"Hi, my name is Bianca (pictured above) and I am almost 12 years old. I was diagnosed with coeliac disease in August 2020. Throughout the whole of the year, I had small stomach aches. I didn’t think anything of it so I didn’t really make a big deal about it. I carried on as usual.

I was living surrounding myself with gluten! My mum and I did heaps of baking in lockdown last year with gluten flour. I also did a science project - all about bread. sourdough bread, moldy bread, the stages and ingredients of bread. Then one night in July 2020, I had such a bad stomach ache that my Mom and Dad had to take me to ShoreCare. My GP sent me for a blood test the next day - and the results came back as conclusive - I had coeliac disease.

A month ago, my intermediate school gave us the task of writing a speech. At first, I couldn’t think of anything tp talk about, but then I decided to make it all about coeliac disease - not just as a speech but to inform people too. I made it into the house team finals and I definitely informed many. As a result, my classmates are so kind now and make sure everything they eat inside is gluten-free and it makes me smile. When I go to my friends’ houses they make sure there are foods I can eat. I've been to 2 parties now where they catered for my GF needs too. Such an amazing feeling. Everyone goes out of their way to help me.

Some cafes and restaurants are coeliac safe, but unfortunately, some are not.  We just have to be prepared when going out.  Thank you Coeliac New Zealand for all the info around coeliac disease.

Here is the link to my speech if anyone is interested:
Presentation by Bianca Drever