Discrimination Against Celiacs?

[alucard4545]

The link I will post below sums up the whole situation that's going on right now with Actress/Celiac Jennifer Esposito. If you haven't heard about it already in the news or online, I would urge you to read this. I believe it is discriminatory against celiacs and people with disabilitites in general and it should not be tolerated...

The link is a petition and I would strongly urge anyone to read it and sign it if they want to help get the right thing done. It doesn't take long and it is an important issue and has to do with all of us. Here it is:

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[LauraB0927]

Thanks for posting this! I was absolutely appalled by the article - I signed and re-posted on Facebook to get more people to sign.

[shadowicewolf]

I think there might be a bit more to that then what is being said about it.

[alucard4545]

Thanks for posting this! I was absolutely appalled by the article - I signed and re-posted on Facebook to get more people to sign.

You're welcome. I was glad to post it because it angered me as well.

[StephanieL]

If she's following a gluten-free diet, why would she be prone to "passing out"? I agree, there has got to be more to this.

[Lisa]

I, personally would reserve an opinion until I know more facts. Many people here, who post consistantly, have full time jobs. Other than an unusual inconvienience, I have heard no complaints.

It would be pretty bad, if someone exploited our disorder for financial reasons. BUT, I will withhold my thoughts until more information appears.

[GottaSki]

If she's following a gluten-free diet, why would she be prone to "passing out"?

Perhaps I am misinterpreting this statement - I have been as gluten-free as possible in the world we live in for over three and half years and still have serious health problems stemming from decades of undiagnosed celiac disease. From what I've read, Ms. Esposito was yet another of us that doctors misdiagnosed for years and she has made every attempt to heal by living gluten-free.

I am not saying there are not two sides to every story - just that if you have Celiac Disease - how can you assume another Celiac's diet would be responsible for a situation such as this - have you never been accidentally glutened? If so, count yourself fortunate.

[psawyer]

There are many articles out there, with more appearing all the time. What they all seem to have in common is that they are based on interviews or quotes from Jennifer Esposito. I have not seen anything that offers the story from the producer's perspective.

I know someone here in Canada who was diagnosed years ago, and has been gluten-free for at least seven years. She is still unable to work and is on full disability due to refractory celiac disease. Most of us fully recover on a strict gluten-free diet, but not everyone.

We don't know all the facts, so let's not pass judgement.

[alucard4545]

Perhaps I am misinterpreting this statement - I have been as gluten-free as possible in the world we live in for over three and half years and still have serious health problems stemming from decades of undiagnosed celiac disease. From what I've read, Ms. Esposito was yet another of us that doctors misdiagnosed for years and she has made every attempt to heal by living gluten-free.

I am not saying there are not two sides to every story - just that if you have Celiac Disease - how can you assume another Celiac's diet would be responsible for a situation such as this - have you never been accidentally glutened? If so, count yourself fortunate.

I agree with this completely.

I’ve thought about it and Jennifer Esposito has had a very successful career so far. One must question why she would throw that away and risk her job on the show if this wasn’t a serious case of her being treated unfairly because of her celiac. She has even stated that CBS implied that she was not truly ill, and that it was a scheme to get a raise. To me, that alone is unacceptable and it shows the lack of awareness out there about this serious disease. Celiac disease is probably the only disease that you can tell somebody you have, and not know what type of response you will get from them. I bet that if this incident had to do with diabetes instead, there would NEVER have been any question about her actually having diabetes. It shows the level of ignorance out there when it comes to celiac, and that has to change. I would expect people, especially celiacs, to have some compassion for her in this situation.

[Adalaide]

There was an excellent piece on Fox Files Sunday evening. It covered three different people who have celiac. Jennifer happens to be one who was mistreated and misdiagnosed by the medical community for pretty much her entire life. As we all know, healing is a process and even the least bit of CC can lead to serious complications. The piece focused on the struggles she's had through her life rather than the current issue which it only briefly touched on. Unfortunately I can't find the entire piece as a video, it was a half hour long, but if I do I'll post it. (BTW, it also had Dr. Fasano for those who are fans.)

