Crossed Grain

SUPPORTER NEWS | 3 Across the UK, we have hundreds of dedicated volunteers running events in their local community. Events offer the chance to meet others, share experiences and information, have fun and eat lots of delicious gluten free food! We caught up with Belfast Group committee member, Kathryn Edgar, to find out what Coeliac UK means to her. Q. Can you tell us about your diagnosis journey? A. Life was really hard before I got my coeliac disease diagnosis – even leaving the house was difficult. I knew about the condition because my mother was diagnosed in 1977, but back then no one thought about testing the rest of the family. I experienced IBS for many years and had trouble getting pregnant – at the time I didn’t understand that these symptoms related to the condition. Something had to change – I thought “normal people don’t live like this”. Q. How important was Coeliac UK to you in those early days? A. When my diagnosis came in 2011, I signed up as a member straight away. Fortunately, there was a lot more help available than in the 70s. My mother had to preorder flour from the chemist and the bread was not good! Coeliac UK’s app and directory helped me avoid getting caught out by foods I didn’t know contained gluten, and I love to hear about the research being done and the work going on to improve things for the whole community. Q. Tell us a bit about what you do as a volunteer? A. I’ve been a volunteer with the Belfast group for six years – after I joined, I went to a group meeting and ended up on the committee! I arrange coffee mornings and welcome new people. The group is a great place for community, for sharing information and for being with people who are just like you. Q. What is your favourite part of volunteering for us? A. We organise gluten free fine dining events at Ulster University’s hospitality and catering department. It’s great to be able to invite people who need to live gluten free to a fine dining experience, in a venue where they know they will be safe. Kathryn’s story Q. Things have changed a lot for people with coeliac disease, but what further progress would you like to see? A. If there is one thing I’d really like to see change, it would be more gluten free food options in hospitals. When I went for my endoscopy to find out if I had coeliac disease, I was offered toast! One of the staff gave up their own lunch so I could have a banana and a yoghurt. I’d also like to see more gluten free options on menus for those with coeliac disease when eating out. I love going out for a scone – but sometimes I have to take my own. Q. What would you like to say to all the supporters, members and volunteers of Coeliac UK? A. Thank you to all the people out there who do so much to raise funds and awareness, especially those who take on incredible challenges like marathons, and the young people and teens supporting others in the community. There’s such a range of talents! If Kathryn has inspired you to get involved take a look at our volunteer opportunities here: www.coeliac.org.uk/volunteer Enter online at www.coeliac.org.uk/raffle or call the Raffle hotline on 01628 511 708 Over 18s only, UK residents only, T&Cs apply. Concerns about gambling too much? Visit begambleaware.org This raffle is only open to United Kingdom residents (this excludes Isle of Man, Channel Islands and BFPO addresses according to the Gambling Act 2005 regulations). Our Christmas Raffle is now open! Play today for a chance to win £10,000 just in time for Christmas Scan me to play