Elizabeth Haselbeck Said She Has Celiac!

[Rikki Tikki]

I think why we don't get a lot of air time on anything and this included when it was Celiac awareness week here is because we are not "big name" yet. Meaning if it was cancer, heart attacks or three-headed whatevers then we would get a great deal of exposure. I think that would render us more notice is making the fact that it can unfortunately cause other very serious illnesses. A little exposure is better than none.

I agree, at least she spoke about t. My other thought was that many people may have symptoms, they will go to the doctor and then have answers to what is wrong. More people diagnosed equals more food and hopefully cheaper prices. I am just glad they talked about it, and I think they will probably mention it again.

[darlindeb25]

No Larry, Canadian Karen was directing her remark at me. I agree with you Larry, it was very poorly done and totally missed the mark. Yes, Celiac Disease was mentioned, yet a person out there suffering with it will get nothing from what little was said to even think it may be what is wrong with them. It was just an advertisement for beer, which was also done in very poor taste. Whomever said that the women do not shut up long enough to know what they are talking about is very correct and Rosie was yelling above everyone. Not enough was said about Celiac to even know what was being talked about and come on: ~ rosie asks how do you know you've got it and elizabeth says "because it's not pretty (down there)", not mentioning blood tests and biopsies. What kind of info is that--what is a person to take from that? We need info out there about Celiac Disease, but it needs to be good, informative info, not stuff like that.

[Mango04]

The media misrepresents nearly all things it deals with, at least to some extent. There's no reason why celiac disease would be an exception.

Getting celiac mentioned on a tv show is great for exposure, but I don't think a tv show like this will ever be the ideal messenger of absolutely accurate and informative facts. That's (unfortunately) just not its job. The people who decide what gets aired are more concerned with dollar signs and ratings (hence the beer advertisement) than they are with anything else.

I wish it worked differently, and maybe they'll lash back at us with a very compreshensive segment on the issue another time. For now, I think we should focus our energies on trying to find other ways of getting the word out, since every time a tv show does this, a lot of people end up quite disappointed (example: House ). We can think outside the box in terms of new ways to publicize this disease, but we can't change the business of television.

[2kids4me]

From what I read about Elizabeth, she is conservative and has no medical degree, Considering the scope of celiac and tests involved (be it blood tests, gentic test or biopsy)and the vast array of symptoms that accompany the disease - she could only speak for 3 minutes cause that was probably the time alloted. If you expect a comprehensive segment - then they will have a doctor and/or dietician to discuss this complex issue and give more time.

Elisabeth possibly felt uncomfortable discussing her symptoms becasue she knows that many people experience different symptoms that she didnt want people to think that was all there was to it. She almost looked "not ready" and Rosie kinda threw it at her, maybe it was supposed to come later in the show?? Who knows.

She did mention it was autoimmune, that it damages the gut, that she had testing and she is watching her daughter and that she has to avoid wheat, rye, barley and oats. Her co-hosts seemed pretty clueless about celiac as they didnt offer anything - perhaps if they had researched it a bit themselves, they could have helped. I couldnt help but notice that Rosie kept jumping in just when Elizabeth was on a roll- I think that she was more concerned about rushing Elizabeth through it so she could swig some beer.

All in all, it is a talk show with 4 women who sit around and discuss issues, so discussing a medical condition is beyond their scope of expertise.

Just my thoughts

Sandy

[Rikki Tikki]

Guess all the people can't be happy all of the time, I think it goes like that. As I stated I am just glad it was mentioned at all, anything helps. I think everyone must remember this is a talk show, they briefly touch on many subjects, if you want a more in depth program I think you need to look towards hour long shows, a program that will spend a lot of time on one subject. We have been trying to get Elisabeth to speak up about it for a couple of years and then many are not happy with the way it is done. I for one am just glad she spoke up and said something that may help many people that are suffering. Cut her some slack, I don't know that I would get on national television and talk about my bowels, or gas, or the multitude of other symptoms, for sure I would not have at her age.

[tarnalberry]

One thing it will absolutely help with: "brand recognition".

