Jump to content
  • You have found your celiac tribe! Join us and ask questions in our forum, share your story, and connect with others.


  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A1):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A1-M):

Looking For A Family In The Houston Metro Area


hanna-d

Recommended Posts

hanna-d Newbie

Hello! I am a part of a non-profit organization called International Cultural Exchange Services. We work with local families here in the Houston Metro area (anywhere from Willis-Galveston) who want to host an international exchange student in there home.

 

I currently have a 17 year oldf boy from Sweden and he has Celiac disease. It is important for me to find a family for him that is aware of what the celiac disease is about and can provide support for him while he is here. 

 

I have included Benjamin's letter to this post, he seems like a really fun kid! If there is any interest being part of our program, please contact me at hdoyle@icesusa.org and I can tell you more. Thank you!

 

Dear Host Family

I’m 16 years old, and turn 17 in May. I attend Swedish high school and I am studying natural sience, which means I am studying a lot of maths physics, biology and such. Ever since I was very young I have aspired to become a doctor. And about three years ago I started to focus a lot on school and achieving my goal. I study an average of about 3 hours a day on top of my fulltime school attendance. This makes the freetime I have mean a lot to me. I spend my time off from school working out or seeing friends, sometimes both at the same time! I have been weight training for a long time with the goal of staying healthy and fit. Working out is my passion and I would be overjoyed if that would be an interest that you share with me! Aside from gymming, I also run and swim regularly.

 

When I am not working out I love to spend time with my friends. I have a rich social life and I love going out meeting them and such in the evenings. I am very open as a person and I share almost everything with my friends and family. I am very outgoing and I love talking to new people. I envision myself making a lot of new friends in America!

 

I am already excited to meet you!

Benjamin

 


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



kareng Grand Master

Maybe check the local Celiac or Gluten Intolerance group?  Maybe check with the Children's hospital Celiac support group?

Brit1612 Apprentice

I have always wondered how these students are financed.  I always thought it would be great to host, but we couldn't afford to feed / entertain a teenager.  Do they receive money from their families or do you have to pay for all their needs?  Thanks.

hanna-d Newbie

I have always wondered how these students are financed.  I always thought it would be great to host, but we couldn't afford to feed / entertain a teenager.  Do they receive money from their families or do you have to pay for all their needs?  Thanks.

Hi Brit,

 

The students will have their own health insurance and spending money. Most students have bugeted about $200 per month for spending money (movies, eating out, school lunches etc.) The family is asked to provide a room and meals (except for school lunches and snacks), This is the reason why I am trying hard to find a family that already has a family member with celiac so they are already educated about what the student can/cannot eat.

 

I hope this helps!!

cyclinglady Grand Master

I can not help you since I do not live in Texas, but we have hosted students from Europe and Japan many times. It is such a rewarding experience, plus we have made life-long friends!

LauraTX Rising Star

If I weren't in a sickly phase right now this would be a really neat thing to do.  Especially as a childless couple.  There are a couple of support groups down there:

 

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

Open Original Shared Link

across Contributor

Sent you a pm.


Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):
Celiac.com Sponsor (A8):



Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):



kareng Grand Master

Sent you a pm.

 

 

I'm not sure if people with only 2 posts can get pms.  You might want to just email her.  She gave the address in the post. 

across Contributor

I'm not sure if people with only 2 posts can get pms.  You might want to just email her.  She gave the address in the post. 

 

Thanks, Karen. Will do.

  • 1 year later...
hanna-d Newbie

Hello again!! I am now looking for TWO families in the state of TX who know about the celiac disease. We have two students from Europe and we have to find a host family for each student, the host family has to know what a celiac disease is about and be willing to host a student and give them support and guidance for 10 months. Thank you guys!! For more info, you can email me at hdoyle@icesusa.org

kareng Grand Master
1 hour ago, hanna_d said:

Hello again!! I am now looking for TWO families in the state of TX who know about the celiac disease. We have two students from Europe and we have to find a host family for each student, the host family has to know what a celiac disease is about and be willing to host a student and give them support and guidance for 10 months. Thank you guys!! For more info, you can email me at hdoyle@icesusa.org

Maybe check if they have any local gluten free/ Celiac Facebook groups?  Someone just posted on ours for this same thing and got some responses.

