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Mary Courtney, a freelance writer from Los Angeles and a member of the Celiac
Disease Foundation, has agreed to be our reporter at CSA's annual conference in
Dallas. Here is her first report.
Thursday's Report, Oct. 3, 1996
CSA/USA Conference in Dallas, Texas
submitted by Mary Courtney
The official opening of the conference is Friday morning, but for
those who've never attended a conference for persons with Celiac
Disease (and that includes me), here's my "color commentary."
Today I met some big names in U.S. celiac circles: Bette Hagman, the
celiac chef extraordinaire; Jim Lyles, Celiac Listowner and Food List
Compiler; and Janet Rinehart, incoming president of CSA/USA. They are
already making plans for next year's conference which will take place
in Bette's home turf, the Great Northwest. About a third of the
schedule at a CSA/USA conference is the planning of future projects
and events, the forming of committees, and the cultivating of CSA
leaders from support groups across the country.
Today I sat and talked with some celiacs from the Midwest. One was
flipping through a recipe book, one was checking out the manufactured
food guide, and a third had just driven in from Nebraska. "What issues
are most important to celiacs in your area?" I asked. The consensus:
"Finding safe food from the store." They mentioned one big advance:
manufacturers' 800 numbers on packaging. After getting to know them a
little, I would add this to their priorities:"Finding recipes for
tasty and easy-to-bake GF bread." At a conference like this, the
question, "Do you bake your own bread?" is second only to squinting at
the small print on the other person's nametag and asking, "Where are
you from?"
I had a nice chuckle with the Nebraskan who'd driven to Dallas. We
were talking about how, when celiacs check in a hotel, they look like
lost campers carrying around their coolers (full of baked goods,
etc.).
When I mentioned the variety of discussion topics on the Celiac
Listserv, a Minnesotan said she was glad that there are folks who are
discussing issues like food labeling and medical research. A couple of
CSA leaders were delighted to learn that you can get a taste of the
discussion via the Newsgroup, or by requesting files from the
Archives.
I hope to interview President-Elect Janet Rinehart of Houston (one of
our very own listmembers). In the meantime, I'll leave you with some
of her good wishes for the future of CSA.
Janet Rinehart: "I am excited about the prospect of becoming President
of CSA/USA. . . . I believe I can make a difference and improve the
feelings of confidence in CSA, with the help of the Governing Board. I
have a lot of common sense, believe in the goals of CSA, and care a
great deal about helping celiacs and DH'ers on their journey to good
health. No one person has all the answers. It takes assistance from
many committed people . . . . I also believe we can learn from each
other, and I want to be in friendly contact with all of the celiac
organizations."
Tomorrow: Drs. Fine, Kingsbury, Dahl, and Schiller.
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