<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>> Recently there was a post that made a remark that "people with special diets are rude to ask that others meet their dietary needs". This was in reference to airplane meals, but seem to imply a blanket statement. As this forum is a support network, I want to take this opportunity to explore that concept. As a person with Celiac sprue, I understand that ultimately, it is my responsibility to ingest only GF foods. I also feel it is our responsibility to enlighten others who may not be aware, and help them understand how to help us with this necessary medical diet. If we simply remain on the sidelines of life not actively trying to participate in a social awareness of this disease, we don't have much of a chance of getting the FDA to comply, or airlines/restaurants trying to meet the need. In the book "Against the Grain", in the chapter entitled "Attitude, Attitude, Attitude.", Jax writes: "Never trivialize your problem (Celiac disease) or allow others to do so. The word "just" no longer exists for you. Never use this sloppy little adverb to present your problem to the world. I'm referring to the popular usage, "Oh it's just a little grain problem" or "It's just an allergy", When you speak this way, you are belittling the importance of your problem, and it is a cue for others to do the same. Words such as "just, only, and merely", fly in the face of all that you are. Whenever you use them, you are begging the listener to turn off and not take you or your request seriously. Habits like this are tough to break because something in your background is telling you-you don't deserve the full attention of others, that your problems are not as important as theirs. Developing a new attitude means developing a new response to old cues. People will tell you how lucky you are that it's "just" (there's that word again) a diet and nothing worse. Here are some stock answers that will let others know you are not a person to be dismissed and will leave you feeling a whole lot better for having stood up for yourself. If someone is rude and/or dumb enough to say, "You know, you really should feel lucky it's just an allergy, and not something worse," match the punishment with the crime: a. Maybe I will at some point, but right now this is really tough for me. b. I'll let you know when I do. c. Why don't you try my diet for a week, then tell me how lucky you feel Jax goes on to recommend that you pick your situations carefully- this conversation may be inappropriate in certain circumstances. From here on in, you have to participate in the process. The adjustment to this new interactive eating can be daunting. The bottom line- you can no longer sit back and be served." The sharing of information regarding Celiac disease requirements, with chefs, airline food services, pharmacists etc..... is the road we are now paving. I shudder to think any of us would be satisfied to go on indefinately in the current mode with inadequate labeling, and in 1996 being handed a phone number by your pharmacist for YOU to call the manufacturer and investigate the inert ingredients to see if they are GF, while a National Database exists for active ingredients. We can accept these shoddy practices or we can insist that this is not acceptable. I am not saying we need to be militant about it, but that those of us with Celiac sprue have as much right to request these basic services as those with more "popular" or well known diseases as diabetes, heart disease, or high cholesterol. I just want people to stand tall, and stand firm in the wake of Celiac diagnosis. European countries are way ahead of the US in accomodating the C(o)eliac requirements. Our united solidarity in requesting that specific needs be met, no matter how "inconvenient" for the rest of (the wheat laden) society, is a common courtesy for our everyday well-being, and the enlightenment of those who do not have Celiac disease. Bring your own GF food on the airplane trip, but do order a GF meal & let them know if they got it right. Smile while you hand back that phone number to the Pharmacist & tell them you expect THEM as licensed vendors of pharmaceutical drugs, to verify if it is gluten free. If the chef sends you a salad with wheat croutons, send it back. Know that you are doing this for yourself, and others who follow. Yes you are responsible for yourself, but we are all helping each other when we take these assertive steps. Thank you in advance for all that do.