Hopefully a few less people will look at their loved ones and say "Celiac Disease? I've never heard of it. You must be making that up. Now eat that roll."

[Lisa]

Two years ago, I had never heard of Celiac Disease. I am now the recipient of this odd disease. I am in the on going process of healing my self. It is not an easy one to tackle and I still struggle.

To hear it in the main stream media, we should all jump for joy.

In a short two years, Heidi Collins of CNN has offered to be the voice for the Celiac Sprue Association, Elizabeth Hasselbeck has identified her illness as Celiac Disease.

What wonderful advances in a few short years.

Lets not pick this apart too much and relish in the words... "Celiac", in the media. Any media is a good thing at this point. Let's be grateful.

[Canadian Karen]

No Larry, Canadian Karen was directing her remark at me. I agree with you Larry, it was very poorly done and totally missed the mark. Yes, Celiac Disease was mentioned, yet a person out there suffering with it will get nothing from what little was said to even think it may be what is wrong with them. It was just an advertisement for beer, which was also done in very poor taste. Whomever said that the women do not shut up long enough to know what they are talking about is very correct and Rosie was yelling above everyone. Not enough was said about Celiac to even know what was being talked about and come on: ~ rosie asks how do you know you've got it and elizabeth says "because it's not pretty (down there)", not mentioning blood tests and biopsies. What kind of info is that--what is a person to take from that? We need info out there about Celiac Disease, but it needs to be good, informative info, not stuff like that.

If I was directing it at you, I would have quoted you. My post referred to a collective "you", as in all the people who are sounding like the nagging, hard to please housewives who no matter what a person does, it is never good enough.....

I gotta tell you all, I put myself in her shoes for a minute. Perhaps she is a member on this forum (or another celiac forum, for that matter.....) and she has read how we have been begging and hoping and praying to get the word "Celiac" out there. She finally decides to bite the bullet and openly discuss it, even though it would open her up wide to talk about her bowel movements in all their lovely aromatic glory, but hey, she gets the nerve to do it anyway........ Lo and behold, she comes on here thinking she has done something wonderful and everyone has hoped for for so long, only to read nothing about b%$@#ing and complaining about how it was done and it wasn't long enough, or good enough, or detailed enough, or medically accurate enough.........

I for one would be so pissed I would just say screw those ungrateful little turds, and let that be the end of it, subject dropped........

Just my 2 cents (Cdn.), of course......

[psawyer]

Karen, I didn't see the segment, but I think you have the situation pegged. The only thing worse than bad publicity is no publicity. Anything about celiac in the media raises awareness, and may clue in some of the millions of undiagnosed celiacs out there. Hindsight is perfect, and we can all see things she coulda/shoulda done. She spoke about celiac on TV. Bravo. So she promoted a particular gluten-free product. So what. And, so what if it was beer.

At the risk of being accused of supporting another media personality, whose initials might be MS, "This is a good thing."

[Lisa]

Cheers to you Karen..emotionally, but well said.

Small advances are advances, but this was a BIG One. Relish in the glory. We alone can not bring celiac to this national level or recognition.

We need to be grateful, not dissect it.

[darlindeb25]

Well, I see it differently and that is ok too. To begin with, hard to please housewives who no matter what a person does, it is never good enough..... I am not a housewife, I work full time in the medical field--we are closed on Friday's and Sundays. I just happened to be home on the one day they chose.

I have worked hard in the over 5 yrs I have been gluten-free to enlighten people to celiac disease. I have always willingly given my email address, even my phone number to people who need help. I have a friend in Florida who said without the personal help I gave him when he first found out he had celiac's, he doesn't know what he would have done. He calls me his "celiac angel"! I am not ashamed to tell people what my symptoms were just so they know they are not alone. I have my story saved on my computer and I have many, many times sent it to newbies. Any time someone needs help, I am there for them.

In my opinion, the only reason I knew what Elizabeth was talking about is because I already know what celiac's is. If I didn't know, I would have no idea what she was saying and you could not hear her over Rosie's big mouth. Saying a beer is gluten free means nothing to the general public and believe it or not, the biggest majority of celiac's could care less about beer. If you say gluten free, the response usually is, "Do you mean glucose?"

