A child’s perspective: What it’s like living with celiac disease

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This article was written by Trinity Clawson, a sixth-grader at Light of the World Academy in Pinckney, explaining what it’s like for someone living with celiac disease.

My name is Trinity Clawson. I enjoy art, fashion design and music. I live in Pinckney.  I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease, close to three years ago. Celiac Disease has changed the way I live my life.

Celiac Disease is an autoimmune disorder. Gluten is like a poison to me. It destroys cells in my intestines. The littlest bit of gluten can make me sick. I have to eat gluten-free. For me it is not a choice, it is necessary to me keep me healthy.

Imagine walking into a restaurant and ordering your favorite dish, but they are out of it. It is like that with Celiac Disease. I walk into a restaurant and most of the time find out I cannot eat there. Much of the time even if the restaurants have gluten-free items, they are cross-contaminated. This means that they are cooked with dishes that contain gluten so I am not able to eat at the restaurant.

Birthdays and special occasions are now difficult for me and my family, and finding a restaurant isn’t always easy. Many of the restaurants I live near are unsafe for me to eat at. I want that to change. I want to be able to eat out with my family without the worries that I will accidentally eat gluten due to cross-contamination.

I know that you all have good in you, so could you help me change the world? As a Student Ambassador, my job is to help find a cure for Celiac Disease by fundraising and teaching people about Celiac Disease. I need you to go out and tell people how serious Celiac Disease is and help us find a cure.

Please consider donating to the Celiac Disease Foundation by visiting www.celiac.org, clicking on Team Gluten Free, and then donate to fundraiser. In the Team Gluten Free member’s name space please type Trinity Clawson, Pinckney MI.

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The Livingston Post is the only locally owned, all-digital information and opinion site in Livingston County, Mich. It was launched by award-winning journalists who were laid off from the Livingston County Daily Press & Argus by Gannett Co. Inc. in 2009.