondering if there is anyone in the Bay Area, California who can relate and would like to be buddies (email, text, chat online, face-to-face). You don't even really have to be from the Bay Area, I just would like someone to talk to (that's what's so great about the internet). Right now I only have my dad (who is sensitive to gluten but no other food allergies) and my boyfriend (who has no food allergies) and they try to help as much as they can but it's not the same as having someone who can directly relate and who will understand my story. Otherwise, I have no other friends because I've been so sick for the past 5 years until they finally figured out it was food allergies a couple months ago. I'd love having more friends I can talk to and we could support each other Admittingly, I need a lot of support right now, I'm really struggling with accepting that this is my new life.

I don't live in the CA area but I totally understand how you feel. Besides not being able to eat gluten, I have multiple food issues. The main ones are soy and dairy. I also can't eat alot of vegetables or fruits. It sure can be frustrating and helps to have someone to talk to about all this. I am always willing to talk to you!!