<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Listmates, 

The Americans with Disabilities Act (A.D.A.) clearly states that disability means a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of individual. Major life activities are defined as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working. 

My son (a teenager) has a severe physical disability due to a congenital birth defect. He cannot walk and has no sitting balance and uses a power wheelchair with a custom seating system. He is significantly and permanently disabled and every aspect of his life is substantially limited due to the nature and severity of his disability. He needs assistance with almost every major life activity. 

My brother also has celiac disease PLUS serious complications from the
disease. He has seizures and peripheral neuropathy, in other words permanent nerve damage. He can no longer feel hot or cold, can't walk and uses a wheelchair. His optic nerve was also damaged and he is visually impaired. Before the neuropathy struck, he never considered himself disabled.
Now he is significantly and permanently disabled and every aspect of his life is substantially limited due to the nature and severity of his physical disability. He needs assistance with almost every major life activity. 

As a women with "just" celiac disease I would never in a million years even consider myself disabled in any way. I just eat a healthy gluten free (and by choice vegetarian) diet. My diagnosis adds another layer of complexity to my life but it does not limit any major life activities.  
   
Does celiac disease (without complications) substantially limit one or more of the major life activities?  Are you still capable of caring for yourself, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning and working? Do you honestly think having celiac disease or being on a gluten free diet is something that should be covered under the A.D.A?   

No replies to my emails are necessary. I'm just asking you ponder my questions. As an advocate for my son and brother who are both significantly and permanently disabled I admit I may be a little sensitive to the celiac and A.D.A. issue but it's important to understand who the law is intended to provide protection for and what the law defines as a major life activity. Thank you for allowing me to vent.  

Joyce from
New Jersey

* Please remember some posters may be WHEAT-FREE, but not GLUTEN-FREE *