Jump to content

  • Welcome to Celiac.com!

    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):

  • Get Celiac.com Updates:
    Support Our Content
    eNewsletter
    Donate

Stories That Make You Smile

Lissa

By Lissa
in Coping with Celiac Disease

Recommended Posts

Lissa Apprentice
Lissa
Posted

I'm an eleven grade student, and a few weeks ago, my teacher nearly made me cry. You see, at the beginning of the year, my religion teacher told us that she hates students that miss a lot of school. Last year, I missed close to 40 days of school due to gluten reactions, and because I'd only discovered my gluten issues at the end of May, I wasn't sure how often I would be glutened accidently, and therefore, how much I'd be absent this year. I was also determined not to let my gluten issues rule my life, and decided not to inform my teachers about my gluten intolerance. But since my religion teacher hates people who miss a ton of school, I felt like I had to explain about my gluten intolerance, and how it might affect my attendence. She was very sweet and understanding about it, and I felt better after informing her.

So it was a Friday when she said that she had a treat for the class, that she had cookies for everyone, and we could eat them while we watched a movie today. I was a bit disappointed, but hey, it's life, so I remained seated while my classmates got their cookies. Then, my teacher called me to come up to the front, and she pulled out a brand new bag of Mi-Del Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies. She searched specifically for something that I could have. I hugged right then and there, and thanked her. The entire class learned about gluten intolerance and they all tried a gluten-free cookie. It was a pretty awesome experience, and made me feel on top of the world. Today, it was cookie day again. I couldn't have cared less, as I still couldn't believe that she had gone through all that trouble the first time, but yet again, my teacher called me up. She handed me the leftover gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies, and a second bag of Mi-Del Gluten Free Ginger Snaps. I couldn't believe it. I thanked her profusely and ate my cookies :).

Sometimes an experience like that makes up for all the people who are rude, and uncaring.

Oh, and the other day, my family and I ate out at Kelsey's. The minute gluten - free left my mouth, the waitress left and returned with the manager, who talked me through the entire menu, explaining what I could have, and what I couldn't. He was incredibly nice and knew about the disease - he said that his brother has Celiac, and he understands what it's like to be glutened. They made my dinner from various items and he supervised all of it. It was wonderful!

Those are my stories....let's hear some others. We can complain about how insenstive people can be, so let's counteract those bad feelings and spread some stories that make you smile!

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


mamaw Community Regular
mamaw
Posted

Hi Lissa

What a wonderful experience & a great happy story. If only there were more sincere , understanding humans like your teacher.. And it was so nice of you to share your cookies with your classmates & a great learning lesson for all.

Thanks for sharing.

mamaw

momandgirls Enthusiast
momandgirls
Posted

Ok...I have one...

Smugglers Notch, near Stowe, VT, is a year round resort that my family's been going to for about 35 years. Anyway, last summer, I was taking my girls to camp and ran into a man who I knew was fairly high up in management at Smugglers. Anyway, I also knew he was very nice so I struck up a conversation with him and told him about food allergies/celiac and he was very receptive and extremely interested. Anyway, I told him how I had forgotten to bring up some gluten-free pasta on that trip and how I had to go to about four stores in about two hours before I found any. They have a small convenience store in Smugglers and I mentioned to him how great it would be to have them carry some gluten-free items and how it would be great to have the restaurants within the resort be accommodating to a gluten-free diner. Like I said, he was very receptive. The very next day, he set up a meeting with me and the chefs in the restaurants and the manager of the conveniece store. Now, a couple months later, the store is carrying gluten-free items and it's possible to get a delicious gluten free meal in the restaurants! So, anyone looking for a great family resort that is very celiac friendly, Smugglers is waiting for you!

miles2go Contributor
miles2go
Posted

Hi Lissa,

That's a great story. My boss is the second (third?) cousin of the gubner of the state of Maine, a vegetarian and always very thoughtful about my diet when it comes to meetings and holiday celebrations. She even gave me a recipe for peanut butter cookies that were gluten-free that she had brought for an occasion. She has missed the mark once or twice, but keeps on trying, you can't get any better than that!

