REKA'S STORY
I have known about my celiac disease for 13 years, so I have kept my strict gluten-free diet since then. I was an undergraduate when it seemed I had anemia because of my low ferritin level, and later, after some tests, it cleared up my disease. From my childhood on I had some problems with my digestion, and I was not in my expected height when I was teenager. It was a bit difficult to find out my disease in spite of the fact that my father is a doctor. He thought about celiac disease, when I was about 14, but the head of the paediatric clinic didn't agree with his idea. So, many years has passed before I was diagnosed with celiac disease after the consultation with an internist and gastroenterologist.
First, the diagnosis shocked me, because I realized I cannot eat the way I ate before and it is really important to take my gluten free-diet really strictly. But after some horrible weeks (or maybe months), I could accept my disease and learned to live with it, because life always goes on. After the diagnosis mine and my family’s life changed a lot. In every family meal we ate only gluten-free meals and foods, so it was easy to keep my diet. I never broke up my consciously, because I know the consequences and it could cause me many serious problems.
I choose a strategy in which I share my celiac disease with everybody, hoping that people help me. I'm lucky, because it always works and everybody is really helpful and understanding. If we go out with my friends or with my boyfriend, sometimes we immediately choose gluten-free restaurant or a bar. In normal restaurants, I can constantly speak with the chef or waiters to make and serve me a special, gluten free-meal. I am lucky in my work as well, because according to my job, sometimes I have to organize caterings or a supper for an exhibition opening ceremony or a conference. If I talk to the manager about my disease, they always bring gluten free meals or cakes.
