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<channel><title><![CDATA[Celiac Disease & Gluten-free Diet Information at Celiac.com - Comments for article: Is a Food Allergy a 'Legitimate' Disability?]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com</link><description /><language>en-us</language><copyright><![CDATA[http://www.celiac.com]]></copyright><generator>N/A</generator><webMaster>scott@celiac.com</webMaster><lastBuildDate>Tue, 21 May 2013 12:37:35 PDT</lastBuildDate><ttl>20</ttl><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #1]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14737</link><description><![CDATA[I would have a hard time trusting them anyway.  It's so hard to avoid cross-contamination, but what other choice does a starving college student have?   Many schools have a mandatory meal plan, in which case they should accommodate special needs.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by gretajane@gmail.com at 12:41 am, Sat 9th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (gretajane@gmail.com)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Sat, 09 Feb 2013 00:41:34 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14737</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #2]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14783</link><description><![CDATA[I have two children (21 and 14) with celiac disease.  I agree that it would be nice if universities did consider celiacs under the disability act... as this is a serious life long auto immune disease.  

I would also like to add that my 21 year old is a 4th year University of Waterloo (30,000 students) in Waterloo Ontario Canada and he has managed just find.  First year the university did accommodate him and he was allowed to live in a residence where he had his own kitchen so he prepared all his food every day.  Years 2-4 the student find their own housing so there was no issue here.  There is a huge increase of restaurants and grocery stores carrying gluten free foods so my son never went without.  He also was able to go to the bars (drinking age 19) and enjoy a cider beer or rum and coke.  We have to prepare our children to be on their own.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by erica at 3:47 am, Mon 11th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (erica)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 11 Feb 2013 03:47:10 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14783</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #3]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14787</link><description><![CDATA[I think the question should only be whether or not the DOJ should be mandating it.  I do have celiac and a child with celiac - we also have milk allergy among other items.  I say no.  It's amazing what can get done in a school district with parents working together with food preppers.  We have a Gluten Free Menu available.  There actually are a lot of colleges and universities that offer gluten free options.  We are a nation of cry babies.  Have your high school student to a report on the college they've chosen and have them go in and work it out.  If they are met with problems then go help them out.  Stop crying and expecting the gov. to help you.  EVEN IF THE GOVERNMENT DOES DO something... I would still go in and see first hand exactly what they are doing and where they are buying their products, etc.  Does it take a LOT of extra time, work, and money... yes, but I wouldn't let someone else take control of my health anyway.  <br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Christine at 5:52 am, Mon 11th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Christine)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 11 Feb 2013 05:52:33 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14787</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #4]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14791</link><description><![CDATA[I was diagnosed with Celiac disease 7 years ago, and I 100% think it should be considered a disability. Most of the food industry is ignorant when it comes to gluten-free and think of it as a fad diet. If they were properly trained and monitored then people in my situation wouldn't be looked at like they have 3 heads when they order something gluten-free. In Italy, employers give their employees with celiac disease one extra day off a month to go out and purchase their gluten-free food because it is sold in the pharmacies. Just frustrating that people don't see this disease for what it is: a disability, and not just some sort of fad. <br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Danielle at 7:30 am, Mon 11th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Danielle)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 11 Feb 2013 07:30:48 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14791</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #5]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14794</link><description><![CDATA[Colleges can't have it both ways: they either need to make an exception to mandatory meal plans for people with food allergies, or accommodate them.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Renee at 9:41 am, Mon 11th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Renee)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 11 Feb 2013 09:41:34 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14794</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #6]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14795</link><description><![CDATA[I have a child getting ready to go to college next year who has celiac disease.  I'm very worried about her being able to eat safely while she's away. I don't know if colleges should be mandated to provide allergy friendly choices (we have too much legislation as it is), but I do think that it is the responsible thing to do.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Kathy at 10:09 am, Mon 11th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Kathy)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 11 Feb 2013 10:09:19 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14795</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #7]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14797</link><description><![CDATA[Many times college students are required to live on campus and pay for a food card. They shouldn't be forced to pay for something they can't use. With the growing number of people with food allergies, there is no reason that they shouldn't be accommodated. I think this is just part of the ongoing education, and that years from now we'll look back and wonder what took so long.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Shari at 12:30 pm, Mon 11th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Shari)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:30:15 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14797</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #8]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14798</link><description><![CDATA[Of course celiac and food allergies in general should be considered a disability and therefore students or anyone that uses a dining hall for meals with no other resources should be accommodated. When we were looking at colleges for our daughter, the dining hall was a significant factor in determining which college she would go to. With the possibility of dire consequences when gluten is consumed, it is imperative that schools and other institutions recognize the need and make reasonable accommodations.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Mardi at 12:42 pm, Mon 11th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Mardi)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:42:29 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14798</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #9]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14799</link><description><![CDATA[Hans von Spakovsky obviously doesn't have celiac disease or he would better understand how "dangerous" it can be.  Universities/colleges should have the common sense (maybe I'm expecting too much from our institutions of higher learning)to already provide for students who have food allergy problems without the interference of "Big Brother". 