Recently I was at a restaurant and the chef actually came out to talk to me about my dietary needs. I feasted upon mussels in dijon cream sauce with a side of rice and a lovely, edible orchid blossom as a garnish.

I believe that people want to help, given the information that they need to do so.

Go girl!

Margaret

buffettbride Enthusiast
buffettbride
Posted

What great stories!

Here is one about my daughter. A boy in her class (she is in 5th grade, this boy has been a bit sweet on her since Kindergarten) was having a birthday. He was planning on bringing in snacks for everyone in the class but didn't want to leave Victoria out (even though we have a yummy stash for her in the classroom). He had his mom call us and see what he could bring in that was safe for DD to eat. Sure enough, day of his birthday celebration in class, there was a Haagen Daz bar for her.

ptkds Community Regular
ptkds
Posted

I thought of one!

My grandmother used to make this wonderful banana pudding, coconut pie, and chocolate pie with the same basic recipe. A few years ago, I sat down and watched her make it and wrote down the recipe (she didn't use a set recipe). Eating these dishes was a tradition in my family, and something I will NEVER forget. There wasn't a proper family gathering without my grandma's banana pudding. My grandmother died just over a year ago after suffering from Alzheimers for a few years. Anyway, I was so dissapointed when I was diagnosed because I couldn't make my grandma's recipe anymore. Well, my brother (who is not a celiac) asked me for the recipe, and within 2 wks, he had converted it to gluten-free, and he said is was wonderful. He said he wanted to make it for the holidays for all of us "Celiacs." I just wanted to cry, I was so happy! It really touched me that my brother would do this, because he isn't normally so sweet!

Del Rookie
Del
Posted
Those are my stories....let's hear some others. We can complain about how insenstive people can be, so let's counteract those bad feelings and spread some stories that make you smile!

So glad you asked.......

I've been Gluten Free for four months.....do great as long as I eat at home but my husband and I were "required" to go to a Black Tie Dinner this past Friday night. (You can all imagine how I was dreading it) When we entered the dinner our waiter was posted at our table so I went up to them explained that I had Celiac and must eat gluten-free....asked if they could please ask the chef what they were serving that I could eat and I'd eat only that. A few minutes later they came back to me and explained they were having a Gluten Free dinner prepared just for me!!!! They did just that...I ate it and had NO problems......I am and was sooooo thankful!!!!! :rolleyes:

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

Celiac.com Sponsor (A8-M):


ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
I'm an eleven grade student, and a few weeks ago, my teacher nearly made me cry. You see, at the beginning of the year, my religion teacher told us that she hates students that miss a lot of school. Last year, I missed close to 40 days of school due to gluten reactions, and because I'd only discovered my gluten issues at the end of May, I wasn't sure how often I would be glutened accidently, and therefore, how much I'd be absent this year. I was also determined not to let my gluten issues rule my life, and decided not to inform my teachers about my gluten intolerance. But since my religion teacher hates people who miss a ton of school, I felt like I had to explain about my gluten intolerance, and how it might affect my attendence. She was very sweet and understanding about it, and I felt better after informing her.

So it was a Friday when she said that she had a treat for the class, that she had cookies for everyone, and we could eat them while we watched a movie today. I was a bit disappointed, but hey, it's life, so I remained seated while my classmates got their cookies. Then, my teacher called me to come up to the front, and she pulled out a brand new bag of Mi-Del Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies. She searched specifically for something that I could have. I hugged right then and there, and thanked her. The entire class learned about gluten intolerance and they all tried a gluten-free cookie. It was a pretty awesome experience, and made me feel on top of the world. Today, it was cookie day again. I couldn't have cared less, as I still couldn't believe that she had gone through all that trouble the first time, but yet again, my teacher called me up. She handed me the leftover gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies, and a second bag of Mi-Del Gluten Free Ginger Snaps. I couldn't believe it. I thanked her profusely and ate my cookies :).

