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Is This Idea Crazy?

ravenwoodglass

By ravenwoodglass
in Coping with Celiac Disease

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ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted

Things are getting desperate in the job search area in my life. Lately I have been seriously considering going back to what I have the most experience in which is cooking. I have been thinking about going to a nursing home or hospital and seeing if I can get a job in their nutrition dept. I know from experience that cooking in these places is a lot different from cooking in a restaurant (I have done both). My thinking is that having a celiac working in a food service that must deal with peoples allergies and intolerances might be advantagous to both them and me. Plus these type of work environments generally have health insurance as a benefit, something I haven't had in a long time.

My kids seem to think the idea is crazy. What do you guys think?

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kareng Grand Master
kareng
Posted

Doesn't seem crazy to me. Baking probably wouldn't be involved. That might be the only thing I would really worry about.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

I think it's a brilliant idea (and I would just avoid any baking as well).

Knowing your kind nature, this would be ideal for them to have you on staff.

Good luck, Raven!

tom Contributor
tom
Posted

Far from crazy, I think it sounds awesome. It's heartwrenching to read of hospitalized celiacs having problems getting safe food. :angry:

GottaSki Mentor
GottaSki
Posted

I think that sounds like a wonderful idea ~ good luck in your job search ~ they will be lucky to have you :)

eatmeat4good Enthusiast
eatmeat4good
Posted

I don't see how you could keep yourself safe in that environment if they bake or use wheat flour in the kitchen at all. Gloves and masks can only do so much. Just thinking about how you would manage your health, not trying to put a damper on your dream.

JNBunnie1 Community Regular
JNBunnie1
Posted

I would think most hospital environments would not be baking on site- perhaps I'm wrong about that. But if it's possible for you to do it safely, I think it's a fantastic idea. I've considered something similar for myself.

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ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
  • Author

Yea I wouldn't be able to bake. But at the time I worked in the hospital cafe there was no baking. All breads etc were premade. I am hoping that is still the case. I don't know about nursing homes but I guess I will find out over the coming weeks.

mbrookes Community Regular
mbrookes
Posted

Sounds like a really good idea. Do you have any training in the nutrition field? They might have regulations that require that if you want to have input into the menu or recipes. I salute you for looking for solutions rather that moaning about your situation.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
  • Author

Sounds like a really good idea. Do you have any training in the nutrition field? They might have regulations that require that if you want to have input into the menu or recipes. I salute you for looking for solutions rather that moaning about your situation.

I only had one nutrition class while working on my Human Service degree however before I worked in the hospital previously I had years of experience working in a restuarant that was the only one in town that dealt with folks with food allergies. I stopped cooking and went to college because all my doctors said it was the stress of the job that was making me sick. I don't expect to have input into the menus, the nutritionists and head cooks do those. I would however be able to keep naturally gluten-free foods safe as far as the handling goes and let folks know what is safe and what isn't that is coming from the main kitchen and off my grill.

sora Community Regular
sora
Posted

Yea I wouldn't be able to bake. But at the time I worked in the hospital cafe there was no baking. All breads etc were premade. I am hoping that is still the case. I don't know about nursing homes but I guess I will find out over the coming weeks.

I worked a nursing home for a while and all baked stuff/desserts were brought in frozen. We would sit them out to thaw and then someone would portion them. Good luck to you in you job hunt.

rosetapper23 Explorer
rosetapper23
Posted

I think this is a great idea....but you might also consider taking it even further and starting your own consulting business (since you have a cooking background) to train the staff's of nursing homes and elder-care community housing in the preparing and serving of gluten-free meals, etc. I believe in patient advocacy...and this area is currently very lacking in skilled personnel.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

I think this is a great idea....but you might also consider taking it even further and starting your own consulting business (since you have a cooking background) to train the staff's of nursing homes and elder-care community housing in the preparing and serving of gluten-free meals, etc. I believe in patient advocacy...and this area is currently very lacking in skilled personnel.

YES!!! Wise thoughts, Rosie! I could not agree more. I have been thinking a lot about people in nursing homes who may be in need of this service. People in mental health wards. People who look to food pantries and do not get what they need from the available stock. When I feel better, I think I will help the local food pantries stock a few shelves with gluten-free supplies.

My biggest fear is I will end up in the hospital or a rehab facility (but I have people who will bring me food).... what about the rest of the gluten-free population without resources? :(

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
  • Author

My biggest fear is I will end up in the hospital or a rehab facility (but I have people who will bring me food).... what about the rest of the gluten-free population without resources? :(

Yea, as I have said to friends there are two places that if I ever went into them I would likely never leave alive, a hospital or a jail.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Yea, as I have said to friends there are two places that if I ever went into them I would likely never leave alive, a hospital or a jail.

Sweets, as long as you have friends and family, you'll never have to worry. If you ever get arrested, I'd be stunned. :lol:

I have thought about a chain with a dog tag welded around my neck saying "DO NOT feed me gluten".

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
  • Author

Sweets, as long as you have friends and family, you'll never have to worry.

