First: this is NOT an attack on you AT ALL! But I have to say this, haha.
I think so many of these celebrities, even celebrity “doctors” are so ignorant but at the same time, I just don’t feel like getting so MAD about it and taking it so personally is an effective strategy. For me, I find the less I take personally, the happier I am. I’m all about educating people when I can, but I don’t expect anyone, ESPECIALLY celebrities, to be knowledgeable about any particular disease. I don’t expect them to be good role models or advocates for anything in particular. They’re just out to make money. Even when they are an advocate for something, it seems to be more of a PR thing than genuine care for a particular cause. It sucks, but it is what it is. I’d rather focus my energy on the small part of the world I can change – the people around me, my friends and family, restaurants I frequent, colleagues, etc. I’d rather know a restaurant changed their practices for dealing with Celiac or food allergic patrons because of me, than to know Rachel Ray apologized because she was forced into it. It’s so unlikely that Rachel Ray, even if she apologizes, will ever become an advocate for Celiac Disease.
I don’t know. I just get tired of all the negativity (I’m not suggesting you’re being negative; you’re being funny/punny in this post, both of which I appreciate!). To me, it’s just exhausting, self-defensive and requires over-identifying with a disease to get this fired up about it. There are celebrities who make ignorant and awful comments about far worse things than Celiac Disease. There are celebrities who DO far more ignorant and awful things than say people who eat gluten-free are picky. I get it, you and I aren’t picky – but let’s face it: unfortunately, a huge number of people who are eating gluten-free ARE being “picky” or trendy rather than doing it for medical reasons.
Hey Amanda, these are excellent points and I really appreciate you sharing your perspective. To be honest, getting diagnosed with a chronic illness has been the best thing to happen to my attitude in years. I feel positive, in control of my own health and happiness, and ready to spread the word. I also feel grateful to have a disease with so many funny-named words because I’ll never be at a loss for punny pick-me-ups.
In my opinion, there’s a time and a place for positive critique. Like you say, that’s when you’re able to make a difference, when you’re out and about in the world or talking to people you care about or visiting a restaurant you frequent. When people in those situations say dumb things, it’s important to breathe deep, put on your happy face, and calmly educate.
On the other hand, I am also of the firm belief that there’s a time and a place for whiny insults like “you suck,” and that’s when you’re talking about the latest dumb thing Rachel Ray wrote in a magazine. Or when you’re an innocent little fingerlike projection under attack by the very system intended to protect you. You’re just, like, “Now why’d you have to go and do that? That sucks.”
(But yes, celebs also do things that are way suckier. Matt Damon, for example, has been refusing to leave his wife for me for years.)
[…] McWhatsis’s behavior as a reflection on celiac sufferers in general. And, as Amanda has reminded me, celebrities have been known to do far worse things than any of the […]
Based on a Sprue Story 
First: this is NOT an attack on you AT ALL! But I have to say this, haha.
I think so many of these celebrities, even celebrity “doctors” are so ignorant but at the same time, I just don’t feel like getting so MAD about it and taking it so personally is an effective strategy. For me, I find the less I take personally, the happier I am. I’m all about educating people when I can, but I don’t expect anyone, ESPECIALLY celebrities, to be knowledgeable about any particular disease. I don’t expect them to be good role models or advocates for anything in particular. They’re just out to make money. Even when they are an advocate for something, it seems to be more of a PR thing than genuine care for a particular cause. It sucks, but it is what it is. I’d rather focus my energy on the small part of the world I can change – the people around me, my friends and family, restaurants I frequent, colleagues, etc. I’d rather know a restaurant changed their practices for dealing with Celiac or food allergic patrons because of me, than to know Rachel Ray apologized because she was forced into it. It’s so unlikely that Rachel Ray, even if she apologizes, will ever become an advocate for Celiac Disease.
I don’t know. I just get tired of all the negativity (I’m not suggesting you’re being negative; you’re being funny/punny in this post, both of which I appreciate!). To me, it’s just exhausting, self-defensive and requires over-identifying with a disease to get this fired up about it. There are celebrities who make ignorant and awful comments about far worse things than Celiac Disease. There are celebrities who DO far more ignorant and awful things than say people who eat gluten-free are picky. I get it, you and I aren’t picky – but let’s face it: unfortunately, a huge number of people who are eating gluten-free ARE being “picky” or trendy rather than doing it for medical reasons.
Okay, that’s the end of my rant 🙂
Hey Amanda, these are excellent points and I really appreciate you sharing your perspective. To be honest, getting diagnosed with a chronic illness has been the best thing to happen to my attitude in years. I feel positive, in control of my own health and happiness, and ready to spread the word. I also feel grateful to have a disease with so many funny-named words because I’ll never be at a loss for punny pick-me-ups.
In my opinion, there’s a time and a place for positive critique. Like you say, that’s when you’re able to make a difference, when you’re out and about in the world or talking to people you care about or visiting a restaurant you frequent. When people in those situations say dumb things, it’s important to breathe deep, put on your happy face, and calmly educate.
On the other hand, I am also of the firm belief that there’s a time and a place for whiny insults like “you suck,” and that’s when you’re talking about the latest dumb thing Rachel Ray wrote in a magazine. Or when you’re an innocent little fingerlike projection under attack by the very system intended to protect you. You’re just, like, “Now why’d you have to go and do that? That sucks.”
(But yes, celebs also do things that are way suckier. Matt Damon, for example, has been refusing to leave his wife for me for years.)
[…] McWhatsis’s behavior as a reflection on celiac sufferers in general. And, as Amanda has reminded me, celebrities have been known to do far worse things than any of the […]