Sometimes an experience like that makes up for all the people who are rude, and uncaring.

Oh, and the other day, my family and I ate out at Kelsey's. The minute gluten - free left my mouth, the waitress left and returned with the manager, who talked me through the entire menu, explaining what I could have, and what I couldn't. He was incredibly nice and knew about the disease - he said that his brother has Celiac, and he understands what it's like to be glutened. They made my dinner from various items and he supervised all of it. It was wonderful!

Those are my stories....let's hear some others. We can complain about how insenstive people can be, so let's counteract those bad feelings and spread some stories that make you smile!

Funny how good things can make us cry. You have a wonderful teacher who not only helped you feel less left out but also took the opportunity to educate the rest of the class. Those are the kind of teachers we need. Thank you for posting this and thanks to the others that added their good stories. I wish I had one to add to it. Things are improving for us slowly but surely as this country opens it eyes.

sfm Apprentice
sfm
Posted
I'm an eleven grade student, and a few weeks ago, my teacher nearly made me cry. You see, at the beginning of the year, my religion teacher told us that she hates students that miss a lot of school. Last year, I missed close to 40 days of school due to gluten reactions, and because I'd only discovered my gluten issues at the end of May, I wasn't sure how often I would be glutened accidently, and therefore, how much I'd be absent this year. I was also determined not to let my gluten issues rule my life, and decided not to inform my teachers about my gluten intolerance. But since my religion teacher hates people who miss a ton of school, I felt like I had to explain about my gluten intolerance, and how it might affect my attendence. She was very sweet and understanding about it, and I felt better after informing her.

So it was a Friday when she said that she had a treat for the class, that she had cookies for everyone, and we could eat them while we watched a movie today. I was a bit disappointed, but hey, it's life, so I remained seated while my classmates got their cookies. Then, my teacher called me to come up to the front, and she pulled out a brand new bag of Mi-Del Gluten Free Chocolate Chip Cookies. She searched specifically for something that I could have. I hugged right then and there, and thanked her. The entire class learned about gluten intolerance and they all tried a gluten-free cookie. It was a pretty awesome experience, and made me feel on top of the world. Today, it was cookie day again. I couldn't have cared less, as I still couldn't believe that she had gone through all that trouble the first time, but yet again, my teacher called me up. She handed me the leftover gluten-free Chocolate Chip Cookies, and a second bag of Mi-Del Gluten Free Ginger Snaps. I couldn't believe it. I thanked her profusely and ate my cookies :).

Sometimes an experience like that makes up for all the people who are rude, and uncaring.

Oh, and the other day, my family and I ate out at Kelsey's. The minute gluten - free left my mouth, the waitress left and returned with the manager, who talked me through the entire menu, explaining what I could have, and what I couldn't. He was incredibly nice and knew about the disease - he said that his brother has Celiac, and he understands what it's like to be glutened. They made my dinner from various items and he supervised all of it. It was wonderful!

Those are my stories....let's hear some others. We can complain about how insenstive people can be, so let's counteract those bad feelings and spread some stories that make you smile!

On my last birthday, two of my coworkers in my office split the cost of two bags of gluten free cake mix, and one of them baked a chocolate/vanilla cake with homemade chocolate frosting. The office manager suggested having something "regular", but the rest of my coworkers insisted that they would eat the gluten free cake. And they did. I really got kind of choked up; it was so supportive and sweet of everyone.

Also, a friend of mine just got married, and sent me a list of menu items that the caterer could make gluten free, so that they could prepare something special. I agree; people want to be supportive if they can.

Sheryll

mommyagain Explorer
mommyagain
Posted

My 6yr old daughter, after watching her daddy make regular brownies, said, "Daddy, it isn't nice of you to make stuff that mommy can't have!" And then refused to eat the brownies until I told her it was okay because I had some gluten-free cookies that I could eat. She's such a sweetie!

