Hello! My name is Andrea, and I have one of the best (yet hardest) jobs on earth. I'm a second grade teacher. My life revolves around 7 year olds and their needs. Although (more times than not) there are times that are extremely challenging and trying, I can honestly say that I look forward to going to work each day.

However, sometimes I feel like I have another job to do when I'm not actually working, and that's just trying to live. I don't mean for that to sound dramatic, but food is, and always has been, a huge part of my life. I come from an Irish and an Italian background and food was the focus of every family gathering. I remember the days when I could eat whatever I wanted, especially since those days weren't even that long ago. I'm 31 years old. At 28 years old, I developed peanut, tree nut and coconut allergies. I had a few ER trips and now carry an Epi-pen with me wherever I go. To make matters worse, a year and half ago I was diagnosed with Celiac Disease.

When I read the letter that was sent in the mail by my GI doctor, my heart sank. I thought my life was over. My father had just passed away from Refractory Celiac Sprue complications. I saw what he had gone through. I pictured myself in the hospital bed instead of my father, suffering, and thought that was in the cards for me. I didn't know what to do or where to go from there. It's funny-- I was so clear headed back then when my mother and I were taking care of him. I knew exactly what he could eat (although it was much harder back then to find gluten free foods, and he tended to cheat on his diet frequently). I read labels, I knew the hidden sources of gluten, and I knew every precaution he should take. What I needed was some time to shake the cobwebs out and deal with the fact that I had yet another challenge to take on in my life. What I did for my father I now have to do for myself. I now have to read the label of every food I eat-- even more so than before. I have to remember all of the hidden sources of gluten. I have to take the extra precautions for all of my allergies and for my disease. A hospital bed is not in the cards for me.

I can still live a full happy life. I am living one. Yes, managing my allergies and my disease is a job, but I’m getting used to it. And like teaching, this job is something I look forward to doing each day.

I'm looking forward to sharing my experiences with people living with and without Celiac Disease. I'd like to help others and teach others how to live healthy and happily.