Atlantic Crossing
Missing: 2,700,000 Americans
Undiagnosed with Celiac Disease
Michele Wallick is sailing 7,000 nautical miles across the South Atlantic to raise funds for awareness of the estimated 2,700,000 undiagnosed Americans with Celiac Disease. Celiac Disease is a genetic autoimmune disease wherein a person’s immune system attacks the lining of their intestines and requires a life-long gluten free diet.
All donations will be used to create and distribute an educational package for general medical practitioners. This educational package will leverage previously developed educational material from the research expertise of University of Maryland’s Center for Celiac Research and the gluten free community network of the Gluten Intolerant Group of North America. Because the symptoms of Celiac Disease are so common and often different for each individual, it is difficult for a general practitioner to diagnose or even recommend a referral to a gastrointestinal doctor. This educational package will guide the general practitioner through the steps needed to recognize and diagnosis Celiac Disease.
Michele received her Celiac “genetic marker” from her father who battled with intestinal cancers for the last ten years of his life. As many Americans with intestinal problems, he was never tested for Celiac Disease. If these Americans continue to go undiagnosed, then depression, osteoporosis, infertility and even the possibility of fatal cancer could result. Typical symptoms include severe constipation, bloating, diarrhea and headaches to name a few. When Michele ingests gluten, even a small crumb, there is an autoimmune reaction that makes her very sick and in bed for about two days. This reaction causes damage to the “villa” in her upper intestines which can increase her chances for cancer and malnutrition because nutrients cannot be extracted from the food. Michele was diagnosed with Celiac Disease in December 2006 which requires her to eat a strict gluten free diet for the rest of her life. There are approximately 300,000 people already diagnosed with Celiac Disease in the United States.
Gluten is a composite of proteins found in wheat, barley and rye. It’s often easy for people to imagine living without bread, pasta, beer, cereal and processed food as we know it. However, the difficult aspect is the hidden gluten and cross contamination. The FDA does not require gluten to be labeled on the ingredients list which makes it extremely difficult to purchase food. Hidden gluten is often found in flavorings and is used as a thickener, stabilizing agent or emulsifier in many processed foods such as condiments and marinades. Cross contamination can occur during the manufacturing process, through grills with previous gluten items, toasters, knives or cutting boards with gluten crumbs, fryers with breadcrumbs or spatulas and spoons with gluten from another food. Imagine how difficult it is to eat at a friend’s house or in a restaurant dealing with ignorance of hidden gluten and cross contamination. Even though a gluten free diet can be extremely challenging, Michele’s diagnosis has not slowed her down or restricted her travel.
Michele and her husband Greg will be picking up a sailing catamaran in Cape Town, South Africa, in December. Their journey will begin by provisioning their boat with enough food for the six to eight weeks of the approximately 7,000 nautical mile South Atlantic crossing. They will explore the western coast of South Africa before they sail toward the British Colony of St. Helena, an isolated island in the middle of the Atlantic. There are no flights into St. Helena and you can only reach the island by anchoring your boat and requesting a local shuttle boat pick you up to come ashore. After leaving St. Helena, they will navigate toward the tropical volcanic Brazilian islands of Fernando de Noronha.
As you might image, eating gluten free becomes your lifestyle and is an integral part of you and your family. Unfortunately, diagnosis often severely restricts vacations and even normal social activities. If you are determined to live your life to the fullest, then there are plenty of gluten free solutions and a network of local and national support groups that are waiting to help you. Michele believes there is a gluten free solution for every situation and has inspired many from her travel articles and discussions regarding gluten free creativity. Attitude is her key to success.
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