Yvonne Leigh
I am a 63 year old woman who has been Celiac all my life, of course, but only recognized it myself 13 years ago. I discovered my gluten intolerance by accident because I was looking for something else in the Merc Manual. I live in an area of the South that does not believe in Celiac Disease, so professional care in that subject is very scarce. I am one of the Celiacs who store the fat, so I struggle with obesity. I am now comfortable with my limitations.
Living in the Garden of Eden
- By Yvonne Leigh
- Published 02/26/2008
I am Celiac. It is a self-diagnosis and I have yet to find a doctor who even recognizes the disease. I'm still looking. In the meantime, I maintain my own health and try to help others who exhibit the symptoms. Most will refuse the elimination diet. I have learned to accept that fact and pray that those people are not actually gluten intolerant.
This is not a death sentence. If you can use a computer, you live in an area that allows for three meals a day. That is a luxury for a large percentage of the world. Our children are not chewing on sticks as a meal replacement. We are privileged to live in the Garden of Eden and the fruit of all the trees is for our food...except one. If you hang around that tree, it'll start looking good and smelling good and you'll say, "what the heck?" to the consequences. Stay away from it and you'll stay healthy.
There are so many foods available to us that are naturally gluten free and tasty. Many societies actually enjoy a gluten free diet regularly. Thai food is almost all gluten free and our new Mexican immigrants have brought with them some wonderful gluten free goodies along with the recipes and kitchen tools for making them. We have the world at our fingertips.
I wish to encourage my fellow Celiacs to get creative. Become detectives and seek out new foods. Look on this as an adventure, not a prison. I discovered what made me sick when I was 50, having been sick all that time. It makes me glad to find a sad message from someone under the age of 10 who's been diagnosed. That one won't have to be sick as long as I was. To that one, get crackin', and find those gluten-free nuggets and create some desserts to feast our eyes and mouths on. The ball's in your court.
I am Yvonne, signing out.
This is not a death sentence. If you can use a computer, you live in an area that allows for three meals a day. That is a luxury for a large percentage of the world. Our children are not chewing on sticks as a meal replacement. We are privileged to live in the Garden of Eden and the fruit of all the trees is for our food...except one. If you hang around that tree, it'll start looking good and smelling good and you'll say, "what the heck?" to the consequences. Stay away from it and you'll stay healthy.
There are so many foods available to us that are naturally gluten free and tasty. Many societies actually enjoy a gluten free diet regularly. Thai food is almost all gluten free and our new Mexican immigrants have brought with them some wonderful gluten free goodies along with the recipes and kitchen tools for making them. We have the world at our fingertips.
I wish to encourage my fellow Celiacs to get creative. Become detectives and seek out new foods. Look on this as an adventure, not a prison. I discovered what made me sick when I was 50, having been sick all that time. It makes me glad to find a sad message from someone under the age of 10 who's been diagnosed. That one won't have to be sick as long as I was. To that one, get crackin', and find those gluten-free nuggets and create some desserts to feast our eyes and mouths on. The ball's in your court.
I am Yvonne, signing out.
Spread The Word
Comments
#1 ( Monika Draga)
Hi Yvonne,
you are absolutely right! We live in a Garden of Eden but there are many poisonous snails ...
It seems to me that your story could be mine. Discovered guten intolerance myself after 50 years of suffering. My way to cope with this? I moved to the sunniest place of my country (Germany) to put up a project for gluten intolerant holiday makers - as an attempt to make visible our Garden of Eden. Interested to read more about it? I need someone & something to encourage me to write about it in English.
Greetings from Germany,
Monika
#2 ( Carol Frilegh)
This week it's no garden here. My Latex Allergy and MCS have flared from renovations in a nearby suite and I am reacting to so many things I gave to do the Paleo Diet for a while.