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Dear List members,

I have already gotten many, many messages about people having similar problems
with family members and friends and I can't thank enough those people who took
the time to respond and send personal experiences to me.  It touches me that
so many people care.  Because of this, this summary is a bit long.

The first suggestion to keep me from getting frustrated was to keep trying to
educate people.  For example, since my mom says that my reaction to gluten
will "probably just go away", I could send her a copy of the book "Coping with
Celiac", available many places (for example, Amazon.com).  Some people thought
their families responded best to articles from doctors (for example, articles
from the Mayo Clinic or other well-known medical facilities) and others
thought it was better for their families to see news shows or read about
Celiac Disease in magazines (less scientific, more popular culture type of
thing).

Many Christian people (like me) wrote to say that God has shown Himself to
them in many great ways throughout their experience with CD and that the diet
itself and doctors who can help are gifts from Him.  I must say I agree and I
don't feel a need to be "cured"...I feel that I am, as long as I eat right.

Some people told me that they think parents feel somewhat guilty that their
child has a disease that is genetic and therefore deny that it's actually a
disease.  Many people have parents and friends who treat them as if they are
hypochondriacs or, in some cases, tell them they need to add bread products to
their diet in order to stay healthy!  Some are just offended because celiacs
eat very healthy foods and many are quite slim.  This makes "normal" people
feel guilty if they eat junk food and we say "no thank you".  We do have
quite a bit of self-control, which I don't think everyone takes the time to
develop.

Many people encouraged me to always talk about my diet in a positive way.
Instead of talking to my mom about how I couldn't have a cookie the other day
(which I wouldn't do anyhow, but this is just an example), I could mention how
great I'm feeling and the wonderful new recipes I've been making lately.

Also, I should realize that for family who didn't see me in pain every day
while I was will, this seems like a weird, flaky diet I just decided to go on
one day.  My mom and dad weren't around (my husband and I live in AZ, they
live in MN) when I was really ill with cramps and nausea and constipation and
horrible abdominal cramps, so she doesn't realize what a big deal it is to me.
I would probably be concerned, too, unless I read some literature and did some
research on my own (which she hasn't the time right now to undertake - unless
I research for her...which now I definitely will do!)

I'll write again if I get anything more that doesn't fit these categories.
These, I think encompass most of the responses I've gotten so far. I
appreciated every single one and loved the personal anecdote parts.  It
makes me feel normal and surrounded by people who understand and who want to
help.

Thanks again,

-Christie