by Brittany Earl
MINOCQUA(WAOW)--Imagine having a disease that you didn't even know about and there's no medicine except your diet. Bread, beer and cookies, some of America's favorite foods and drinks, now imagine a life without them.
That's what people with Celiac Disease face everyday, unable to eat anything with gluten since the protein destroys their small intestine.
Julianne Karow, Gluten Free Expo Organizer says, "Well my husband was diagnosed with Celiac Disease four years ago. Living in a small community makes it very hard to find a support group or products he could eat or even what restaurants he could dine in."
Sylvia Lindwall, Registered Dietitian says, "There is no medication to treat Celiac Disease or gluten tolerance. The only treatment is to avoid gluten and that's where the gluten free diet comes into play."
That's why Julianne helped organize this years largest gluten free expo in Wisconsin, so that people like her husband who suffer from the disease can come and sample gluten free products and find relief.
Heather Collins, Udi's Marketing Manager says, "Availability is very limited especially in this part of the country. So where here so we can have people sample our breads."
1 in 133 people suffer from the genetic disorder, it's the most common Auto Immune Disease in the U.S. but 3% of those people don't know they have it. That's why having options like the expo being held in Minocqua, gives people a chance at a normal life.
"Being in the actual fair and talking to people saying thank you, you have changed my life I can actually sit down and have a piece of bread," said Collins.
"This has become my passion. Its extremely rewarding not only to be able to help other people but to help watch how my husband is able to interact with other people and learn from them has just been the best medicine for the both of us," said Karow
Online Reporter: Brittany Earl
