Jury Duty Exclusion

[ENF]

Yet another lecture about toughing it out. Geez.

The consequences of Celiac, and other problems, might be easy to "control" if you live in Gooberville, but it can be very different in a city like New York.

[Jestgar]

Yet another lecture about toughing it out. Geez.

You are the only one who knows what your body is doing, and the only one who can decide what's right for you. I'm sure you have situations where you can 'tough it out' and others that require you to acquiesce to your body's demands.

I interpret other people's posts as "do as much as you can, without damaging your health. Say "no" because you can't, not because it's hard. Don't let difficulties become limitations, but don't add to your difficulties by accepting hardships.

Do what's appropriate for you.

[Gemini]

I am the same way. Stress can set me off also.

I get called to jury duty all the time. I was in a jury pool for a big murder case that involved the death penalty. Luckily, the jury was selected just before they got to me. They were sequestered for 5 weeks. That would be a real problem for a celiac.

Being chosen for a sequestered jury would be a valid excuse for a Celiac to NOT serve. They provide all food in that case and I highly doubt the court system would get that right. There would be no way in which to obtain a gluten-free meal so unless you serve on a jury that lets you go home every evening, I think being excused from that is a no-brainer.

[Takala]

.....Sequestered Juries

Oh, geez, that is what I mean about having fear of Grand Juries. That is also done during the deliberation process in long or complicated trials, when there is a problem with gaining consensus of all the jurors in gaining a verdict- the judge just sends you back into the room. You can't just grab us off the street and expect us to eat normal restaurant food brought to us, gaaaaaaaah.

They would have to provide a kitchen, or at least a microwave, and let us bring our own food and cookware. That would go over real well, I'm sure.

[Gemini]

Oh, geez, that is what I mean about having fear of Grand Juries. That is also done during the deliberation process in long or complicated trials, when there is a problem with gaining consensus of all the jurors in gaining a verdict- the judge just sends you back into the room. You can't just grab us off the street and expect us to eat normal restaurant food brought to us, gaaaaaaaah.

They would have to provide a kitchen, or at least a microwave, and let us bring our own food and cookware. That would go over real well, I'm sure.

Although it does present a problem, there is no need to fear any of this. For extended juror duty where provided food is not possible for a Celiac, I have no doubt that the court would understand and excuse a person. Sequestered....same thing. Those are extenuating circumstances. For regular service where your obligation is for up to a week or two, it's no different than going to work. Provided you have healed and are not symptomatic, it should not be a problem. I may have celiac disease but I am not disabled by it and it does not run my life.....anymore, that is.

[ENF]

Oh, geez, that is what I mean about having fear of Grand Juries. That is also done during the deliberation process in long or complicated trials, when there is a problem with gaining consensus of all the jurors in gaining a verdict- the judge just sends you back into the room. You can't just grab us off the street and expect us to eat normal restaurant food brought to us, gaaaaaaaah.

They would have to provide a kitchen, or at least a microwave, and let us bring our own food and cookware. That would go over real well, I'm sure.

The convicted prisoners' religious and health dietary needs are taken care of - they get their custom, special meals cooked to order. When they get out, they are exempt from jury duty because they were convicted of a felony. Since I'm out of work right now anyway, crime is beginning to sound like a worthwhile career for a person with celiac to take up - it pays well, and if I get caught it would make my life a lot easier to not have to plan and cook meals, shop, pay rent, cable TV bills, etc.

Open Original Shared Link

[debmidge]

Some medical scientists now believe that the human digestive system has it's own intelligence. Since we celiacs are extra-sensitive, and often scarred, in this area, the "brain" of our gut, it becomes understandably upset in stressful situations when we cannot always react in a fashion that is appropriate and natural, such as raising of the voice, employing other body language (I sometimes did both, lol), even running away, etc. Simply "letting it out" does not usually prevent the stomach problems, either. However, in a real emergency, at least in my experience, the usual stomach/intestinal disastrous reactions go on hold and one can function well as long as needed. In non-critical stressful situations like the ones we're talking about, such as bad jobs, jury duty, etc., avoidance is often the best option for people with digestive, and often other, disorders that interfere with well-being.

Since PTSD is possible with the brain in our heads, who can say for sure that it's not possible with the "brain" in our guts, as well? I think that it is, and for many Celiacs it's a reminder of what they've been through, and can serve as a warning to be cautious with their health, both mental and physical, in the future.

Hope this makes some sense!

I recently read an internet article about IBS (not the same as celiac disease) obviously, but it mentioned that the intestines remember "injury" and will keep reacting at times. This article was regarding bile salts irritating the intestines and the after-effects of removal of the gallbladder and it mentioned any intestinal problem is remembered by the intestines. My husband was diagnosed AFTER celiac disease damaged his nervous system and other systems - I think it's true that the longer it takes to get diagnosed the harder it is to bounce back and the more likely it is that you'll not recover enough to be back to "normal" to do more "normal" things. I know this is the case with my husband and his doctors know that and he always is able to get excused from jury duty because it would be just too tortuous on his body.

But after all, only the person who is going thru the health problem knows his or her limitations and if they chose to try Jury Duty out to see how they fare, that's a good thing - at least they'll know if they can handle it. But the court system should recognize that certain health problems will interfere with a person's health or even with the court proceedings if they do not let those people be excused.

I am surprised that the court did not allow the woman who homeschools her children to be excused. To me, that is a legitimate excuse.

[mattathayde]

i had jury duty before i was going very strict on my gluten-free diet and just loaded up on imodium, i got struck for the jury right away though because the defense attorney asked if any one was related to an LEO or was an LEO/retired LEO. my dad was in the USCG and any coastie that is an officer (commissioned or non commissioned) is legally an LEO. with the case being a he said she said with about 4-5 of the local sheriff office vs this lady charged with DUI i think, they didnt want any "bias" to LEOs

i totally understand the need to be excused due to GI issues, i still get gi issues once in a while with being on a gluten-free diet and its never really consistent (i think it may be to much sugar but im not sure, i used to eat a lot more sugary stuff but then again i had GI issues all the time).

i also understand the idea of not using celiac disease as an excuse for stuff but honestly its enough of an issue to prevent us from serving in the military, at least those of us that have the gi issues because we could not eat the standard meals. if you have celiac disease it doesnt mean you cant do anything some one with out it has but it doe make some things more difficult when it comes to nourishing your self. along with the fact that most of us have other issues of some kind be it just a small allergy up to things which are much worse the just celiac disease

-matt

[ENF]

The jury duty notice states that there are no exemptions, everybody that is eligible to serve must do so, and that the court will make accommodations for people with disabilities and hearing trouble.

I think that the last thing they want is interruptions due to problems with jurors, which could result in a mistrial.

(edited)

[luvthelake21]

Is'nt Celiac Disease a Autoimmune Disease? Can't stress to a person with a autoimmune disease cause problems. Every thing I have read about Celiac Disease will state stress is not healthy. Also Ceiac Disease does faLL under the ADA in some rgards.

[Lisa]

The jury duty notice states that there are no exemptions, everybody that is eligible to serve

I don't know if this varies from state to state, but in North Carolina, if you are 65 or older, you can be exempt from jury duty for life, if you contact the clerk's office and show proof of age.