Have you ever heard the term, "2 steps forward, 3 back"? Yes, we need celiac disease to explode in the media, yet it needs to be done correctly and in good taste. This segment was about gluten-free beer, not getting good information to the public.

And yes, if I had national exposure like Elizabeth does, I would make sure the information I gave out was very clear and informative, I also would have posted the GIG address and 800# for more information. It was done poorly and that is not just my opinion.

Cutting someone slack goes both ways!

[Canadian Karen]

I am not a housewife, I work full time in the medical field--we are closed on Friday's and Sundays. I just happened to be home on the one day they chose.

[darlindeb25]

You are right, about the commercials, anyways. With The View, it was the presentation. It was horribly done and I do not feel it was beneficial to anyone--and truthfully, just as you, I do not understand why you can't see that.

It's one of those, let's just agree to disagree--kk.

[Canadian Karen]

It's one of those, let's just agree to disagree--kk.

Agreed.

[Rikki Tikki]

I guess I just look at it as if one person hears about the diagnosis celiac as it realtes to being diagnosed with IBS or some other disorder and they google celiac it just may help them. As far as the beer, so what, for people that like beer I imagine they are quite pleased to find there is a gluten-free beer. I personally don't drink it but my brother does and he is very happy about it.

I am just happy that she said the work celiac, which is what we have asked her many times to do.

[Rusla]

The fact that Celiac disease was mentioned in itself may help people. People who are having problems may think "hmmm, maybe I should look into this." that alone could be a help. A few minute blurb and someone saying "it isn't pretty down there." is not the best by far. Because people may think it is only there that is not pretty. However, getting it out there so that people hear the name and get them thinking is good.

Unfortunately unil Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp or some other big name star has it or comes out with it we will take last place at the fair. This is because politicians, stars, and other diseases that are talked about all the time are higher in the pecking order than us. It is a small step but one we should be glad has been taken.

[Rikki Tikki]

The fact that Celiac disease was mentioned in itself may help people. People who are having problems may think "hmmm, maybe I should look into this." that alone could be a help. A few minute blurb and someone saying "it isn't pretty down there." is not the best by far. Because people may think it is only there that is not pretty. However, getting it out there so that people hear the name and get them thinking is good.

Unfortunately unil Brad Pitt, Johnny Depp or some other big name star has it or comes out with it we will take last place at the fair. This is because politicians, stars, and other diseases that are talked about all the time are higher in the pecking order than us. It is a small step but one we should be glad has been taken.

I agree any publicity is good for all of us. I think we all have to remember that she is young, talking about your bowels is not fun and was probably difficult for her, as I have said it would have been impossible for me at her age. If it helps just one person then I think that is great.

I read that in New York you can actually go in a pizza place and order a gluten free pizza, man I can't believe that, how wonderful it must be! Sometimes that is my biggest craving! Anyone know if that is true? I also heard they have bakery's that have gluten-free baked goods!

I am off to make a gluten-free apple pie!

[larry mac]

..... Perhaps she is a member on this forum ..... only to read ... b%$@#ing and complaining .........

(quote edited for brevity-lm)

CK,

OMG, I hope she didn't read what I said. I feel really bad now. Now I'm better. Yes, you are correct in that if it was one of us, and we tried and then read some of the complaining, we'd be pretty unhappy. Actually, most of the problem was because of rosie, barbs, joey, and the rushed, brief nature of the segment. Elizabeth would have most likely done a much better job if the rest had kept their big mouths shut and given her the opportunity.

Oh, and the beer, although sloppily done, may give some extra publicity and validity to the Celiac cause. Hey, that's big bud jumping on the bandwagon!

That elizabeth is one smart, talented, and beautiful woman (in case she's reading)!

best regards, lm

ps, love your "2 cents (Cdn.)".