The ultimate question, I think, is what ever happened to common sense and wanting to help people?  I have celiac disease and live with the difficulties it creates whenever I have to eat, even at home.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Rich at 12:46 pm, Mon 11th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Rich)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:46:50 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14799</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #10]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14807</link><description><![CDATA[I am a celiac and I am not sure they need to call it a disability but there should be options for the kids at college. If they do not have any other option then I think the school is not providing for them.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by teresa at 1:27 pm, Mon 11th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (teresa)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 11 Feb 2013 13:27:46 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14807</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #11]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14809</link><description><![CDATA[Those of us with food allergies should DEFINITELY be considered handicapped. As a landscape architect, I am not allowed to put a bench under a tree in a commercial landscape unless I provide handicapped access to it, even if there are already a hundred benches not far away with handicapped access.  THAT seems like overreach to me.  BUT to be able to go to college and live in the dormitories, you have to be able to eat on campus. All people should be able to have access to food.  I have multiple food allergies and traveling is a nightmare.  Now they won't even let me take my specialty foods on the airlines, so I HAVE NOT flown for over a decade.  Last time I had to evacuate a hurricane I ended up passed out in the parking lot of a grocery store that didn't have any protein that I could purchase that did not need to be cooked, except for a can of tuna fish, which I had already eaten 2 cans of that day.  I have been warning restaurants for years that class action suits are in their future if they don't start offering alternatives for people with food allergies.  I should be able to walk into any restaurant or cafeteria in this country and be able to eat at least one meal, and lettuce with lemon squeezed on it does NOT count.  I am also sick and tired of calling up the restaurants ahead of time to determine that there is something I can eat and then when I show up getting an entirely different story.  AND I am sick and tired of being poisoned even after giving a list of my allergens, simply because often they don't even have ingredient lists on their pre-packaged food, or they don't think to look at the ingredients of sauces and such.  I'm always being told that the lemon butter or garlic butter is safe, and yet it ends up not being real butter, OR the garlic was stored in soy oil, or some such.  I encourage everyone with food allergies and sensitivities to challenge every restaurant they pass by...  to constantly request equal access... to continue to educate the uneducated.  <br/><br/>
(Comment posted by maverita at 2:08 pm, Mon 11th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (maverita)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:08:07 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14809</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #12]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14810</link><description><![CDATA[Our government has not done enough to keep pollution out of our air and water and soils.  I grew up downwind of the above ground nuclear testing sites in the southwest.  The air was filled with the aroma of petroleum.  The information that cigarettes and liquor were unhealthy for forming fetuses was hidden by tobacco and liquor corporations, so my mother smoked and drank all the way through her pregnancies.  I blame my allergies on the systematic destruction of our environment by corporations and government.  SO, YES, I think that food allergies are a legitimate handicap.  Anyone who does not think so should walk in my shoes for a few weeks.  <br/><br/>
(Comment posted by maverita at 2:14 pm, Mon 11th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (maverita)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 11 Feb 2013 14:14:58 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14810</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #13]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14812</link><description><![CDATA[If colleges and universities require any students to pay for room and board, to require that someone with celiac disease pay for such room and board, while not offering safe meals, they are obviously blatantly discriminating against us. Furthermore, such action is obvious extortion, and forcing someone to pay to be poisoned is the height of absurdity. Celiac disease is a disability, and that issue has already been settled.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Michael at 3:37 pm, Mon 11th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Michael)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:37:07 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14812</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #14 (Reply to Comment #13)]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14825</link><description><![CDATA[I agree, Michael.  My daughter is attending college now.  Although they say they have gluten-free options, she has run into situations where contamination was an issue.  She has also found that the dedicated gluten-free station does not always have the greatest choices.  It's usually rice and some kind of tofu choice.  Not always too appetizing.  We pay quite a bit of money for her room and board.  It would be nice to know that there is a more serious effort to provide for students with celiac disease, gluten sensitivity, or even other food related allergies.  I think a better effort needs to be made by these colleges.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Kerrey at 4:52 am, Tue 12th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Kerrey)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 12 Feb 2013 04:52:14 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14825</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #15]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14813</link><description><![CDATA[Right wing extremists don't believe in taking care of the disabled in the first place, so this total lack of compassion is not a surprise from Fox. Being gluten intolerant, I can pick my way through menus to find food to eat. Celiacs have to be even more vigilant. It's a shame the government has to step in to get a college to accommodate this disorder. But the ignorant lack of compassion of Spakovsky's reaction says it all, doesn't it?! The government has to step in just because of people like him in the first place.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Cherri at 4:25 pm, Mon 11th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Cherri)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 11 Feb 2013 16:25:23 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14813</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #16]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14814</link><description><![CDATA[Jefferson-- Thank you for making me aware of this. I'm surprised I didn't catch it on FOX's website already. I appreciate all of the work you do on behalf of those with celiac and other conditions. 