JNBunnie1 Community Regular
JNBunnie1
Posted

My favorite story is when I was eating at Ruby Tuesday's and I wanted to know if the artichoke dip (or whatever dip) was safe, and the poor waiter didn't know for sure, so he cut the ingredients off the box and brought it out to me at the table!

Darn210 Enthusiast
Darn210
Posted

Thought I would bump this up and add my story . . .

Traditionally, in the cul-de-sac that I live on, we have a Halloween pitch-in. It's hot dogs, chips, a little fruit and veggies and cookies and such. Everybody eats and then the dads take the kids out trick-or-treating and the moms sit in the cul-de-sac and hand out candy. About 8 families participate.

My neighbor who usually coordinates asked me "So what do you want to do for Halloween this year"? I (being a smart alec) replied "Yes, let's do it, let's have Halloween"!

But she was talking about food. I had assumed we would do the same pitch-in that we always do and I would pack a lunch for my kids to keep them safe. My neighbor has decided that we would all go gluten free for the pitch-in. I loved her reasoning. She said she didn't want to have to keep track of who touched what and used what fork where. EXACTLY!!!! So we are planning on having walking tacos. :D

Rivergirl Apprentice
Rivergirl
Posted

The day after I found out I had Celiac disease, I called a co-worker and friend and told him what I found out. He suggested we meet for a glass of wine and he'd bring some literature that would help me get up to speed. He had all kinds of great stuff - a Living Without Magazine, a guide to Gluten-free restuarants, lists of hidden ingredients that have gluten, etc. He filled my ears with great advice of what restuarants to go to, what to do at parties, where to shop, etc. I was nearly in tears - thanking him for the great info. As he left, he asked me to walk with him to his car. He opened the trunk and pulled out four grocery bags of his favorite gluten free products. WOW. I was speechless and so very appreciative. It was then I knew I was going to be ok .

JNBunnie1 Community Regular
JNBunnie1
Posted
The day after I found out I had Celiac disease, I called a co-worker and friend and told him what I found out. He suggested we meet for a glass of wine and he'd bring some literature that would help me get up to speed. He had all kinds of great stuff - a Living Without Magazine, a guide to Gluten-free restuarants, lists of hidden ingredients that have gluten, etc. He filled my ears with great advice of what restuarants to go to, what to do at parties, where to shop, etc. I was nearly in tears - thanking him for the great info. As he left, he asked me to walk with him to his car. He opened the trunk and pulled out four grocery bags of his favorite gluten free products. WOW. I was speechless and so very appreciative. It was then I knew I was going to be ok .

Holy cow, that's so awesome!

(Is this coworker maybe a lttle sweet on you? Just curious.....) :)

Archived

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

Go to topic listing

  • 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. cristiana
      - cristiana posted a topic in Related Issues & Disorders
      0

      Healthy diet leading to terrible bloating

      Hello fellow coeliacs and a Happy New Year I'd appreciate some advice. In December I gave up junk food and ate a new healthy diet, which had a lot of gluten-free oats, nuts, oranges in it, and a quite a lot of black coffee, rather than my usual lattes etc. After a week or so I felt awful bubbling and bloating in the area which I would say is the...
    2. TheDHhurts
      - TheDHhurts posted a topic in Gluten-Free Foods, Products, Shopping & Medications
      0

      Prana Organics no longer GFCO-certified

      I've been buying my seeds and nuts from Prana Organics for a number of years because the products have been GFCO-certified. I just got a new order delivered of their flax and sunflower seeds, and it turns out that they are no longer GFCO-certified. Instead, it just has a generic "Gluten Free" symbol on the package. I reached out to them to ask what...
    3. cristiana
      - cristiana replied to Dizzyma's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      2

      Newly diagnosed mam to coeliac 11 year old

      Hi @Dizzyma I note what @trents has commented about you possibly posting from the UK. Just to let you know that am a coeliac based in the UK, so if that is the case, do let me know if can help you with any questions on the NHS provision for coeliacs. If you are indeed based in the UK, and coeliac disease is confirmed, I would thoroughly recommend...
    4. trents
      - trents replied to Dizzyma's topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      2

