It Just Hurts So Much

[mysecretcurse]

Sorry I know I could put this in the travel section but I feel it has more to do with coping.

I'm planning on doing a sort of travel around the world, "finding myself" time this upcoming year. The first part of it will be 6 weeks to 2 months spent backpacking around South East Asia. This I am okay with. I hear Thailand is very rice based in their foods and celiac friend, rice, meats, veggies, fruit, etc. So I feel okay about that.

But well when I got back to the states I'll be homeless as I gave up my apartment and sold my car to have money to travel, and I planned on seeing if I could find some type of work where housing was provided such as lodge work in a national park or resort. I've applied a bunch of places, and talked to a lot of reps from companies, etc etc.

I keep hearing the same response.

"We can't work with celiac"

"We cant accomodate special diets sorry"

"NO special diets"

"We do not have gluten free options available for employees"

It's just breaking my heart. Not only do I have to suffer with this horrible condition, making it impossible to do almost anything normal, but now I'm being rejected from the jobs I want because my condition is too much trouble for them????!!!

Its scary the thought of going to live and work at these places with the attitude they have because there aren't grocery stores or kitchens for the employees, its all either cafeteria style meals or eating at the restaurant. I find it DISGUSTING that these resorts and parks which cater to people from all over the world have NO knowdlege of how to accomodate celiacs!

I'm sorry I just have to rant. There is so much i want to do in life and my celiac is holding me back so much.

[Fiddle-Faddle]

Look for work at Disneyworld or Disneyland--they are AWESOME with food allergies!

[1morething]

Sending you lots of hugs. Something will pan out. God doesn't deal us things we can't handle. Everything happens for a reason. You'll see everything will work out

[mysecretcurse]

Thank you. I will look into disneyland. Never thought about that! I wouldn't mind living in Southern California either, I love LA.

I guess it's just frustrating (and sickening) at the lack of awareness about celiac disease, when its SO common. Especially for resorts and things, they seem to have NO clue about it, wouldn't you think they would have celiac people coming to their resort and seeking proper food? I don't get it.

[GlutenWrangler]

It's pretty much a form of discrimination, and it's definitely not right. It's not much different than denying people because of disabilities. I hope you'll be able to find a place that does accomodate special diets. Good luck.

-Brian

[imagine22]

that would come under discrimination where I am! (Not USA).

[mysecretcurse]

I know, I feel like it's discrimination too!

I wonder how I would go about doing something about it. This is way to common a thing for it not to be more accepted.

[Lisa16]

You are protected under the ADA. There is currently a thread on this in the gluten behavoir section with links to the law.

People use the ADA to make sure their kids get safe lunches. You can use it in a case like this too.

Sorry.

Lisa

[Generic]

The problem would be proving it.....They can use the excuse oh we weren't hiring at the the time......blah, blah,blah.