Found the show's full episodes web page. The show will be available in two weeks. So December 2.

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[Juliebove]

There are many articles out there, with more appearing all the time. What they all seem to have in common is that they are based on interviews or quotes from Jennifer Esposito. I have not seen anything that offers the story from the producer's perspective.

I know someone here in Canada who was diagnosed years ago, and has been gluten-free for at least seven years. She is still unable to work and is on full disability due to refractory celiac disease. Most of us fully recover on a strict gluten-free diet, but not everyone.

We don't know all the facts, so let's not pass judgement.

That's true but I also would not be so hasty to file a complaint about this either. She may or may not be being discriminated against but even if she is, we don't know that celiac is the cause.

[alucard4545]

There was an excellent piece on Fox Files Sunday evening. It covered three different people who have celiac. Jennifer happens to be one who was mistreated and misdiagnosed by the medical community for pretty much her entire life. As we all know, healing is a process and even the least bit of CC can lead to serious complications. The piece focused on the struggles she's had through her life rather than the current issue which it only briefly touched on. Unfortunately I can't find the entire piece as a video, it was a half hour long, but if I do I'll post it. (BTW, it also had Dr. Fasano for those who are fans.)

Found the show's full episodes web page. The show will be available in two weeks. So December 2.

Open Original Shared Link

I found out the segment is up on vimeo --->

[Lisa]

Thank you for that video....even if it was from the Fox Network . Fasano does good work! He is an epic leader in our small world.

[Adalaide]

That is the entire part of the show that matters. The first half of the show was something else entirely and is completely unrelated. It was good to see a piece that covered Jennifer Esposito that focused on her struggles and the disease and not on all the nonsense with CBS.

And yes, regardless of your feelings about Fox, it is a well done piece that doesn't fall into the nonsense that makes me want to bash my face on my desk like most of the pieces I see.

[GottaSki]

I found out the segment is up on vimeo --->

Thank you for sharing this - I copied it to my FB with the following:

Finally...an accurate portrayal of Celiac Disease in the media rather than the more common commentary that repeatedly calls a very serious autoimmune disease "trendy" or a "fad weight loss diet" or that "gluten free is a dietary choice" -- I have never said these words before - Thank you Fox News.

[IrishHeart]

Perhaps I am misinterpreting this statement - I have been as gluten-free as possible in the world we live in for over three and half years and still have serious health problems stemming from decades of undiagnosed celiac disease. From what I've read, Ms. Esposito was yet another of us that doctors misdiagnosed for years and she has made every attempt to heal by living gluten-free.

I know someone here in Canada who was diagnosed years ago, and has been gluten-free for at least seven years. She is still unable to work and is on full disability due to refractory celiac disease. Most of us fully recover on a strict gluten-free diet, but not everyone.

We don't know all the facts, so let's not pass judgement.

Exactly!

I do not understand how someone can "assume" anything about her diet or if she is compliant or if she is trying to get more money (she isn't. She was interviewed about this subject and she said that was not the issue. She wanted to keep her job, but if she could not meet the demands of the schedule, she wanted them to let her out of her contract. .)

I do not understand how anyone with celiac can criticize anyone else with celiac, period.

If you know anything about this disease, you know it comes with consequences from going undiagnosed as long as she did.

And finally, some celiacs have OTHER issues develop, like microscopic colitis or pernicious anemia--- and this can cause weakness and feeling faint. I know 2 celiacs with these additional AI diseases and they are 100% dietary compliant.

Not everyone with complications from celiac is able to work full time. Those who can should rejoice at their good fortune --and refrain from passing judgement on those who cannot.

[alucard4545]

Thank you for sharing this - I copied it to my FB with the following:

Finally...an accurate portrayal of Celiac Disease in the media rather than the more common commentary that repeatedly calls a very serious autoimmune disease "trendy" or a "fad weight loss diet" or that "gluten free is a dietary choice" -- I have never said these words before - Thank you Fox News.

