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The Dream That Almost Was: My RAF Journey

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Ben Haggerty

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From a young age, I dreamed of joining the RAF. At first, I wanted to be a pilot, but over time, I didn’t mind what role I had—I just wanted to be part of it. I was thrilled when I passed the initial exam and decided to join the RAF Regiment. The next step was the medical, and that’s where it all went wrong.

The doctor told me I would fail because of what they thought was IBS, a diagnosis I now know was wrong—it was coeliac disease all along. Looking back, I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment. I’ll never know if things could have been different. Even today, I’m not sure if coeliac disease would have stopped me from joining, but I suspect it might have. It’s one of those “what if” moments I’ll always wonder about.

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Hello,

I’m Ben

A bearded man with slicked-back dark hair and a maroon polo shirt smiling warmly while holding a grey mug of coffee towards the camera.

Having been diagnosed with Coeliac Disease over 8 years ago but also suffering from symptoms for about 30 years, I decided to take action. A few years back, I launched a Facebook group to help fellow gluten-free diners in Milton Keynes find the best places to eat. The group quickly became a little sensation. Encouraged by this success, I created another group for the Northampton area a couple of years later. Both groups have become a useful resource for people searching for gluten-free dining options in their respective areas.

Recently, I took a bold step to expand even further and launched The GF Table UK. My mission? To share my journey, experiences, and insights on living a gluten-free lifestyle and to help others navigate their own paths with ease. Here’s to many more gluten-free adventures ahead!

You can catch me on all your favourite social sites, just hit the buttons below. Let’s connect and make the gluten-free community even stronger!

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Some of the earlier images on this site are AI-generated because, let’s be honest, I had neither the time nor the skills to snap Pinterest-worthy photos while juggling another job. But hey, practice makes progress! These days, I’m feeling much braver behind the camera. Happy reading (and judging my photos), everyone!

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