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It is time for us to stop scolding Ayn for bringing up an important
issue--the quality of life for celiacs.

Ayn does not need to be trained in how to eat at a restaurant--I'm sure that
she already knows about that. Her concerns are much deeper than that.

No matter how good an attitude you maintain, a diagnosis of celiac disease
will change your life in important ways. We must work harder for our food,
both in terms of money and time. We must devote more effort to protecting
our health and defending ourselves from harmful foods put in our way. These
demands affect our relationships with others. We need support and tolerance
from our family and friends, and some people are not prepared to provide
those benefits.

We are not helping new celiacs by pretending that life will be easy. We need
to help them to cope with the many practical problems, and the occasional
hurts, while assuring them that the rewards for their efforts will be great.

Ayn has done a service to the list by engaging us in an important
discussion. We may not agree with everything that she says, but let's stop
criticizing her for her courage in confronting this issue.

Margaret