Keeping the Traveling Celiac Safe--Two Near Disasters

This past week, Rick and I took a mini vacation to the beautiful Smoky Mountains. When traveling with a loved one who has a serious dietary constraint, aka, Celiac, traveling can be anything but enjoyable, especially when eating at unknown food establishments. I tend to go either into a panic mode or an attack mode.

Reality Check Revisited

A couple of months back I made a post about an activity called "Reality Check" (http://brassbrassiere.blogspot.com/2012/09/reality-check.html). As expected, I received both accolades and criticism. I apparently stepped on a number of toes. The exercise was about me--not any specific person although many saw themselves in this little post.

I was very serious when I wrote that piece. My priorities are my husband, my 87 year-old uncle, my home, my puppies and my closest friends. 

Since that time, I have run across several dog and animal lovers along the way as I travel through social networks. Some have inquired about my four little rescues. I know--this is not food related--well, not exactly. My oldest is highly allergic to beef, and I limit her treats to those without wheat, corn or soy. Food issues are all around.

Well folks, here is part of my reality.

Celiac Is Not A Cool Disease

Last week a worthless human being—yes, I am cleaning up my language for you—asked the question “Are you white and a little resentful that black people get their own cool disease, sickle cell anemia? His ranting and raving attempt to denigrate very serious medical conditions is unconscionable. Thus, I am outraged!

First, sickle cell anemia is a very serious medical condition that is life long. There is no cure, making most chronic fatigued. I have watched friends suffer with this disease and have had students to die because of their inability to fight infection. This is not what I would call a “cool disease”!

Second, Celiac and the severely gluten intolerant also have a very serious medical condition that can cause individual to be unable to absorb the nutrients required to maintain health. Neither would I Celiac a cool disease.

Today, I learn that one of the stars on Blue Bloods, Jennifer Esposito, and the character she plays on a leave of absence because she needed a reduced schedule for IV vitamin therapy three times a week. She further says that once she was cleared to return to work, “CBS implied that I was not truly ill and this was a scheme to get a raise!”

Have people lost their minds? In my humble opinion, I would say yes! I become outraged when anyone even remotes suggests that Celiac/gluten intolerant is a fad diet. People like the idiot that called sickle cell anemia and Celiac cool diseases only make it even more different for those of us with loved ones we have to protect to be taken seriously.

You can read Jennifer’s story at http://allergicliving.com/index.php/2012/10/21/actresss-battle-with-cbs-over-celiac-disease/. And no, I not about to share the idiot’s link. I refuse to perpetuate his insensitive ignorance.

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How Full Is Your Cup?

Of all the lessons I learned from my father, viewing my cup as half-full is one of the most valuable. 

The Internet, the television and the newspapers are filled with negativity ranging from political mud slinging to children being kidnapped or bullied to animals being abused and beyond. I open up Twitter only to see more folks complaining about the woes of their life. Sometimes, my emotions take such a beating I have to take two and three day sabbaticals from all the media outlets and social networking sites.