Your right but since I have no friends, except for you guys, (being sick for years can do that to a person), and the only family I have is two children who both live far away I do worry about it. There are lots of others in that position also but I don't waste time feeling lonely or sad about it. At the place where I volunteer they do know if I don't show up to call the police though so the most time I would lay waiting for help is 6 days, maybe less if a neighbor notices I am not taking in my mail.

GF Lover Rising Star
GF Lover
Posted

I have thought about a chain with a dog tag welded around my neck saying "DO NOT feed me gluten".

Dang IH, you pulled a memory from my brain. When I was a child, my friends mom always made whoopie pies. I would eat them of course and not be hungry for dinner. So my mom pinned a note on the back of my shirts that said 'do not feed' she told me it said 'you are loved'.

She never told me about that until I had my own kids and we laughed hysterically. Thanks for the memory :)

Please excuse my off topic response.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
  • Author

Dang IH, you pulled a memory from my brain. When I was a child, my friends mom always made whoopie pies. I would eat them of course and not be hungry for dinner. So my mom pinned a note on the back of my shirts that said 'do not feed' she told me it said 'you are loved'.

:lol::lol::lol::lol::lol::lol:

Thanks for the early morning laugh!!!

And thank you everyone for your replies. I'll keep you all posted when I am able to find a position and let you know how it goes.

IrishHeart Veteran
IrishHeart
Posted

Your right but since I have no friends, except for you guys, (being sick for years can do that to a person), and the only family I have is two children who both live far away I do worry about it. There are lots of others in that position also but I don't waste time feeling lonely or sad about it. At the place where I volunteer they do know if I don't show up to call the police though so the most time I would lay waiting for help is 6 days, maybe less if a neighbor notices I am not taking in my mail.

Having suffered a similar situation (friends who abandoned ship when I was sick for 3 years), my heart just broke a little for you.

I'm sorry Raven, no one deserves that and I wish you lived closer to me. :( You're a whole state away.

Is there a local celiac group where you can meet a few fellow celiacs and have a support system--I mean besides all of us, of course. Honestly, some of the most loyal people/friends I have met are those I have come to know since my DX. :)

Maybe you need a medic alert bracelet or a document/statement or something "official" so you get the attention you deserve should you be hospitalized?

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
  • Author

Having suffered a similar situation (friends who abandoned ship when I was sick for 3 years), my heart just broke a little for you.

I'm sorry Raven, no one deserves that and I wish you lived closer to me. :( You're a whole state away.

Is there a local celiac group where you can meet a few fellow celiacs and have a support system--I mean besides all of us, of course. Honestly, some of the most loyal people/friends I have met are those I have come to know since my DX. :)

Maybe you need a medic alert bracelet or a document/statement or something "official" so you get the attention you deserve should you be hospitalized?

I do have a medic alert bracelet and also have a living will made. All set there thankfully. I'm also putting my house up for sale soon (anyone want a 3 bedroom house a block away from city schools? LOL) so who knows maybe I will be closer to your location eventually as I am not sure I want to stay in the area I am in and I want to live closer to my kids. Don't be sad for me, I am quite content with my life in general. I had lots of freinds when I lived in other states and before I got sick. I just worry about my fur family if something should happen to me and no one knows. Hopefully I will soon have a job which will be a bit of safety net as far as that issue goes.

bartfull Rising Star
bartfull
Posted

"I just worry about my fur family if something should happen to me and no one knows."

Me too. After 9/11 when I heard people talking about not being able to get back to their apartments for several days, and saying they were sure their pets must be out of food and water by now, I started making sure my cat had enough food and water to last at least a week.

I still do. I use an empty coffee container for water. It doesn't take up any more room than her bowl did but it's so much taller there is PLENTY of water to get her through emergencies. Also, I fill her dish with dried food every morning, but I leave the cabinet door ajar just enough that she can get to the bag if need be. She KNOWS that is where her food is and I'm pretty sure if she were hungry she would get in there, tip the bag out, and have plenty to eat. I'm sure people who know I do this think I'm crazy, especially because I live in one of the safest places in America, but I don't care what they think. If I know my little cat is protected, I feel better.

ravenwoodglass Mentor
ravenwoodglass
Posted
  • Author

"I just worry about my fur family if something should happen to me and no one knows."

Me too. After 9/11 when I heard people talking about not being able to get back to their apartments for several days, and saying they were sure their pets must be out of food and water by now, I started making sure my cat had enough food and water to last at least a week.

I still do. I use an empty coffee container for water. It doesn't take up any more room than her bowl did but it's so much taller there is PLENTY of water to get her through emergencies. Also, I fill her dish with dried food every morning, but I leave the cabinet door ajar just enough that she can get to the bag if need be. She KNOWS that is where her food is and I'm pretty sure if she were hungry she would get in there, tip the bag out, and have plenty to eat. I'm sure people who know I do this think I'm crazy, especially because I live in one of the safest places in America, but I don't care what they think. If I know my little cat is protected, I feel better.

I do the same thing so your not crazy, well unless we both are. I do it for a different reason though. My foundling loves to scoot water bowls across the floor spilling their contents on the way. Took a couple weeks but I found a HUGE heavy crockery bowl, must weigh well over 5 lbs with the water in it. Took care of that problem and is big enough to last my guys days if needed.

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