faces of celiac disease

Real people with a real disease.

3 million Americans and millions more around the world suffer from celiac disease (a staggering 83% of them undiagnosed). This is a real disease affecting real people. Women and men. Young and old. All eating gluten-free to survive and to thrive. What better way to raise awareness than to show the actual faces behind the disease; to build a wall with our pictures and our stories. To learn a bit more about each person below and what celiac disease means to them, mouse over their picture (or tap the pic if you’re on mobile).

Please do your share in raising awareness by adding YOUR FACE and YOUR STORY. Just fill out this form.

[Currently on the Wall: 1,708. Keep ’em coming.]

View by First Name:

Mabel
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2011. Celiac disease is a REAL disease and I don't think people get that. And I'm 9.

Mac
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 1993. Celiac disease is my best friend. It starts when i was 7 months and lasts till now 🙂

Macy
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2012. Celiac disease taught me that kids with allergies can still have fun!

Madeline
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2012. Celiac disease is a bond between aunt and niece, plus a built-in support system.

Madelyn
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2014. Celiac disease was a struggle in the beginning. However, it has helped me eat healthier.

Madison
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2017. Celiac disease does not make me high maintenance.

Maggie
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2008. Celiac disease does not have to be a problem! If we are treated with sincerity and respect.

Marie
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2016. Celiac disease doesn't hold me back from adventure! I am fierce.

Makalya
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2015. Celiac disease is a part of what will shape my life and character.

Malissa
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2015. Celiac disease has changed my life. It took 44 of my 45 years to be diagnosed.

Mallory
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2006. Celiac disease is a life long battle but my life is worth it!

Mandy
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2013. Celiac disease is a constant struggle but I will live a fullfilled healthy life.

Marc
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2010. Celiac disease makes me stronger!

Marcia
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2012. Celiac disease Is a life changer! Misdiagnosed as R.A. for too many years.

Marcie
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2014. Celiac disease was initially a shock, but has become manageable and I feel so much better!

Margaret
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2001. Celiac disease awareness is my passion. There are too many people suffering needlessly.

Margo
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2014. Celiac disease almost killed me. It took 3 years to get a correct diagnosis.

Maria
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2012. Celiac disease will not defeat me! Im a warrior.

Marian
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2013. Celiac disease taught me how to cook like a boss.

Mariann
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2007. Celiac disease - Now 10 Years Healthy!!

Marianne
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2009. Celiac disease has changed my life, but I'm eating healthier because of it.

Maricela
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2010. Celiac disease only took nearly 40 yrs to diagnose.

Maricell
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2014. Celiac disease was validation. Now, I can live and live well gluten free!

Marina
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2017. Celiac disease is real. Gluten-free isn't a fad for me.

Mario
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2012. Celiac disease has made me much more aware of all bad foods I was putting in my body.

Marion
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2003. Celiac disease means that I can never relax and eat but must be constantly vigilant.

Maris
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2012. Celiac disease Is not going to stop me.....

Marissa
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2009. Celiac disease is NOT a fad diet.

Mark
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2008. Celiac disease: A LOVE HATE RELATIONSHIP!

Marlene
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2014. Celiac disease has cleaned up my diet, I eat much healthier and can get back to my life!

Martha
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2000. Celiac disease Is exhausting, and can be embarrassing. I do what I can to be an ambassador.

Mary
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2012. Celiac disease doesn't define me, but it does rule my life.

Maryanne
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2014. Celiac disease is not fun but I'm gluten free!

Mason
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2010. Celiac disease makes you appreciate health, friends, GF cupcakes and Titos vodka.

Matthew
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2015. Celiac disease is possibly the most misunderstood disease ever by those who don't have it..

Maura
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2009. Celiac disease does not define me but I do miss bagels.

Maureen
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2014. Celiac disease, getting that diagnosis, changed my life!

Max
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2012. Celiac disease: I'm so much happier and healthier now that gluten is out of my system!

Max
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 1986. Celiac disease was a great excuse to learn how to cook and bake.

Meg
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2011. Celiac disease isn't funny but requires a sense of humor.

Meg
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2012. Celiac disease completely changed my life.

Meg
was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2011. Celiac disease Can't stop my dream of becoming a chef! GF cooking can still be amazing!

Meg
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2014. Celiac disease Allowed me to become a mom after getting being misdiagnosed for 12+ years!

Meg
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2016. Celiac disease is no joke, but it is manageable with a fantastic support system.

Megan
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2012. Celiac disease sux when people say it would be easier if you could just eat normal for once.

Meghann
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2014. Celiac disease is Degrading.

Melanie
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2003. Celiac disease has challenges but could be much worse.

Melinda
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2015. Celiac disease makes eating a challenge. Praying for a cure besides eating gf.

Melis
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2019. Celiac disease impacts every area of my life. I refuse to let it define me.

Melissa
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2014. Celiac disease has built my character in ways I would never have imagined.

Melody
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2013. Celiac disease is a disease not a fad.

Merrick
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2014. Celiac disease impacts my daily life in many ways! Glad to be diagnosed finally!!

Merrie
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 1978. Celiac disease helped shape me into a strong woman and an excellent cook.

Mia & MaeBelle
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2016. Celiac disease has been challenging for our family, but now we are so very healthy!

Micah
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2014. Celiac disease sent me into failure to thrive, but now GF, I'm thriving once again!

Micayla
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2010. Celiac disease meant no longer could anyone say I was too fat to be suffering from gluten.

Michael
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2009. Celiac disease is my constant companion.

Michaela
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2014. Celiac disease is exhausting.

Michele
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2015. Celiac disease has changed my life for the better!

Michelle
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2014. Celiac disease isn't a fad for me. Gluten-free is essential to my long-term health.

Mike
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2009. Celiac disease was almost the end of me. I am 6'4" and was 125 lbs at 1 point.

MIranda
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2007. Celiac disease will always try to control my life, but I will never let it.

Misty
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2018. Celiac disease is what's wrong! I didn't just lose my mind and 60lbs!!

MK
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2014. Celiac disease Can be silent and runs in families. GET TESTED!

Molly
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2011. Celiac disease leaves me empowered by being in charge of my own treatment & health.

Monica
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2008. Celiac disease Is just one part on me.

Monika
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2013. Celiac disease is horrible and sucky, but the diagnosis changed my life in the best ways.

Monique
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2012. Celiac disease diagnosis has improved my health, happiness, and quality of life.

Morgan, Madison, Muriel
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2014. Celiac disease is a pain, but won't stop us!

Mrsewe
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2007. Celiac disease is more than a "pain in the gut".

Stephanie & Makenzie
I was diagnosed with celiac disease in 2017. Celiac disease Is not the only thing I gave my daughter. She also got my hair and eyes!!

Who I am. And who I'm not.

I AM someone who's been gluten-free since 2007 due to a diagnosis of severe celiac disease. I'm someone who can steer you in the right direction when it comes to going gluten-free. And I'm someone who will always give you the naked truth about going gluten free.

I AM NOT someone who embraces this gluten-free craziness. I didn’t find freedom, a better life or any of that other crap when I got diagnosed. With all due respect to Hunter S. Thompson, I found fear and loathing of an unknown world. But if I can share my wisdom, tell my stories and make the transition easier on you, I’ve done my job.

Follow me on this journey

I hate to drive alone

Download my app

And live a better gluten-free life

Send me a message

I'm all ears