Ep 215 The Gluten Perspective

Let’s start the blog with the show notes for this Episode –

This week I chat with someone who is almost a part of our family.  My daughter Deanna’s boyfriend Adam has learned a great deal about celiac disease and the gluten free diet over the past few years. His perspective is from someone who has no eating restrictions.  We often wonder how the rest of the world sees us, and how we can best help them to cope with our eating restrictions.  Adam takes us through his education on celiac disease, what he expects when they eat away from home and, how he copes with educating his family and friends, as well as being protective of Deanna.

Sue’s Websites and Social Media –

Podcast https://acanadianceliacpodcast.libsyn.com

Podcast Blog – https://www.acanadianceliacblog.com

Email – acdnceliacpodcast@gmail.com

Celiac Kid Stuff – https://www.celiackidstuff.com

Baking Website – https://www.suesglutenfreebaking.com

Instagram – @suesgfbaking

YouTube – https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUVGfpD4eJwwSc_YjkGagza06yYe3ApzL

Email – sue@suesglutenfreebaking.com

Other Podcast – Gluten Free Weigh In – https://glutenfreeweighin.libsyn.com

My Thoughts –

From a parental point of view, it’s certainly comforting that someone else is looking out for my daughter and trying to keep her safe.  It’s hard enough to go back in time to remember my learning curve about celiac disease, but in Adam’s case, it’s third person.  He has to understand the condition, understand how to eat safely, and how to educate others who are around Deanna.  In our household, I taught the family as I learned.  Deanna was only five when she was diagnosed, so she doesn’t remember her life before celiac.  My husband saw me suffer with digestive issues for years and was empathetic and helpful in any way he could be.  My younger daughter doesn’t know anything different.

That worked at home, but eventually Deanna was going to go out into the world and needing to stay safe as an adult.  She takes her need for the gluten free diet in stride, and it’s that easy-going attitude that has rubbed off on Adam.  They both know the severity of the condition, but also have strategies worked out to keep Deanna safe.  What became clear in my conversation with Adam was the responsibility he takes on to ensure that “his” world is safe for her.  His world includes his family, friends, family traditions, vacations, and everyday situations.

Those of us with celiac disease, for the most part, started our education about gluten after we received our diagnosis.  In Adam’s case, it started when he met Deanna.  We continue to learn everyday how to make our daily meals satisfy and safe.  Adam, too will continue to learn.  Our motivation is our health, his motivation is caring for someone special – so different and not different at all.