Whereas, Celiac disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects over 2 million Americans; and,

Whereas, Celiac disease causes your body to react to the ingestion of gluten which is a storage protein found in wheat, barley, rye, oats and other derivatives, creating damages to the small intestine preventing the proper absorption of nutrients into the body; and,

Whereas, The some of the symptoms of celiac disease include; fatigue, anemia, headache, and peripheral neuropathy; and,

Whereas, The disease was first described in the second century but the factors of it weren’t described until the 20th century; and,

Whereas, Celiac disease covers a wide spectrum of physical, neurological and immunological conditions; and,

Whereas, The mysterious and mimicking nature of celiac disease makes it a diagnostic puzzle, with no limit to the age at onset or diagnosis and further complicating the process is the fact that symptoms vary from person to person, and now therefore be it,

Resolved, That I, Jennifer M. Granholm, Governor of the State of Michigan, do hereby proclaim October 2003, as Celiac Disease Awareness Month in Michigan and I urge all citizens to be aware of the symptoms of the disease, and seek medical assistance if they should occur.