My Support Group Meeting Experience

[angel-jd1]

Last night I went to my first ever support group meeting. The group in town is just getting started and I thought it might be good to participate. I was really excited about finally having a local group. The air was soon let out of my balloon.

Many of the people at the meeting were following so many "old school" rules it was rediculous. When I tried to explain differently to them, they looked at me like I was crazy, instead of taking in the info and learning. There were a few that were very interested, but many just didn't want to hear new things. Not sure why they were even there?!?

What REALLY got me was the local health food store owners were invited to the meeting, which was nice. However, they brought a couple with them who is wanting to start a gluten free bakery. They had brought some products to sample and set them out before the meeting for people to try.

As the meeting went on, the lady of this baking couple goes "so how careful do we need to be if we bake regular items in our store". We explained to her that cross contamination was a huge issue etc etc. She then goes " well then I guess you probably shouldn't eat the products we brought" after many of the people ate them!! I guess she wasn't so careful with her baking, and pretty much didn't do any research before baking these for the group and even putting a label on them that says "GLUTEN FREE". She basically poisoned any person who had tried her products at that meeting! I was flabbergasted at their lack of concern and lack of research before attempting to feed people a products. Especially when they are running a busisness. Crazyness!!

I had collected samples from a TON of manufacturers or I probably would have been over at that table trying their "goodies". I was at my table making sure everyone got samples of all the things that I brought. I'm so glad that I was busy, I can't afford to be sick for a week due to the stupidity (or not being educated) of others.

The whole meeting thing wasn't what I had hoped it would be. It was a let down. I think, no i'm sure, I get more out of the information online than I EVER would in a support group meeting.

-Jessica

[celiac3270]

However, they brought a couple with them who is wanting to start a gluten free bakery. They had brought some products to sample and set them out before the meeting for people to try.

As the meeting went on, the lady of this baking couple goes "so how careful do we need to be if we bake regular items in our store". We explained to her that cross contamination was a huge issue etc etc. She then goes " well then I guess you probably shouldn't eat the products we brought" after many of the people ate them!!  I guess she wasn't so careful with her baking, and pretty much didn't do any research before baking these for the group and even putting a label on them that says "GLUTEN FREE". She basically poisoned any person who had tried her products at that meeting! I was flabbergasted at their lack of concern and lack of research before attempting to feed people a products. Especially when they are running a busisness. Crazyness!!

Wow--that's absolutely ridiculous. Really sorry to hear that the meeting didn't turn out that well.

[darlindeb25]

angel--i had a similiar experience--well, kind of--my 1st support meeting was filled with very kind people and all very knowledgeable about celiacs--the problem was they made pizza and single serving cakes, which were very good, but something must of had soy or corn flour in it because i was very ill by morning and even though i know it was no fault of theirs, i feel discouraged over going to these meetings--i just dont know what i think anymore i will probably go back, i dont know--i feel guilty if i dont try things and i worry that if i do i will get sick--dont know deb

[angel-jd1]

I had the very same feeling. I didn't eat their "home baked" goodies that the other members brought either. I didn't feel safe eating them after talking to them and learning how far behind in "up to date" information they were. I was scared that I would end up sick.

-Jessica

[MySuicidalTurtle]

One time my group had a cooking class at a health food store and for most they made a variety of each thing. . .it was nice because it allowed everyone to try something.

[VegasCeliacBuckeye]

FYI,

At these meetings, make sure name tags are used that also list all of your allergies/intolerances.

In addition, people need to list all of their ingredients if they bring a dish or potluck to the event.

Any other action is negligent and dangerous.

[coeliacinfostand]

In Australia the Australian Food and Grocery Council have published guidelines for the manufacturing of food for people with alergies. I often make a point of ensuring bakeries, restaurants, etc who sell gluten free food have a copy of it. There is a link to it:

"Manufacturing & Handling Gluten Free Food (pdf file)"

on my website at:

Open Original Shared Link

as well as several other useful links, mainly applicable to Australia.