Facing Discrimination with Celiac Disease and Food Allergies

Posted onAuthorCeltic Celiac5 Comments

Get ready, I’m going to get ‘Social Worky’ on you. Let’s talk about a topic many of us only talk about in school or when getting trained at work: Discrimination. While it exists in our world way too often, many of us grow up being told not to judge and discriminate people based on their looks. Most of us understand that discriminating against someone because they are Black,White, Asian, Male, Female, Transgender, wheelchair bound, Blue Eyed etc. But, I feel there is a misconception about discrimination.

A difference doesn’t need to be visual for it to be discriminated against. While most of us often also know that it is wrong to discriminate based on sexuality, religion, mental illness, non-obvious physical illness, and cognitive handicaps, these ‘silent differences’ are often overlooked when it comes to discussion of discrimination in our society. To me, just because a difference is obvious, doesn’t mean that it’s discrimination is any more hurtful on the individual than discrimination based on a covert difference. While some groups may encounter this issue more then others I believe it is imperative to tackle discrimination and stigmatization from a holistic perspective. To stop it dead in it’s tracks for everyone, but how?

The realm of Celiac Disease, Food Allergies and other food illness is the perfect stage for such a discussion. A recent article has sparked some discussion on the internet, and in my personal life, about the discrimination which faces those of us with Celiac Disease, Food Allergies and other food related illnesses. This article was a mother who brought her son with Celiac Disease and food allergies to a Pizza Hut in Oklahoma. She and her son were meeting with other local parents, so she got him McDonald food on the way there. However, after opening the item in the store AND discussing her son’s illness with the waitress and the manager they were promptly kicked out of the store for bringing in outside food.

As the mother says in the video attached to the like I posted, this is flat our discrimination. To take it a step further, this is discrimination against an individual with a disability. Many would say that our food related illnesses are not disabilities. However, a disability is defined as:

 

(a) a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities of such individual
(b) a record of such impairment; or
(c) being regarded as having such an impairment.” (P.L. 101-336, Sec. )

Given this definition, Celiac Disease and other food allergies fall into the category of being a disability. According to the American Disabilities Act is it unlawful and unjust to discriminate against someone because of their disability. This is why youth with food issues are allowed to have IEPs in the classroom.

However, this post isn’t about discrimination against disabilities alone but in general. While the above article is a shocking example of discrimination based on a covert illness, we encounter these experiences everyday. Looking at a girl with large breasts and saying she ‘isn’t smart’, making a racist joke after seeing a ‘bad asian driver’, smirking at a dumb answer someone says in class, or even looking at the one person in a group at outback who ordered the salad with a questionable glace. These are all forms of subtle discrimination.

Since food is social, and social almost always equals food, those of us with Celiac Disease, food allergies and other food illness often make our difference notable even when we do not want to. We are called ‘picky’, ‘frustrating to eat with’, ‘socially inconsiderate’ because we make our needs known and bring our own food. This video says it perfectly:

 

 

The stigmatization we feel as a result of our disease is no different then that which individuals of color may feel, although it may be less often and with less hatred. I know I for one feel isolated when I am rushed to go out, don’t have the change to eat because I feel we are going to someplace I can eat and we end up somewhere (such as a bar) where I can eat nothing… Our lives are altered because of these diseases, often leading to discrimination, even in jest, and stigmatization. As the video says we are stigmatized prior to diagnosis because we are ill, and after our diagnosis because of the way we need to keep ourselves healthy.

 So, what can we do to stop this discrimination? It’s all about breaking that vow of silence. Silence, in social work, can often be viewed as facilitating and continuing oppression. Think about it, the less you speak about what’s bothering you the less you share with others, and the less you share with others the less likely you are to be able to change your situation. Keeping silent perpetuates discrimination. So, open your mouth. Tell your friends you don’t appreciate their discriminatory jokes, share your thoughts when you are discriminated against and TELL YOUR STORY. The video above should be an inspiration to all of us with food illness to speak our minds and let the world know we don’t appreciate being treated poorly because we are different. What’s your story? Don’t hesitate to share it! 

One final note: My friend Jillian, is doing a great project on just this topic in respect to sexual abuse. You can check out her blog Feministarising if you are interesting in more information. It takes brilliant and strong minds to speak out on the topics they care about, and differences are make, like I said, by sharing your story!
Celtic Celiac @ http://celtic-celiac.blogspot.com/

5 thoughts on “Facing Discrimination with Celiac Disease and Food Allergies”

  2. Hey Dana, Thanks for following along and reaching out. I can for sure spread the word, your blog looks great! How.Who did your graphic? I am trying to get something similar for my blog. I’m going to follow you on facebook and twitter as well!

  3. I don’t know what it’s like to have Celiac Disease but I definitely relate to the girl in the video because I have a ton of food allergies. You are so right about subtle discrimination. I see it everywhere and it’s so upsetting.

  4. Thank you for the comment Camille, It can be very overwhelming but the important thing to remember is you can be your own advocate and have the right to stand up for yourself when you want to.

  5. Well said! I totally agree what they say in the video about food allergies or celiac being grouped into a ‘diet trend’. It is up to us to advocate and educate people on what it means to live with severe food related diseases.

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