      Newly diagnosed mam to coeliac 11 year old

      Welcome to the celic.com community @Dizzyma! I'm assuming you are in the U.K. since you speak of your daughter's celiac disease blood tests as "her bloods". Has her physician officially diagnosed her has having celiac disease on the results of her blood tests alone? Normally, if the ttg-iga blood test results are positive, a follow-up endoscopy...
    5. Dizzyma
      - Dizzyma posted a topic in Post Diagnosis, Recovery & Treatment of Celiac Disease
      2

      Newly diagnosed mam to coeliac 11 year old

      Hi all, I have so many questions and feel like google is giving me very different information. Hoping I may get some more definite answers here. ok, my daughter has been diagnosed as a coeliac as her bloods show anti TTG antibodies are over 128. We have started her on a full gluten free diet. my concerns are that she wasn’t actually physically s...
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A19):

  • Member Statistics

    • Total Members
      132,929
    • Most Online (within 30 mins)
      7,748
    KayTag
    Newest Member
    KayTag
    Joined
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A20):
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A22):

  • Forum Statistics

    • Total Topics
      121.5k
    • Total Posts
      1m
  • Celiac.com Sponsor (A21):

  • Upcoming Events

  • Posts

    • cristiana
      Healthy diet leading to terrible bloating

      By cristiana · Posted

      Hello fellow coeliacs and a Happy New Year I'd appreciate some advice. In December I gave up junk food and ate a new healthy diet, which had a lot of gluten-free oats, nuts, oranges in it, and a quite a lot of black coffee, rather than my usual lattes etc.  After a week or so I felt awful bubbling and bloating in the area which I would say is the ascending and transverse colon.  Earlier in the day it might start with stabbing pain, maybe just two or three 'stabs', or a bit of an ache in my pelvis area, and then by the evening replaced with this awful bloated feeling.   I can still fit into all my clothes, there isn't any visible bloating but a feeling of bloating builds from early afternoon onwards.  The pain and bloating has always gone by the morning.  BMs normal.   I went back to my normal diet over Christmas, for a couple of days things improved, but the bubbling and bloating then came back with a vengeance.  I'm having an ultrasound in a couple of weeks to check my pelvic area and if that is clear I suspect may have to have a colonoscopy, but is there anything anyone can recommend to calm this bloating down.  I have been given an additional diagnosis of IBS in the past but it has never been this severe.   I have to confess that I might have had some gluten over Christmas, I ate a lot of Belgium chocolates which were meant to be gluten free but the small print reveals that they were made in a shared facility, so I have probably brought this all on myself!
    • TheDHhurts
      Prana Organics no longer GFCO-certified

      By TheDHhurts · Posted

      I've been buying my seeds and nuts from Prana Organics for a number of years because the products have been GFCO-certified. I just got a new order delivered of their flax and sunflower seeds, and it turns out that they are no longer GFCO-certified. Instead, it just has a generic "Gluten Free" symbol on the package. I reached out to them to ask what protocols/standards/testing they have in place. The person that wrote back said that they are now certifying their gluten free status in-house, but that she couldn't answer my questions related to standards because the person with that info was on vacation. Not very impressed, especially since it still says on their website that they are GFCO-certified. Buyer beware!
    • cristiana
      Newly diagnosed mam to coeliac 11 year old

      By cristiana · Posted

      Hi @Dizzyma I note what @trents has commented about you possibly posting from the UK.  Just to let you know that am a coeliac based in the UK, so if that is the case, do let me know if can help you with any questions on the NHS provision for coeliacs.    If you are indeed based in the UK, and coeliac disease is confirmed, I would thoroughly recommend you join Coeliac UK, as they provide a printed food and drink guide and also a phone app which you can take shopping with you so you can find out if a product is gluten free or not. But one thing I would like to say to you, no matter where you live, is you mention that your daughter is anxious.  I was always a bit of a nervous, anxious child but before my diagnosis in mid-life my anxiety levels were through the roof.   My anxiety got steadily better when I followed the gluten-free diet and vitamin and mineral deficiencies were addressed.  Anxiety is very common at diagnosis, you may well find that her anxiety will improve once your daughter follows a strict gluten-free diet. Cristiana 
    • trents
      Newly diagnosed mam to coeliac 11 year old

