Did you know that – at least here in the UK – people with coeliac disease may not join the police force or the armed forces?
I can understand the restriction on joining the armed forces. If they can’t guarantee provision of gluten free food in all situations, it wouldn’t be good for the health of the individual – or the morale and efficiency of their team – if they were glutened in the field.
But the police? Surely the police canteens could provide gluten free food …
There is a petition up at the Government’s E-petition site, so if you feel strongly about this, do go and sign it. You have to be a UK citizen or resident to do so, but I’d be interested to know what the situation was in other countries. Can you join the Army or the Police with celiac disease? What happens if you’re diagnosed after joining? And can you electronically petition your government on this or any other subject?
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Update
This is an old post. If any of you are coeliac and hoping to join the police, Home Office Guidelines are now that people with coeliac disease and good dietary management are likely to be deemed suitable, but that each application is judged on its own merits. It is still the case that people with coeliac disease may not join the armed forces in the UK. Again, if a member of the armed forces develops coeliac disease after joining, each case will be considered on its own merits.
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I can certainly understand not being able to be in the armed forces but I am with you on the Police. That is just discrimination. But hey look on the bright side at least your government knows what Celiac Disease is. In America I don’t think they have a clue.
Have a wonderful new years!
Wow- very unexpected. Thanks for sharing this…
-Sea
Help! I am newly diagnosed and need recipes badly. All I can seem to find is ones for cakes and biscuits and bread. I need “normal” recipes. Breakfast, lunch and dinners.
Anyone know any good websites?
Many thanks
Hi Karen – thanks for dropping by.
The reason that most of the recipes you can find are for cakes/biscuits and bread are because these are the most difficult to make gluten free at home, though there are so many great recipes around that even this is getting a lot easier.
Plain meat and fish will be gluten free, as will cheese (unless there are ‘bits’ in, which might be dodgy), beans and eggs. so protein isn’t difficult to find. Just watch for any processing that has happened (breaded ham, for instance) and any sauces will have to be checked.
I think you’re from the UK, Karen, based on your IP address … have you visited the messageboard? Have you registered with Coeliac UK?
Under the Newly Diagnosed heading in the column to the immediate right, there are a few posts aimed at newly diagnosed people to help you work out what you can/can’t eat. Just below are a list of other blogs, almost all of which contain recipes. Why not start with Gluten Free Mommy and Gluten Free Goddess and Book of Yum, all of which have savoury recipes near the top?
Good luck – and come back to let us know how you get on!
I’m currently serving in the air force and have been a Coeliac for 5 years, i’ve managed my diet very well and visit afghanistan and basra on a daily basis, i think its about time the government realise that being a Coeliac isn’t life threating and can be managed very well as i well know, i don’t understand why coeliacs can’t join the police or services when people with nut allergy’s, dairy free can!!!
Hi Nicky – how interesting to hear from someone in your situation. Are you UK air force? Were you diagnosed after joining or before?
And how well do the catering team cope with your diet?
I think this is ridiculous. Is it the case for other services too, like the fire service? My brother has been diagnosed recently and has been training to jion the fire service for years, could this end his hopes?
Hi Hannah
Thats a good question, and not one that the fire service website answers. Here’s a link that might be useful: http://www.fireservice.co.uk/recruitment/medical.php
They suggest contacting the local station and asking the Occupational Health officer.
I would hope it wouldn’t affect his chances – but then, I don’t see why it should matter about the Police service either. Please do let us know if you get a definite answer on this one!
I’m 20 years old and have been a coeliac for around 6 years. For the majority of my life my dream was to be an airman in the RAF, but that ended when I found out in the late stages of applying that I was not allowed to be in the forces because of a simple dietary need. This is very crushing for people in my situation because the ration packs are vegitarian, halal and kosher, but apparently can’t be made gluten free. I just hope that the Fire Service doesn’t have similar, outdated restrictions.
Hi Rob – how very frustrating for you…
If you find out what the Fire Service think about this, please do let us know. Their website still says ‘ask the division you want to join (http://www.fireservice.co.uk/recruitment/medical – note the URL above is now out of date)
I am currently in my 10th year of service for the Australian Army (rank of Corporal)and am being medically discharged because I have been diagnosed with Coeliac Disease. I am trying to fight on the grounds of discrimination as they do not discharge all sufferers, only those of the lower ranks and not Officers. It is a total disgrace.
How distressing for you. It certainly does sound discriminatory, though I’m not a lawyer… it would be really interesting to know how they can justify that. Do let us know how it goes
Along similar lines, my son has pancreatic colitis, which with dietary control can be managed, however he has been told by the police that he probably wont get in because if he’s off sick for a couple of days that would not be good for his colleagues….
He is a twenty year old lad who has been medically discharged from the army and is just trying to get ahead in life, I did not expect to have such discrimination in the Police service as well.
Hi Cliff – I’m sorry to hear about your son’s pancreatic colitis. It must be very frustrating for him, especially since there must be lots of reasons why someone might be ill for a couple of days.
What does he eat (or not eat!) to help with his pancreatic colitis?
I have Ben serving in the armed forces for over 25 years. I was diagnose with ceoliacs disease about 4 years ago. Although the military know I am about my condition as I am in receipt of gluten free products on prescription. They have not downfgraded me (yet) but I am aware that it may be coming and I may be discharged. I can pass all my mandated physical assessments and have deployed to many operational areas over the years. I am astounded that the MOD can cater for veggies, halal etc but refuse to cater for a gluten free diet. I will wait till they commence discharge before I see legal advice on this issue. I would be interested to hear from any other service personnel who have been discharged.
Hi Mono-ab – please do let us all know what happens. Are they catering for your gluten free diet at the moment?