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The Price of Bananas (by Tanja)


 






I’m not a person who often feels depressed. On the contrary, I’m a pretty well-balanced person, even if I must say so myself. I was always the one in our family who kept the equilibrium and tried to make sure everyone was happy(ish). Yes, it was exhausting at times (especially when it came to Danie), but someone had to do it. Pick me, pick me!!

If you want to see me depressed, however, watch me coming out of the shop. When did everything become so expensive? I mean, just the basics, nothing fancy. Have I been living under a rock? Onions, tomatoes, potatoes and even bananas (Danie’s favorite fruit) have become so overpriced. It’s ridiculous!

With Danie having Celiac Disease (yes, it’s real), everything must be Gluten-free. No bread, no pasta, no pizza (which he hates anyway) and just about every other processed food on the shelf. My eyesight isn’t what it used to be and I find myself squinting and adjusting the distance of items so that I can check the labels. But not only the labels, the prices too. In our current situation we can't afford any luxuries, but everything “gluten-free” comes with a luxurious price tag.

A compromised digestive system (which also means a compromised immune system) is just another item on Danie’s list of ailments, most of which tag onto lifelong Type 1 Diabetes. Talk about getting a raw deal – paying the price for an electrical accident (at the tender age of ten) for the rest of his life.

But what is Celiac Disease? For those of you who are unfamiliar with this condition, here’s the explanation in a nutshell:

“An immune reaction to eating gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Over time, the immune reaction to eating gluten creates inflammation that damages the small intestine's lining (i.e. the villi in the small intestine), leading to medical complications. It also prevents absorption of some nutrients (malabsorption). The classic symptoms are diarrhoea or constipation. Other symptoms include bloating, wind, fatigue, low blood count (anaemia) and osteoporosis. Many people have no symptoms. The mainstay of treatment is a strict gluten-free diet that can help manage symptoms and promote intestinal healing. Treatment can help, but this condition can't be cured and can lead to malnutrition if left untreated.”


Celiac Disease is more common in people:

  •  Whose ancestors came from Europe
  •  Who are white (sounds like discrimination)
  •  Who have type 1 diabetes
  •  Who have other autoimmune diseases
  •  Who have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  •  Who have Down syndrome


Well done Danie – five out of six! Number six was pretty close though :) Not a walk in the park, hey Danie? Especially these last few years.

All I can say is thank goodness for doctor Google! The age of information is absolutely amazing, but at the same time the medical profession’s worst nightmare. I love being able to check facts, find natural remedies and make the necessary changes according to my research. I have had a headbutt or two with doctors, especially when it came to diagnosing that Danie had Celiac Disease. The doctor insisted that he had Motor Neurone Disease, but I kept reminding him that Danie had been suffering with IBS most of his adult life. He flat bang ignored me. Arrogant pompous windbag. Thankfully there are some really amazing doctors who are more open-minded and willing to listen.

At the end of the day, we learn as we go and also learn to take every day, every challenge, every disease and every disability as it’s handed to us by the universe, and somehow, not sure how, but somehow we manage to cope. Cope, yes.

I just can't get over the price of bananas??

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Location: Western Cape, South Africa

Comments

Bertus Oosthuizen said…
I have no doubt that these atrocities to force unfair prices down on people will soon come crashing down on this unfair economic situation . It happened many times before in the history of economic practises and it will happen again . Malls will become desolated monuments of greed failures .
Be kind and enjoy real peace !
February 20, 2024 at 9:29 AM
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