"special" Circumstances

[clbevilacqua]

While I wouldn't generally do something like this for myself (gluten-free for 4 yrs), I will stand up for each and every right that my DD (gluten-free for 1-1/2 yrs) has:

Our local theater, which has few if any gluten-free options-even in the candy section, refused to allow my DD to bring in her gluten-free food that she brought with her, stating that it was "policy" and if they allowed her to do it, then everyone would want to. We DO buy drinks there (at an enormous profit to them) but there is really nothing she can eat. Well, after arguing with the manager, she finally said she would allow "this time only". I later found out that the American Disabilities Act actually allows celiacs (and others with diagnosed eating disorders) the RIGHT to bring our own food into any establishment that does not offer us equal access, regardless of their company policies. Since that time I have taken food into other countries that would not normally have allowed such transport and have taken it on planes, even during these past few months because it has been a medical neccessity and TSA can't change or alter the Disablities Act-just give yourself enough time to CALMLY present your case and have everything individually inspected INCLUDING your checked luggage. Don't be antagonistic, but do be firm. Realizing that my DD and I were included in the ADA changed my outlook; this is NOT my choice, this is NOT something I "did" to myself, this is not my fault-consequently-much less frustration BUT I did have to become well prepared to fight for our rights.

While I never thought of the ADA as being for me, as I am an otherwise healthy (albeit overweight) person, I have discovered that it is not just for the obviously disabled-it is a long, wordy law that was intended to make "the pursuit of happiness" do-able for all Americans, regardless of the "size" or "obviousness" of their handicap/disability and eating disorders, allergies or whatever you want to call them are listed in the ADA.

[Ursa Major]

I always bring my own food, be it air-plane or theater. This far nobody has protested, but if anybody ever does, I'll give them such a fabulous lecture on celiac disease and other intolerances (nice and calm, even if it will be hard), that they'll wish they had never asked.

[Random Guy]

interesting...

a few weeks back, I had to throw out my tuna packets.

i was like "you've got to be kidding me - tuna is a solid!"

to which they responded "but it's packed in water. toss it or check your luggage"

this was my back-up meal in case nothing else offered at someone's home was good for me - for the next 5 meals.

"toss it" i disgustedly replied

i can't imagine they would've been talked into anything. I don't have documented proof of having celiac. I didnt' have anything that explained celiac.

but i'm flying again soon

this is something to look into .

thanks

-rg

[eKatherine]

Since that time I have taken food into other countries that would not normally have allowed such transport and have taken it on planes, even during these past few months because it has been a medical neccessity and TSA can't change or alter the Disablities Act-just give yourself enough time to CALMLY present your case and have everything individually inspected INCLUDING your checked luggage.

Keep in mind that the ADA has zero effect on the actions of anyone outside the borders of the USA and plan accordingly.

[clbevilacqua]

That's true that the ADA doesn't apply in other countries-but in looking into ADA issues, I talked with my doctor and he told me I could take food into other countries as medical supplies, which is legally recognized by them. It does require some foreplanning, but it certainly beats trying to read a foreign ingredient list.

[lpellegr]

I carry a note from my doctor in my wallet - it's written on a prescription blank and says that this patient requires a special diet. I haven't had to use it yet, but I got it with the ADA in mind - I figured somewhere I would run into some yahoo in a ball park or other place who wouldn't want me to take in my fanny pack of gluten-free snacks and only by waving this official-looking note and invoking the ADA would I manage to change his mind. That's the theory, anyway. There was also a good thread here a while back about how to smuggle food - cargo pants, inner pockets of jackets - my favorite was to tuck it into the bottom of a box of tampons because nobody wants to inspect that!

[crittermom]

I am so glad I found this thread! I am traveling with my 4 year old daughter, diagnosed celiac 1 week ago and my son who is allergic to dairy and soy with reflux on friday. We are visiting my husband before he leaves for Kuwait. Food would never keep us away from this visit, but jeez, it has been a real anxiety for me the last few days. I am going to call the dr and get a note!

[moving on]

I've just returned from a trip and carried 3 - 3 ounce cans of tuna or chicken. I had them in my carry on luggage and was allowed to keep them. I was told that since they contained water they should be put in the 1 quart ziplock bag along with other items. The cans should not be larger than the 3 oz size and all liquids and gels should fit in one ziploc bag that should be the 1 quart size and no larger.