I just posted my thoughts on this at my blog and will be sending a copy to Mr. von Spakovsky. The issue here is the role of the government more than having empathy for food allergic people, but there has to be some recognition under the ADA or it's not being applied fairly. <br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Heidi Hiatt at 5:55 pm, Mon 11th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Heidi Hiatt)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 11 Feb 2013 17:55:24 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14814</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #17]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14819</link><description><![CDATA[I Do believe that schools, hospitals, nursing homes and any other institution that is providing food for large numbers of people who have few or no other resources Should accommodate those with food allergies.  HOWEVER, to call a food allergy a disability opens a GIANT can of worms when it comes to public expense and responsibility. Calling it a disability puts people in line for a large variety of benefits that the working class have to pay for. And where does the line get drawn with such a BROAD number of food allergies out there? From commonly used to rarely used foods.  As with other "disabilities" Should someone with a "food allergy" to radishes be deserving of government medical care, housing assistance, etc, etc. Yeah, THAT SEEMS silly, but THINK about ALL of the repercussions to labeling something as a DISABILITY.  <br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Jane at 7:18 pm, Mon 11th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Jane)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 11 Feb 2013 19:18:52 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14819</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #18 (Reply to Comment #17)]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment15995</link><description><![CDATA[Celiac disease is not a food allergy... part of the process is to maintain a gluten-free diet.  So celiac disease, which is known to damage the bowels and intestines would be the disability. I don't think it should be listed as a disability, however, I think it's important to educate yourself prior to posting on a site about celiac disease if you do not know what it is.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Annalise at 8:08 am, Wed 8th May 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Annalise)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 08 May 2013 08:08:57 PDT]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment15995</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #19]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14823</link><description><![CDATA[At the most conservative level, this is really only an issue worthy of federal mitigation if students are forced to purchase a meal plan.  If this is not the case, then perhaps families should be permitted to apply for federal aid to assist students with debilitating food intolerance.   <br/><br/>
(Comment posted by sc'Que? at 1:17 am, Tue 12th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (sc'Que?)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 12 Feb 2013 01:17:32 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14823</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #20]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14827</link><description><![CDATA[I too have celiac disease and attend college courses. I have to accommodate myself by bringing in my own meals/snacks. If I should forget to bring something, I have very little choice to eat that day at class. Yes, DoJ should get involved to provide equal rights in the college/universities for those who suffer from food allergies. Many do NOT know or understand the severity of food allergy issues.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Donna at 8:26 am, Tue 12th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Donna)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 12 Feb 2013 08:26:48 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14827</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #21]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14831</link><description><![CDATA[I have celiac disease, I do not consider myself handicapped or disabled. Would it be awesome if everywhere I went had gluten-free options and were knowledgeable about cross contamination? YES. Do I really think that can happen? NO. I know that university cafeterias have people that care, but they are largely staffed by students that don't give a rip; I'm not going to trust them to not contaminate my food. Maybe the best option is just to talk to the food services director and see if something can be done on an individual basis instead of mandating an entire menu/area for about 1% of the student population. <br/><br/>
(Comment posted by rastas at 10:03 am, Tue 12th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (rastas)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 12 Feb 2013 10:03:27 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14831</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #22 (Reply to Comment #21)]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment15388</link><description><![CDATA[I also have celiac disease. I travel for a living. What's most difficult is trying to find just enough food to keep me in ONE meal a day - without having to haul bread that weighs as much as a brick every time I go somewhere. I've been left with MULTIPLE deficiencies due to malnutrition by not being diagnosed early. So YES, celiac disease is a true disease and carries many health issues with it. Spend some time in Europe - or Brazil as an example. ALL foods are properly labelled and marketed and restaurant staff are very well informed about foods and what they can do to some people. I'm Canadian. We have many areas at the University of Toronto as an example, where students can go to eat if they're ridden with food allergies... unfortunately, celiac disease still hasn't been properly addressed. However, I can say that Toronto is a blooming metropolis of epicure and knowledgeable chefs.

