I used this day to my advantage by educating people on celiac disease. I also made it my goal to support celiac-friendly businesses.
I am grateful to Dr. Samuel Gee, who is credited with being the first to identify the link between celiac disease and diet. His one simple quote, “If the patient can be cured at all, it must be by means of diet,” says it all.
There are many who will read this post and already know about celiac disease. However, from time to time I like to incorporate the following on the off chance a person might not know about this condition. There is always someone saying, “What the hell is gluten?!,” I’ve heard this too many times to count. I especially like the deer caught in the headlights look when I tell a waiter I have a gluten allergy, and they look at me like I’m crazy. At times it can be exasperating, but I’m not too critical and use this time to educate the clueless wonders of the world.
Celiac disease, also known as gluten intolerance, is a genetic disorder that affects at least one in 133 Americans.For individuals with celiac disease, eating certain types of wheat proteins, commonly called gluten, sets off an autoimmune response that causes damage to the small intestines. This, in turn, causes the small intestines to lose the ability to absorb the nutrients found in food, leading to malnutrition and a variety of other complications. In adolescents, the problem may lead to growth delay, severe gastrointestinal distress or even behavioral issues.
To date, there is no cure for celiac disease! However, treatment can begin immediately. It does not require surgery. It does not require an unending dependence on medication. It does not even require repeated visits to the doctor's office. The best and only known treatment for celiac disease is simply this: an elimination of gluten. Those with celiac must omit all wheat proteins, found in wheat, barley, rye and even some oats.
However, have no fear, because it’s not all doom and gloom for celiacs. We can still have our cake and eat it too, as long as it doesn’t contain gluten. There is an endless assortment of products that cater to the celiac (my kind of people – LOL), so we are doing just fine, thank you very much. Many of the products on the market contain rice, tapioca and potato flours, and they really are delicious. Really!
I recently spent the night in the hospital to have some tests done. It wasn’t anything major, so for my friends who read this, know that I am OK.Sadly, when dietary delivered food to my room it all contained gluten (well, most of it). I was quick to tell the hospital staff of my allergy. Sadly, I found very few people who actually knew what celiac disease was, which left me dumbfounded, to say the least.
When my food arrived I told my nurse I could not eat it because of my gluten allergy. The woman from dietary was still in my room at the time and overheard the conversation. The nurse turned to the dietary technician and said, “This patient can’t have gluten, so please bring him another meal.” The woman clearly had no clue what we were talking about. Sadly, I don’t think the nurse knew either. There were clues, especially when the woman from dietary said, “What do I bring him?” and the nurse said, I don’t know… Ask someone in dietary.” There were a few other clues too, and a Celiac can definitely tell when someone doesn’t get it.
When my remaining meals arrived (three), there was some form of gluten on the tray (cereal, condiments, gravy, etc.).
I thought to myself, if a hospital can’t get it right, what chance do I have in life that others will understand?!However, I’m not that pessimistic. Yes, I'm a little taken back that healthcare professionals were clueless, but hopeful all will remember me and my story, thus making the next patients’ journey with celiac disease a little less daunting.
I don’t need a day to celebrate celiac awareness, but I’m glad we have one. There is something so positive about a concentrated day to educate the masses, and that’s just what I did. I had a few conversations with neighbors, online friends and with a couple of customers who were at Sweet Sin Café (a gluten-free restaurant). By the way, they did not have a gluten allergy, but simply love gluten-free food, especially the food Sweet Sin is serving up. You can’t get a better compliment than that in the gluten-free world.
The pictures in this post represent my gluten-free day, which was heaven. I enjoyed a fabulous pizza and cupcakes from Sweet Sin Bakery, and a few other treats, thanks to some special friends.
I am still living my best life – one meal at a time, and I hope you are too. Cheers! - paerki