      By trents · Posted

      Welcome to the celic.com community @Dizzyma! I'm assuming you are in the U.K. since you speak of your daughter's celiac disease blood tests as "her bloods".  Has her physician officially diagnosed her has having celiac disease on the results of her blood tests alone? Normally, if the ttg-iga blood test results are positive, a follow-up endoscopy with biopsy of the small bowel lining to check for damage would be ordered to confirm the results of "the bloods". However if the ttg-iga test score is 10x normal or greater, some physicians, particularly in the U.K., will dispense with the endoscopy/biopsy. If there is to be an endoscopy/biopsy, your daughter should not yet begin the gluten free diet as doing so would allow healing of the small bowel lining to commence which may result in a biopsy finding having results that conflict with the blood work. Do you know if an endoscopy/biopsy is planned? Celiac disease can have onset at any stage of life, from infancy to old age. It has a genetic base but the genes remain dormant until and unless triggered by some stress event. The stress event can be many things but it is often a viral infection. About 40% of the general population have the genetic potential to develop celiac disease but only about 1% actually develop celiac disease. So, for most, the genes remain dormant.  Celiac disease is by nature an autoimmune disorder. That is to say, gluten ingestion triggers an immune response that causes the body to attack its own tissues. In this case, the attack happens in he lining of the small bowel, at least classically, though we now know there are other body systems that can sometimes be affected. So, for a person with celiac disease, when they ingest gluten, the body sends attacking cells to battle the gluten which causes inflammation as the gluten is being absorbed into the cells that make up the lining of the small bowel. This causes damage to the cells and over time, wears them down. This lining is composed of billions of tiny finger-like projections and which creates a tremendous surface area for absorbing nutrients from the food we eat. This area of the intestinal track is where all of our nutrition is absorbed. As these finger-like projections get worn down by the constant inflammation from continued gluten consumption before diagnosis (or after diagnosis in the case of those who are noncompliant) the efficiency of nutrient absorption from what we eat can be drastically reduced. This is why iron deficiency anemia and other nutrient deficiency related medical problems are so common in the celiac population. So, to answer your question about the wisdom of allowing your daughter to consume gluten on a limited basis to retain some tolerance to it, that would not be a sound approach because it would prevent healing of the lining of her small bowel. It would keep the fires of inflammation smoldering. The only wise course is strict adherence to a gluten free diet, once all tests to confirm celiac disease are complete.
    • Dizzyma
      Newly diagnosed mam to coeliac 11 year old

      By Dizzyma · Posted

      Hi all, I have so many questions and feel like google is giving me very different information. Hoping I may get some more definite answers here. ok, my daughter has been diagnosed as a coeliac as her bloods show anti TTG antibodies are over 128. We have started her  on a full gluten free diet. my concerns are that she wasn’t actually physically sick on her regular diet, she had tummy issues and skin sores. My fear is that she will build up a complete intolerance to gluten and become physically sick if she has gluten. Is there anything to be said for keeping a small bit of gluten in the diet to stop her from developing a total intolerance?  also, she would be an anxious type of person, is it possible that stress is the reason she has become coeliac? I read that diagnosis later in childhood could be following a sickness or stress. How can she have been fine for the first 10 years and then become coeliac? sorry, I’m just very confused and really want to do right by her. I know a coeliac and she has a terrible time after she gets gluttened so just want to make sure going down a total gluten free road is the right choice. thank you for any help or advise xx 
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

NOTICE: This site places This site places cookies on your device (Cookie settings). on your device. Continued use is acceptance of our Terms of Use, and Privacy Policy.