Beautifully said

[alucard4545]

Exactly!

I do not understand how someone can "assume" anything about her diet or if she is compliant or if she is trying to get more money (she isn't. She was interviewed about this subject and she said that was not the issue. She wanted to keep her job, but if she could not meet the demands of the schedule, she wanted them to let her out of her contract. .)

I do not understand how anyone with celiac can criticize anyone else with celiac, period.

If you know anything about this disease, you know it comes with consequences from going undiagnosed as long as she did.

And finally, some celiacs have OTHER issues develop, like microscopic colitis or pernicious anemia--- and this can cause weakness and feeling faint. I know 2 celiacs with these additional AI diseases and they are 100% dietary compliant.

Not everyone with complications from celiac is able to work full time. Those who can should rejoice at their good fortune --and refrain from passing judgement on those who cannot.

I could not have said it better myself. I found it a little disheartening to see some of the previous posts, especially ones that are from Advanced Community Members. People who, by the very fact that they are on this site, should have a clearer understanding that gluten free doesn't automatically mean the problem is solved for all celiacs. I too can not understand how anyone with celiac can criticize another celiac...

[Celiac Mindwarp]

Me too.

When I read some of the stories here I am so grateful for my own improving health and that I caught it when I did.

I am a full time Mum now, but I am terrified at the prospect of working again. I could probably do 20 hours most weeks, but not on regular hours. The thought that if I was in the public eye my fellow celiacs would attack me is dreadful.

[IrishHeart]

I could not have said it better myself. I found it a little disheartening to see some of the previous posts, especially ones that are from Advanced Community Members. People who, by the very fact that they are on this site, should have a clearer understanding that gluten free doesn't automatically mean the problem is solved for all celiacs. I too can not understand how anyone with celiac can criticize another celiac...

Going gluten free is not a magic bullet that instantaneously heals everyone. When leading celiac specialists say" It could take 2 years or longer..." I think they are being realistic. Those of us who take longer and who have complications wish we could "hurry it up already".

but patience is essential.

[alucard4545]

Me too.

When I read some of the stories here I am so grateful for my own improving health and that I caught it when I did.

I am a full time Mum now, but I am terrified at the prospect of working again. I could probably do 20 hours most weeks, but not on regular hours. The thought that if I was in the public eye my fellow celiacs would attack me is dreadful.

It is dreadful isn't it? That's why I started this thread and put the link to the petition right in my first post. In the end it is up to the person to decide whether to sign it, and in my opinion it couldn't hurt. I think it is important to help a fellow celiac who has been mistreated because of her condition. We can have a voice in this.

[Lisa]

We don't know all the facts, so let's not pass judgement.

I agree.

She is a highly paid actor and contracts are detailed. We don't know the facts and may never know. I don't know Jennifer's current state of health, or at the point of her dismissal .Nor do I know the reason for her dismissal by the networks. Do YOU know?

As I stated earlier (as an advanced member)....I'm witholding judgement.

[GottaSki]

I agree.

She is a highly paid actor and contracts are detailed. We don't know the facts and may never know. I don't know Jennifer's current state of health, or at the point of her dismissal .Nor do I know the reason for her dismissal by the networks. Do YOU know?

As I stated earlier (as an advanced member)....I'm witholding judgement.

The problem is she was not dismissed by CBS. She has not been released from her contract to the show. She has stated both in print and in spoken word - she understands if they need to replace her, but release her from the contract so she can look for alternative work.

[Celiac Mindwarp]

Whatever the details, the problem I see is people judging what another celiac can or can't do with their own particular health issues.

The details with CBS and Jennifer are between them, unless they choose to share. How would you feel if the world was wading about in your business while you were in a bad phase of this 'difficult' (understatement) disease?

[mushroom]

I really don't know the answer to your question, Mindwarp, because it has never come up for me, but I suspect I would like to have someone back me up and say, hey, she needs some special dispensation so let her out of her contract since you are saying she cannot fulfill it.