With the proliferation of gluten-free blogs out there it is abundantly clear that there is a lot to say about celiac sprue disease and the gluten-free diet and lifestyle.  Celiac sprue is a disease that is believed to affect 1 in 133 people and the vast majority of them have never even heard of it. Through online blogging and the creation of social networking sites, the gluten-free community has taken it upon itself to try to get the word out.  But there are other hurdles to overcome: The inadequate availability of celiac screening,  the price and quality of gluten-free food, and defining the parameters of celiac disease vs. gluten sensitivity are just a few things that still need to be addressed.  These are all challenges that can and will be overcome, the question is what can we do about them?

We at Jen’sGlutenFreeBlog.com have decided to run a series of guest gluten-free bloggers to discuss the question: What are five ways to make a difference in the gluten-free community?  We believe that by gathering a panel of major celiac bloggers and personalities we can get this discussion going and start to affect some change.

Our first contributor is the founder of GlutenFreeFaces.com, Chad Hines.  Determined to help raise celiac awareness, Chad Hines decided to create an online, gluten-free community where individuals could come together and provide support, information and guidance for one another. GlutenFreeFaces.com launched in May of 2009 and helps raise celiac awareness by providing valuable information and an easy-to-use global interactive gluten-free community.  Here is his response to our question:

5 Ways to Make a Positive Difference in the Gluten-Free Community

How can you make a positive difference in the gluten-free community?  The answer is simple…help raise gluten-free awareness in any way that you can!  Since being diagnosed with Celiac Sprue in 1989, I have seen gluten-free awareness increase tremendously.  When I was first diagnosed, not a single one of my friends or family had any clue about Celiac Sprue, and trying to eat out at restaurants?  Forget about it!  Waiters and waitresses thought I was speaking a foreign language when I asked them if an entrée had gluten in it!  Today, gluten-free and Celiac awareness has reached a global level and life as a Celiac has become much, much easier.  In order to continue raising awareness and fighting for the Celiac cause, here are 5 ways that you can help to make a positive difference in the gluten-free community…

1.      Contact the health editor of your local newspaper and ask them if they know about Celiac Disease. Write them a letter and share your story.  Chances are that the health editor has heard about Celiac, but really doesn’t know too much about it.  If you offer to write a short article explaining Celiac and the gluten-free lifestyle, they will most likely be willing to publish your article in the local paper!  This is a great grassroots way to have a positive impact in your local community.

2.      Start a blog!  There are a TON of free sites that can host your blog.  It’s simple, easy and fun to do.   Your blog can discuss anything that you want in regards to living gluten-free.  You can discuss local restaurants, gluten-free products or even talk about your own life experiences with Celiac.  Writing a blog will not only help to raise gluten-free awareness, but your story and experiences could also help other Celiacs in the process.

3.      Use social networking sites, like Gluten-Free Faces (www.GlutenFreeFaces.com), to get in touch with other Celiacs in your area and start a local support group!  Gluten-Free Faces is one of the biggest networks on the Internet dedicated to everything gluten-free! Once you become a member (it’s FREE to join, by the way) you can share recipes, stories and information, ask gluten-free questions, upload photos and videos, post blogs, search articles, read product and restaurant reviews, get the latest gluten-free news and even chat live with other gluten-free individuals from around the world! To become a member, visit www.GlutenFreeFaces.com!

4.      Get involved with a Celiac charity.  Charities like the Celiac Disease Foundation (www.celiac.org) have been helping to raise Celiac awareness for several years.  They have local chapters, annual meetings and have a ton of great information on how to live a happy, healthy gluten-free lifestyle.  In addition, the CDF has a project called “Team Gluten-Free,” which sponsors individuals in local races and marathons and invites people to “race to improve the lives of those with Celiac Disease.”  Supporting a Celiac charity is a great way to get involved and make a positive difference in the community.

5.      Talk to the managers of local restaurants and grocery stores.  You’ll be surprised at how receptive they will be if you take the time to explain to them about Celiac Sprue.  They may even start carrying more gluten-free products or start offering gluten-free items on your menu!

These are 5 ways that you can start making a positive difference in the gluten-free community today!  The next step is in your hands, so go out there and help raise Celiac awareness in any way that you can.