Thank you for taking the time to visit my fundraising page on iDonate.ie

I'm taking part in VHI Women's Mini Marathon 2024.

This is a 10km run taking place in Dublin, Ireland on the 2nd of June. I've chosen to fundraise for Coeliac Society of Ireland. All funds raised here will go directly to this great cause.

As many of you already know, our daughter, Caragh, was diagnosed with Coeliac Disease at the beginning of last November (2023). She was just 2yrs and 3months old. We had spent many months leading up to this moment completely confused and worried for her as her health deteriorated before our eyes. Caragh was malnourished and losing weight rapidly by October. Eventually she stopped walking altogether and stopped standing and sitting independently. She was sad and tired all of the time. Six doctor visits, two to the local hospital and to no avail. 

We were eventually referred to Cork University Hospital where they admitted her immediately, majorly concerned with her weight loss and lack of walking. Caragh underwent every kind of test. MRI, lumber puncture (twice), x-rays, whole body ultra sound, etc. Until the results of all her blood tests came trickling in. The Coeliac one being one of the last. Our consultant and neurologist diagnosed Caragh with a rare side effect of Coeliac Disease called gluten ataxia. When the gluten attacks a part of your brain. This was why she’d stopped walking. 

We were a total of 12 days in hospital. Two weeks after Caragh’s discharge and two weeks into the gluten free diet, she walked again. 

Her recovery is going really well and she’s back running circles around the kitchen again! 

The thought of taking her home from the hospital and feeding her was scary. We didn’t know where to start. There is gluten in - what seems like - everything and the cross contamination made us very nervous. We learned of the Coeliac Society of Ireland in the hospital and joined their community immediately. Their food list has made this transition one million times easier as it shows us exactly what Caragh can eat from almost every shop in Ireland. I was able to fully educate myself from their webinars and articles. I learned that Caragh needed her own toaster, chopping board, butter, hand towels, etc. and how to keep our kitchen safe for her. They encourage you to be in touch if you have any questions or need clarification on anything which is what I did on a weekly basis in the beginning. Additionally, they offer their own dietitian services which we availed of, linking in with Sarah Keogh, one of Ireland’s leading Coeliac dietitians. We have been so blessed to have access to this community and it has been our guiding light during this challenging transition. It’s an honour to be raising funds for them. 

We’d be more than grateful for any kind of donation. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts. 

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Many thanks for your support.

Read more about VHI Women's Mini Marathon 2024