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Celiac.com:
    Join eNewsletter
    Donate

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):
    Celiac.com Sponsor (A17):





    Celiac.com Sponsors (A17-M):




  • Recent Activity

    1. - glucel replied to glucel's topic in Super Sensitive People
      16

      iron digestibility

    2. - Scott Adams commented on Scott Adams's article in Latest Research
      3

      New Research Reveals How Antibody Genes May Shape the Immune Response in Celiac Disease

    3. - knitty kitty replied to Bogger's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      6

      Osteoporosis: Does the body start rebuilding bones after starting a gluten-free diet?

    4. - knitty kitty replied to Aileen Cregan's topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      5

      Coeliac And Cardio Vascular Disease

  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):
  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      134,003
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      10,442

    michelinagiggles
    Newest Member
    michelinagiggles
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):
  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.6k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):
  • Who's Online (See full list)

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • glucel
      Thanks to everybody for your help. I reread the dr's notes from the biopsy procedure and it seems I had worse than atrofied villi. It was termed flattened mucosa. So while iron ferratin levels are normal my bet is, as kitty alluded to, iron not getting into cells. I have dr appointment next mo but don't hold out a lot of hope, There is strong correlation of low red blood cells and insomnia so at least I finally solved that one after few yrs of being mislead. I intend to take stop taking 100 mg b1 at noon time and start 150 mg benfotiamin. I may or may not add the the 100 mg b1evening meal. BTW, last night had 1/3 lb beef. potato then 2 bowls cereal and an apple later in the eve. I generally do my areobics before supper so maybe that contributes to the hunger.  
    • knitty kitty
      I have osteoporosis and have crushed three vertebrae.  I supplement with Lysine, Tryptophan, threonine, calcium, Boron, Vitamins D, A, and K, and the B vitamins (folate, B12, and Thiamine B1 especially for bone health).   I tried Fosomax, but it tore up my insides.  I prefer the supplements.  I feel better and my bones feel stronger.   References: A composite protein enriched with threonine, lysine, and tryptophan improves osteoporosis by modulating the composition and metabolism of the gut microbiota https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41915427/
    • knitty kitty
      @Aileen Cregan, I was put on high blood pressure medication, too. But I was able to correct my high blood pressure by supplementing with Thiamine Vitamin B 1.  I am no longer on high blood pressure medication.  I feel much better without the medication. I continue to supplement Thiamine in the form Benfotiamine.   The particular high blood pressure medication I took was Norvasc (amlodipine), which causes thiamine deficiency by blocking thiamine transporters so that thiamine cannot enter cells.  Benfotiamine can get into cells by merging with the cell membrane, thus bypassing nonfunctional thiamine transporters.   Indapamide also blocks thiamine transporters! The use of this type of medications that block thiamine precipitated Wernickes Encephalopathy.  My doctors did not recognize the connection to Thiamine deficiency.  I nearly died.   Talk to your doctor and dietician about supplementing with Benfotiamine, a fat soluble form of thiamine that bypasses thiamine transporters.  Ask for an Erythrocyte Transketolace Activity Assay to check your thiamine levels asap.  Routine blood tests for thiamine are not an accurate measure of  thiamine in the body.   Absorption of essential vitamins like Thiamine is altered in Celiac Disease due to damaged villi, inflammation and dysbiosis.  The Gluten Free diet can be lacking in vitamins and minerals.  Discuss supplementing with all the eight B vitamins,  the four fat soluble vitamins and necessary minerals. Please keep us posted on your progress! References: Drug-nutrient interactions: discovering prescription drug inhibitors of the thiamine transporter ThTR-2 (SLC19A3) https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31764942/ The Pivotal Role of Thiamine Supplementation in Counteracting Cardiometabolic Dysfunctions Associated with Thiamine Deficiency https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11988323/
    • knitty kitty
      Hi, @Sue7171, I thought you might be interested in this article about Lyme disease and the discussion after the article.   I found this article enlightening.  The finding that not only can alpha gal be problematic, but advantageous infection with Staph aureus can be problematic.   The Acari Hypothesis, VII: accounting for the comorbidity of allergy with other contemporary medical conditions, especially metabolic syndrome https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11983536/  
    • gregoryC
×
×
  • Create New...