Running For Emily

Hi, my name is Pete and my six year old daugther Emily is coeliac. She was diagnosed just after her third birthday. At the time we didn't know what the problem was. We were concerned as she was extremely pale, very lethargic and seemed to alway be either constipated or have an upset tummy. We were really lucky as our GP was really switched on and Emily was quickly diagnosed with coeliac disease.

Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disorder caused by an intolerance to gluten. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley and some people with coeliac disease have an intolerance to oats. 1 in every 100 people is believed to have this condition however it is very under and mis diagnosed. The symptoms are often very similar to Irritable Bowel Syndrome. There is no known cure and is manged by a very strict 'gluten free' diet.

We are now 'experts' in reading ingriedient labels and managing cross contamination issues in the kitchen. Three years on and it still amazes me that we get the majority of Emily's staple food items such as bread, pasta and pizza bases from the chemist and she has her own toaster!

We are really lucky to have a very good friend who is brilliant at gluten free baking. She has made Emily some lovely birthday cakes and cakes for her to take to parties. I was really upset one day when Emily was at nursery. Another child had brought in a chocolate birthday cake and Emily was given a banana to eat instead as the cake contained gluten. Come on, chocolate cake or banana - which would you choose? I know Emily sometimes feels upset and frustrated because she cannot eat the same yummy things as her friends. We do get items such as cakes and biscuits from the 'free from' ranges at supermarkets but to be honest, the choice is very boring and aimed at adults.

We started our 'gluten free' life three years ago and during this time the help, advice, support and education we have had from Coeliac UK has been great. Emily and the family are now confident at managing her condition. I am running the London Marathon on 22nd April 2012 to raise funds for Coeliac UK, to help them to continue to promote awareness and understanding in the food and catering industry and to fund medical research into this condition. I would love to one day see a cure for this condition which is still very misunderstood.

My training is going well despite the cold winter mornings!! The papers today said the UK is expecting 'Artic weather conditions with temperatures as low as -11. Now that is not conducive to marathon training! The thermal running tights my wife bought me for Christmas were a very welcome present but Emily keeps telling me my bum looks big in them - that's gratitude for you!! Anyway, the marathon is only eleven weeks away and I've new running shoes to break in................

We hope you'll agree that Peter is running for a fantastic cause so if you'd like to support him you can donate via his website www.justgiving.com/petemcaleny