[Guest cassidy]

This has been an issue for me several times. I went to a football game a few weeks ago and I called the disabilities number ahead of time trying to get an ok for me bringing some food in. I'm pregnant so there is no way I could go 4 hours without food. I also have a doctors note and they said that didn't matter. They said I couldn't bring anything in. The cop checking bags was busy with someone else when I walked in so I quickly walked by and my bag wasn't checked.

There may be a law protecting us but no one I have dealt with seems to be respectful of it. I almost want to talk to a lawyer and have the number with me so the next time I'm denied I can really threaten to call up a lawyer. It isn't like I'm ever trying to bring in a whole picnic basket for me and all my friends - I usually just bring in a boost shake and some fruit.

[BrisQuil]

Do beware though, speaking as someone from a country with some of the tightest quarantine laws in the world, that you will not be permitted to bring any products containing fresh food (fruit, vegetables, seeds etc), meat or dairy products and eggs into Australia or New Zealand. Processed foods etc are fine, but you will be throwing them all out in Customs. It would be such a pity to carry them all that way to have to throw them out. Check out websites before you go. Unfortunately our special circumstances aren't enough to jeopardise an entire countries livestock and produce!

[debmidge]

Question to world travelers then: would it then be safe to presume that when US person is traveling to countries whose official language is English, even if you had to ditch your supplies it wouldn't be so difficult to buy new ones when there? Especially when going to countries who acknowledge celiac disease more than ours does?

[BrisQuil]

I can only speak for Australia (New Zealand is a little harder, but still OK) and UK and Argentina (and that is Spanish, but I still did it!) but it will be easy for you to find your way around a gluten-free diet here. In the medical community it was just discussed at an international conference how low the awareness of coeliac disease is in North America and certainly medical awareness and general community and restaurant awareness is much higher here (the products in the supermarkets might not be as good, but otherwise we are pretty good) than US or Canada.

Spare a thought for Finland - the incidence is 1 in 50 there. Maybe the rumours of gluten-free McDonald's burgers are true. That's more common than diabetes!

[lovegrov]

I woud think, although I'm no ADA expert, that if the theater offers anything that's gluten-free, the ADA wouldn't apply. I might be wrong, but I don't think the ADA is supposed to guarantee that you have the same selection as everybody else, especially not when we're talking snack or junk food.

Of course I don't know your local theater, but at all of our theaters -- chain and privately owned -- I can have the soft drinks, popcorn, and at least half if not more of the candy (Reese's, Junior Mints, Mike and Ike, Sweet Tarts, and Tootsie Rolls seem to be in most theaters and all are gluten-free). I've yet to find a popcorn that isn't gluten-free.

Having said that, I do sometimes take my own candy in but all I do is put it in my pocket. Do they actually search your pockets or pocketbook going in?

richard

[Phyllis28]

Theater:

I bring my own food to the theater or eat before I go. I put it into my purse so there are no questions. I apply this same process when I go to other places that have a "policy" against bringing in your own food. It works as long as no one in security is hand checking bags. The food is usually not noticed if it is only going through x-ray machine.

Travel:

I used to carry all the food I wanted to bring from home on the airplane. With the new restictions I carry on what I need for the trip plus a little extra. If it is something that might be questioned, like premade pizza (dinner at the end of the trip), I freeze it. I check the rest and hope the airline does not loose my bags.

I try to buy the bulk of my food at my destination.

[tarnalberry]

I woud think, although I'm no ADA expert, that if the theater offers anything that's gluten-free, the ADA wouldn't apply. I might be wrong, but I don't think the ADA is supposed to guarantee that you have the same selection as everybody else, especially not when we're talking snack or junk food.

Of course I don't know your local theater, but at all of our theaters -- chain and privately owned -- I can have the soft drinks, popcorn, and at least half if not more of the candy (Reese's, Junior Mints, Mike and Ike, Sweet Tarts, and Tootsie Rolls seem to be in most theaters and all are gluten-free). I've yet to find a popcorn that isn't gluten-free.

Having said that, I do sometimes take my own candy in but all I do is put it in my pocket. Do they actually search your pockets or pocketbook going in?

richard

I would think the same, and my blood sugar dips just thinking about it. Thank goodness Cliff Nectar bars and Bumble Bars are small. Go ahead, just try to search there Mr. Ticket Taker!

[Jestgar]

I would think the same, and my blood sugar dips just thinking about it. Thank goodness Cliff Nectar bars and Bumble Bars are small. Go ahead, just try to search there Mr. Ticket Taker!

:lol:

Having visions of stuffing my bra with gluten-free goodies