I challenge von Spakovsky to eat like we MUST eat every day for a month... but better yet, let's put a drop of arsenic or other poison in his food each meal and each coffee. He'll get the idea soon enough.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Cat at 2:57 pm, Mon 4th Mar 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Cat)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Mon, 04 Mar 2013 14:57:01 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment15388</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #23]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14833</link><description><![CDATA[Yes, celiac disease is a handicap and should be 
considered a federal disability.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by gen at 11:52 am, Tue 12th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (gen)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 12 Feb 2013 11:52:55 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14833</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #24]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14834</link><description><![CDATA[Celiacs face a real dilemma, trying to eat gluten-free in gluten-full environments. Yet the best means to address the need is not to mandate something from the federal level which will only give cause to raise the price of a university education. (Think $500 hammer!) The approach of "reasonable accommodations" could be explored - providing kitchens or allowing minimal cooking in dorm rooms (crock pots, etc), dedicating at least one university restaurant to allergy-free meals (many universities have food courts), providing transportation and discounts at local allergy-free restaurants... 
It sometimes takes persistence and being the "squeaky wheel" to have a need recognized, but the best solution is NOT having the government step in.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Iris at 12:03 pm, Tue 12th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Iris)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 12 Feb 2013 12:03:12 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14834</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #25]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14844</link><description><![CDATA[Having celiac disease is a major health issue. It is a disability when you cannot eat safely outside of your home due to the fear of cross contamination. When paying to go to a private university, a student with celiac disease should absolutely have access to food prepared safely. 
I could not disagree with you more Mr. Hans von Spakovsky!  <br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Lori at 6:48 pm, Tue 12th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Lori)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 12 Feb 2013 18:48:31 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14844</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #26]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14852</link><description><![CDATA[Celiac disease IS a disability and YES colleges who mandate students purchase a meal plan should be held responsible for providing food for students with food allergies. All food handlers should undergo mandatory food allergen training.  The cost of higher education is astronomical. To think you are paying for a meal plan that you cannot use is like paying for a mandatory gym membership for your pet. Would you do that?<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Beverly at 5:44 am, Wed 13th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Beverly)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Wed, 13 Feb 2013 05:44:53 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14852</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #27]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14887</link><description><![CDATA[Celiacs disease becomes a disability when one's choices of schools are limited by their food intolerances. It is something we cannot control and makes you feel like a freak when it is not understood.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by nicole at 6:59 am, Thu 14th Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (nicole)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Thu, 14 Feb 2013 06:59:13 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment14887</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #28]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment15126</link><description><![CDATA[I find it very discouraging to go to a store to try to find gluten-free foods in one place (it is a form of discrimination to have them scattered all over the store if, indeed, they have any). They put all of the ethnic foods in their own separate areas and all together.  Many restaurants "claim" to follow your instructions when after eating the so called "safe" food only to be sick after that!  It is very discouraging!!!  As for schools, they do not allow peanuts because of the allergic reaction to some of the children - don't Celiac patients fit into the same category?<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Nancy at 10:33 am, Sat 23rd Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Nancy)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Sat, 23 Feb 2013 10:33:28 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment15126</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #29]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment15127</link><description><![CDATA[Gluten-free food options should be available at all restaurants and at all grocery stores. It is becoming more prevalent than ever and it is difficult for school children as well as adults! <br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Nancy at 10:41 am, Sat 23rd Feb 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Nancy)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Sat, 23 Feb 2013 10:41:49 PST]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment15127</guid></item><item><title><![CDATA[Comment #30]]></title><link>http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment15855</link><description><![CDATA[My main concern is the title of your article. Celiac disease is very specifically NOT an allergy. It is an auto immune disease. And the DoJ seems excessive to bring them in, but what are they there for? In the end, when you want your justice and no one will help, who is the department working FOR us to make sure we get taken care of? DoJ... So yes, in the end it IS their business.<br/><br/>
(Comment posted by Caitlin at 3:46 am, Tue 16th Apr 2013)]]></description><author>no@spam.com (Caitlin)</author><pubDate><![CDATA[Tue, 16 Apr 2013 03:46:34 PDT]]></pubDate><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.celiac.com/articles/23176/1/Is-a-Food-Allergy-a-Legitimate-Disability/Page1.html#Comment15855</guid></item></channel></rss>