Gluten-Free Living and the Celiac Disease Foundation have a shared vision: to promote the advancement of celiac disease research and spotlight celiac and gluten-free champions in our community. With this vision in mind, Gluten-Free Living is proud to introduce passionate and dedicated CDF Student Ambassadors from across the U.S. Below, meet Ayelet Ravera, a dedicated student who is increasing celiac awareness while dancing competitively.
Celiac Disease Foundation Student Ambassador
When I was in kindergarten, I loved eating pizza at school on Fridays. In fact, I ate whatever I wanted. I got a stomach ache every night, so I complained to my parents, but only when it was my bedtime. They just ignored me because they thought that I just wanted to stay up past my bedtime, but they were wrong. It turns out that I had celiac disease, so now I’m gluten free.
One of my favorite meals is gluten free spaghetti with meat sauce, and some lettuce with strawberry salad dressing on top. My favorite dessert is gluten-free lemon cake that my sister Talia makes. I don’t help prepare those foods, but I do help make gluten-free pizza and granola.
I chose to become a student ambassador because I know that talking about celiac disease and teaching others about celiac disease is fun. I’ve made a speech and played a game that teaches about celiac disease at my school. I also talk about it with my friends and camp counselors, and sometimes even my teachers.
What I like about being gluten free is that when you and family or friends are at a place that there’s food (not gluten free) I bring a snack. I always pack something that I have tried and that I like. Some people do not like the food that is served. So, I’m very happy to have celiac disease. Besides there are so many things that I can do with everyone else, and it just happens that I love to dance. Dance always cheers me up. I dance on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Sundays. I compete in dance and it’s really fun. I love sparkles, especially when they are on my dance costumes.
All of my friends and family always support me and I’m always supporting them back. For instance, my BFF has a whole gluten free cabinet in her house, and my gaga, papa, aunts and uncles always find me new GF treats. I want to say thank you to my family, my friends, and to the dance academy, and the Celiac Disease Foundation!
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