Living with Celiac Disease

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Could you please tell us a little bit about yourself?

 

I'm Hayden, turning 19 in June, and I have celiac and dyslexia on top of that.

 

What’s the hardest part about living with celiac as a teenager?

 

Finding safe food to eat and explaining to people that it’s not a trend — it’s a real medical condition, and finding food that actually tastes good. I stick to restaurants I trust, like my local Boston Pizza, where I personally know the server, who is aware of my situation.

 

Do you notice the higher price of gluten-free food because it’s trendy?

 

Upfront I really hate it, but I get most of my money back, but it also makes it harder to explain to servers why cross-contamination is serious for me.

 

When did you first find out you had your autoimmune condition? How did you feel?

 

I was almost 9 years old and very confused. It took 4 years to get diagnosed because my doctor was slow. I was sick every morning from ages 5 to 8, complaining to my parents about my discomforts.

 

What challenges have you faced and overcome?

 

At first I was scared to tell restaurants. Now I speak up confidently. At the start I had no idea what was gluten free, but I started being able to identify gluten free items. The biggest ongoing problem is companies change ingredients without warning, so I have to keep checking labels.

 

Do you think people are educated enough on celiac?

 

People are getting better, but restaurant staff still need more training. Many confuse it with lifestyle choices or other allergies like lactose intolerance.

 

Do people take your condition seriously?

 

Some do, especially if they know someone with celiac. Others react dramatically or don’t understand the difference between a trend and a real illness.

 

Is there anything else you’d like to share about your journey with celiac?

 

I used to go to Brigadoon camp for kids with celiac. It was very helpful because I could talk with others who understand. I also had bone problems linked to celiac. Celiac can lead to other health issues like tumours.

 

Interviewer：Kaili

​Date：2026