Ep 241 DH and Gluten Free in a Foreign Land

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

On this episode I speak with Derradji Zaarer who lives in Algeria.  Derradji has Dermatitis Herpetiformis or as we often refer to it as “DH”.  DH is essentially celiac disease of the skin.  Diagnosis for DH is often straightforward, as the tiny blisters are usually in symmetric distribution, meaning that if you have them on your left elbow, you will also have them on your right elbow, or wherever else they appear.

Derradji faces many challenges with his rare condition including the availability of the medication normally prescribed.  The limited availability of gluten free food is also something that makes dealing with DH in Algeria very difficult.  With all he is facing, Derradji is doing his best to connect with other DH patients as well as celiac patients both in his country and in other places.  He has found the CCA a reliable website for medical information about DH and the gluten free diet.  If you would like to reach out to him, his email is derradjizaarer@gmail.com.

For more information on DH, you can follow the link to the Canadian Celiac Association at https://www.celiac.ca/gluten-related-disorders/dermatitis-herpetiformis/

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 –

I feel like I say it every month, but it’s so very true – the gluten free diet is hard.  Something that kept going through my mind as I spoke to Derradji, but his situation takes “hard” to a different level.

Prior to speaking with Derradji, I had my regular conversation with Aaron from the Gluten Free Weigh In podcast.  Aaron only found out he was celiac about a year ago, while he was going through the program for weight loss surgery.  Since his surgery, Aaron has been dealing with the emotions and practicalities of eating for a very small stomach, as well as having to eat strictly gluten free.  Something he said to me, made me think, and hit me like a brick after my conversation with Derradji.  Aaron said something to the effect of “this is a great time to be celiac”, as he was looking back to realize only in the last ten or so years has gluten free been widely available in our grocery stores, and the awareness amongst our food producers, restaurants and government has just about kept up with our needs.

That perspective of this being a good time to be gluten free seemed to be in stark contrast to Derradji’s struggles for safe food, not to mention the lack of awareness at all levels in his society.  Aaron, of course is correct.  I’ve been celiac for more than 25 years, and it’s all so much easier now.  The best way I can rationalize the challenges Derradji faces are the stories I heard from celiacs when I was diagnosed.  The stories from years earlier when bread came in a can, labelling made it impossible to determine if something was gluten free, and the medical community treated celiac like some ultra rare condition they didn’t know how to deal with.

I’ve been doing a great of thinking after talking with Derradji.  We can’t now, not know about the struggles of those on a gluten free diet in other countries, just like we can’t not know about the struggles within our own communities when families can’t afford safe gluten free food.  The gluten free diet is hard, but we must acknowledge that it much harder for some.