Block Party

[BallardWA]

We had our first block party last night, and the woman who organized it was an absolute control freak who could not understand why we were setting up our own grill and table of food down the block away from everyone.

I tried to explain to her that it was just better for the reason you all know - cross contamination. I told her that no matter how closely I watched, chances were that someone would put one of their items on my grill, or stick their glutened spoon into my salad.

She was astonished, and intimated that we were using my "condition" to opt out of socializing with everyone.

I felt very conflicted. I am so sick of having to explain this stuff to people. I wanted to choke her and beg her forgiveness at the same time. Consequently, she did wind up alienating us, because I didn't want to have to stroll down to the gluten eaters and once again tell my tale.

I was only diagnosed in January, but had been feeling pretty fabulous about how things had been going. My health is improving in leaps and bounds, but this sort of thing is a setback of a different kind.

Right now, I'd like to send her a big wheaty pie with spiders in it. Sorry, just had to say it.

[sickchick]

Geez.

Was your block party just a bunch of strangers who decided to get together for a big dinner? Or was it some organization who puts it together like the p-patch crazy hippy people?

Obviously it wasn't put together by a Celiac group... LOL

[blueeyedmanda]

I am sorry to hear that woman acted that way. You just wanted to make sure your food was safe...honestly in my opinion if I thought you were going to be anti-social then you would have not even came out of the house But back to the other parts of your post. I understand how you feel about the whole conflicting thing....I felt that way at work at first when we would do potlucks and all, explaining everything especially when you have someone who is either not understanding or just making up excuses for you is very frustrating...It was not right for her to say your condition...that is very rude and for an adult immature. You wanted to enjoy the block party without getting ill which is perfect. I guess I don't have much great advice here.

I hope this doesn't deter you from future public outings, one rude person might be few and far between. Were the other neighbors accepting? If so that will make your next outing even better Don't worry about the venting, that what we are here for, feel free to vent anytime, because this is frustrating and I know from my personal life just when you get comfortable and thing everything is smooth you can hit that bump....Hang in there, it sounds like you are doing great

[Judyin Philly]

we've been having these block parties for about 6 years now.

the last 3 i've taken my own food and just eat at the table with everyone else.

many don't know i have celiac but those that did didn't think a thing about it.

last year there was a dish on the table..................i ran by...........b/c all the gluten food looked so darn good.

there was a sign in a dish..........gluten free.

i went to the hostes and she told me someone i didn't even know had been dx'd as had all the family.....

course i didn't try it b/c of cc but i think you were brave to even attend.

one time i went late after everyone was done eating and there was just the fun part.....drinking..... course i wasn't doing that either by the crowd had losened up a bit.

[Will The Thrill]

I go through that crap every day at school. She was a woman who didn't realize your condition. It might help if you told her what would happen, and if you ate wheat every day for a long time, you will develop cancer. It might be best to keep doing what your doing, or what i do is eat before i go to a birthday party or whatever. This way you wont have to worry about getting gluten, and won't have to explain anything to anybody. If they do ask, just say no thank you i'm not hungry. The only downside to this situation for me, is that some people think i'm anorexic (and im a thirteen year old boy!) because i try not to make a big deal about celiac. If that lady person was mean to you, she might not been rude, she just might not of understood your condition. Try not to hold to big of a grudge.

Will :P :P :P :P :P :P

[Lisa]

I go through that crap every day at school. She was a woman who didn't realize your condition. It might help if you told her what would happen, and if you ate wheat every day for a long time, you will develop cancer. It might be best to keep doing what your doing, or what i do is eat before i go to a birthday party or whatever. This way you wont have to worry about getting gluten, and won't have to explain anything to anybody. If they do ask, just say no thank you i'm not hungry. The only downside to this situation for me, is that some people think i'm anorexic (and im a thirteen year old boy!) because i try not to make a big deal about celiac. If that lady person was mean to you, she might not been rude, she just might not of understood your condition. Try not to hold to big of a grudge.

Will :P :P :P :P :P :P

It does get easier and after a while, it will be second nature. You just do what you need to do and often, don't give things a second thought.

I know that sometimes that people can be difficult, but it sounds like you have a great attitude Will!

[sickchick]

HAHAHA Will always has an interesting spin on Celiac life

[CeliacAlli]

HAHAHA Will always has an interesting spin on Celiac life

I agree to what some people say on here, but in Will and my case I have to say that kids/teens can be especially rude. They just don't have the maturity to understand and neither does this lady holding the block party! srry to hear that happend to you!

[CeliacAlli]

srry i didn't mean to copy sickchick's comment...I was trying to add a comment not reply...haha...and yeah I agree will always has an intresting spin