“You Only Live Twice” & NFCA College Survey February 1, 2013

Before my break ends I like to pamper myself before the busy semester begins (AKA Mani/ Pedi). There is something about going to get my nails done, that makes me feel a million times better after! However, because of my RSD/CRPS I have to be very selective of when I can get a pedicure. Due to my hypersensitivity this can be more uncomfortable than relaxing, but since I had a nerve block done on Wednesday and was still numb from the medication I decided to give a pedicure a try. Overall, it was one of the most relaxing pedicures I have had in a while; with only a few discomforts!

Whenever I get my nails done, I have a ritual. First I look at the color, and then I look at the name of the polish. Most of the time, I usually pick up a color I previously had {I know what I like}, and then pick another one because I always like to change it up! When I’m in-between colors {the case most of the time}, I select my polish based on the name I like better. Yesterday, I picked an OPI polish named “You Only Live Twice.” Stop right there! Not only is it glittery and fun, but it is the perfect title for the theme of my life.

Back in November I blogged about being selected to go on an international service trip (ISP) which is part of a program our school’s Campus Ministries hosts. This was beyond exciting for me because this was a program I wanted to do since I was a freshman, but because I was so sick and then diagnosed with food intolerances I believed I had to give up this goal.

After I was diagnosed, I felt like I was given a second chance at life. With this renewed sense of gratitude I believe my gluten sensitivity diagnosis was a blessing. Prior to going gluten-free I missed out on countless opportunities that I will never get back. Because of this, after I began to heal both mentally and physically I vowed to myself to take advantage of every opportunity which is available to me. Sometimes this may mean I have to reach a little out of my comfort zone, which is something that my education at Scranton challenged me to do. At times, it hasn’t been easy, but “going outside” has always resulted in the most growing and rewarding experiences.  Being guided by many professors and mentors, on top of gaining my health back has allowed me to make the best out of my “second life.” SInce I came back to Scranton for graduate school and they recently opened the ISP program to grad students I knew I had to apply; it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass by. This weekend I am excited to go on a retreat to begin the planning process for El Salvador!

My undergraduate experience came with its unique challenges, but I wouldn’t trade any of it or change my decision on the school I pick because through engaging in various opportunities I feel I walked across the graduation stage a better person then I was. Now as a grad student, I can only hope the year and a half will shape me into the best professional I can be.

Having received my diagnosis during my sophomore year, my gluten-free undergrad college experience was unique. I didn’t pick the school based on how accommodating the dining services was or what was nearby in the surrounding area. I had to make it work.

There were aspects which were accommodating and aspects which would have improved my overall gluten-free {undergrad} college experience both on and off campus, but I am grateful I was able to make my college selection because I felt the school was the right fit for me.

I know this is not always the case for prospective gluten-free college freshman, and I want this to change. I want the overall experience to improve for students who have celiac/ gluten sensitivity, and this is why I have begun to work with the NFCA on their College Committee team to help them figure out ways to increase {college student friendly} resources and improve the overall experience of gluten-free college students

Here’s where NFCA needs your help. They need input! What is or was {if recent grad} your college experience like. Please take the time to answer this short survey – share it with gluten-free friends, and if you aren’t a student share the survey with a gluten-free college student you know! The Survey will remain open until February 15th. Have a great weekend.