[Rikki Tikki]

(quote edited for brevity-lm)

CK,

OMG, I hope she didn't read what I said. I feel really bad now. Now I'm better. Yes, you are correct in that if it was one of us, and we tried and then read some of the complaining, we'd be pretty unhappy. Actually, most of the problem was because of rosie, barbs, joey, and the rushed, brief nature of the segment. Elizabeth would have most likely done a much better job if the rest had kept their big mouths shut and given her the opportunity.

Oh, and the beer, although sloppily done, may give some extra publicity and validity to the Celiac cause. Hey, that's big bud jumping on the bandwagon!

That elizabeth is one smart, talented, and beautiful woman (in case she's reading)!

best regards, lm

ps, love your "2 cents (Cdn.)".

My take on it was that Elisabeth was a bit nervous talking about it and Rosie actually helped her through it. I may not agree with Elisabeth's political views but I give her a lot of credit for coming out of the closet so to speak. As far as Barbara, at least she asked and even though she couldn't say the word correctly, that was just like so much of the public that has not heard of it, can't say it. I just say yay! However it happened I am just glad that it did.

But we all have the right to disagree and express our own views, pun is intended! nobody is right or wrong, it just is.

[tarnalberry]

I give her a lot of credit for coming out of the closet so to speak.

I think this is the crux of the matter. We've been forced - through trying to treat this condition and really get the best treatment possible and reach out to others - to come to grips with talking about this stuff. We have a biased sampling of "talkability" amongst even celiacs for this topic. This board doesn't include the 99.3+%* percent of US celiacs, and probably 80% of our board members are fairly silent. Most people don't find this an acceptable topic.

Culturally speaking, by stifling talk about these things, and labeling them 'embarassing', or 'dirty', we make it harder** for people to know something is wrong ("I thought symptom X was normal"), we make it harder for them to talk to their doctor ("I couldn't bring it up"), we make it harder for them to get diagnosed ("I wouldn't suspect that diagnosis, Celiac is rare, I don't see it in my practice"), we make it hard for them to tell others ("I won't feel well if I eat that" is *far* from complete), and we make it hard for them to seek help ("I'm still having trouble after being gluten free. You know, there. Is that normal?" is not enough information to help them on, even if they had the courage to come forward with that statement).

I know we all want to encourage ever celebrity to just speak out, but until the culture that makes it very difficult to speak out changes, many will be reticent to do so, and I don't particularly blame them. (Ha! I wonder if an uneducated PR manager makes it worse. Maybe *those* are the people we should be mailing.) Baby steps. This is one, of many we've had this year. Some smaller than others, but they're all good.

(Truth be told, I think in the public eye, this was particularly good - because it had beer. How many people have we heard tell us - or came on here saying - "I think going without beer would be impossible, that might be my undoing." The show just visually displayed, in a way no one will forget, that celiacs can have beer with everyone else.)

* 16,600 members, 2.5million celiacs in the US = 0.7% of US celiacs. but many of our board members are not from the us, so shouldn't be included in the true calculation for the US.

** Same thing with sex/sexuality. Same thing with depression and other mental health issues.

[Canadian Karen]

Very good points.

This is exactly why I think she should be applauded for her bravery, not critisized......

[happygirl]

rikki tikki:

yes it is true about NYC. There are a few places there that cater to the gluten-free diet, including Risotteria (try googling it!). Also, there is a great place out in Arizona, I believe, called Picazzo's. I think someone also posted recently about a place in Kansas City where you can have gluten free pizza delivered.

So yes, there is hope for the rest of us

Laura

[Rikki Tikki]

Thanks Laura:

Now if I ever get to NYC! I will eat until I burst!

[happygirl]

I think Eric and I are going to take a day trip to NYC sometime this spring, just so I can eat there!

[Rachel--24]

Personally,

I agree with those who are pleased that Celiac was mentioned...that Elisabeth spoke about her disease....and that it was done on national TV.

I thought it was great that they drank gluten-free beer (wish I could).

Of course it COULD have been better...but we can say that about any segment done on Celiac....its never good enough.

I think she did a fine job.

Oh....and I also like Rosie.