Dining at Disney

Just finished reading a blog post by Ginger Carter Miller (Gluten Free In Georgia and Florida) detailing her experience trying to get gluten free food at a conference in Illinois. It was bad. Very bad.
Just when I have hope for eating out with food intolerance/allergies comes a horror story. I don't eat out much any more. And sometimes I miss it.
This makes my memories of eating at Walt Disney World earlier this year even more special.
I wish I had taken a picture of every meal I ate and especially of every chef who came to our table and explained what I could eat and how they would accommodate me. They were amazing. I felt like I was the star of some wonderful new gluten free cooking show.They talked me through the menu or the buffet line. The chef at the 50's Prime Time Cafe said he would convert anything I wanted on the menu.
Even at the counter service establishments, the managers were knowledgeable and helpful. A chef from France made me gluten free waffles!! (In the shape of Mickey of course.) And that was at one of the Value Resorts.
So gluten free dining at Disney World is do-able and enjoyable! Now if only they could teach the rest of the continent how to do it....

10 Hours in Emerg

After 4 days of pain and 2 calls to a TeleHealth Nurse I finally went to emerg at 10pm. I was there for 10 hours but you won't hear a complaint from me. They treated me very well and really tried to find out what was wrong.
It was quiet and I had one of the "soup" books that a friend had just lent me: Chicken Soup for the Soul, Living Catholic Faith. Perfect reading: inspirational and easy.

The nurses seemed sure they knew what it was and were pleasantly preparing me physically and mentally. The Emerg Dr. and the blood work thought differently. He said something could be happening but nothing was showing up so best to follow up with the Family Dr.

A bland diet seems to keep the pain at bay.

I was impressed with the way each person I encountered spent extra time to connect even in the few minutes of each interaction. The triage nurse who talked about my food allergies, celiac and arthritis. The clerk who shared her easy experience getting a new health card downtown and the location of the parking lot. The nurse who took blood and opened up an IV insert, calling my right arm vein "juicy". I admired her skill.
Even the Dr who was busy with a serious burn case that needed transferring to London took a moment to look at what I was reading. He was being followed dutifully by a med student or intern who seemed painfully shy but extremely studious. The student nearly toppled over at his heels when the Dr doubled back to check again if I had been traveling recently.
I am left feeling grateful. Grateful I am not as sick as some I saw. And grateful that these professionals are only a short few minutes from my house when I need care in the middle of the night.
A bland diet's not so bad.

Jamie Pugh....Britain's Got Talent!

I'd be scared too!

See Jamie sing Bring Him Home.

They are already saying he may beat Susan Boyle. We'll see!