I have celiac disease, which can make eating with friends and family difficult. I've learned to stand up for myself and my needs.

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"I'm sorry, but if you go to that restaurant, I cannot join you," I said to my aunt over the phone. At the time, I knew the restaurant my aunt and the group she was with was planning to dine at wasn't going to work for me. I had previously contacted the restaurant and someone on staff informed me that they couldn't guarantee that my food would be free of gluten. For me, it was a hard no.