Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/509499
maltatoday, SUNDAY, 10 MAY 2015 17 and all her extended family a lot of learning – we started this journey together and have been on it ever since, and although it is not easy, we manage quite well." Daniela explained that it is hard to sometimes ensure that her daugh- ter doesn't feel she has to 'miss out' on anything that her friends are do- ing. "The thing that upsets Sophia most is probably not being able to eat any of her friends' birthday cake (unless of course they are gluten free)," she said, adding that she had eliminated gluten from her own diet as a sign of respect towards her daughter. "In this way I can understand ex- actly what she is going through and ensure that she feels secure know- ing I'm on the journey with her," she said. Prof. Attard also commented on the importance of those who have coeliac disease leading a gluten free life, since once someone is diag- nosed, they can never re-develop a tolerance to gluten. "Avoiding gluten is the only known way to avoid the symptoms. Although research is on-going to try and find vaccines that can re- build tolerance, so far, none of them has been confirmed as truly effective," Attard said. Daniela added that the change was by far not the end of the world. "I immediately joined the local as- sociation that represents coeliacs, who were very helpful and gave me a lot of information, including very good gluten free recipes. I also started following informative in- dependent coeliac Facebook pages and the first ever Maltese blog/ website on the subject which was set up by a coeliac sufferer herself." Daniela pointed out that the largest part of the struggle about coeliac disease is the ongoing need for awareness. Having recog- nised the need for more awareness the Allens decided to help raise the profile of coeliac awareness in Mal- ta through their company Narra- tive Structures (PR Firm) and they invited a world expert on Coeliac Disease and Gluten intolerance to Malta, Prof. Stefano Guandalini who delivered two talks last week (one for doctors and another for the public). The events were organised with the support of many, includ- ing the President's Foundation for the Wellbeing of Society and the Italian Cultural Institute. "We believe there has to be a national approach and social con- sciousness about conditions such as these. Coeliac disease is not an allergy as many people often think, it's a chronic illness and an autoim- mune condition that needs to be taken seriously. Education is key," Daniela said. She added that Sophia had partic- ipated in the preparation of these two talks by Prof. Guandalini and that she was eager to get the mes- sage across as she understands what it means to need help and support. "Together with her other two younger siblings she already helps people understand what it means to live a gluten free life." "We are not alone in this bat- tle, throughout this journey we have met many wonderful people; coeliacs themselves, doctors and parents to coeliac children. We all share the same anguish and frustra- tions and we are all striving to make this world a better place. Through this venture my family and I are confident that indeed we did make a difference, not for ourselves but for the benefit of society at large," she explained. Daniela spared a final comment to stress the importance of shifting the focus onto inclusion and not al- lowing situations such as these to create social barriers. The need for awareness becomes increasingly clear in view of the fact that one percent of the global population is believed to have coe- liac disease. Attard explained that in Malta alone, some 1,400 people were receiving benefits for gluten intolerance, but actual numbers were expected to be higher. "Having to buy gluten free prod- ucts is very costly, and although the monthly €30 vouchers are helpful, a lot more needs to be done for those suffering from the disease," Attard said. Asked whether the disease was attributed to anything other than genetics, Attard explained that some studies suggested localities as a possible explanation, with people from Far Eastern countries espe- cially having very few incidences of the disease, but this could be attrib- uted to their starch-based diet. News Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 ANNOUNCEMENT European Regional Development Fund and Cohesion Fund The Managing Authority for Cohesion Policy 2014-2020 in Malta, the Planning and Priorities Co-ordination Division (PPCD) within the Ministry for European Affairs and Implementation of the Electoral Manifesto (MEAIM), would like to announce that it is launching a call for project proposals, to be undertaken by Ministries, Government Departments, Central Government Authorities and the Public Sector Companies. This Call will close on 11 th September 2015 at noon and will contribute to the priority axes and investment priorities listed below: Priority Axis 3 – 'Enhancing Malta's competitiveness through investment in SMEs' ! Investment Priority 3d – Supporting the capacity of SMEs to grow in regional, national and international markets, and to engage in innovation processes. Priority Axis 4 – 'Shifting towards a low-carbon economy' ! Investment Priority 4a – Promoting the production and distribution of energy derived from renewable sources. Priority Axis 5 – 'Protecting our environment - investing in natural and cultural assets' ! Investment Priority 6c – Conserving, protecting, promoting and developing natural and cultural heritage. Priority Axis 11 – 'Investing in TEN-T infrastructure' ! Investment Priority 7i – Supporting a multimodal Single European Transport Area by investing in the TEN-T. Additional guidance is available online on http://eufunds.gov.mt/opencalls (PPCD section). The online application form for the submission of project proposals and detailed Guidance Notes will be available later on in May on http://eufunds.gov.mt/opencalls. Prospective applicants are encouraged to refer to Operational Programme I available on the above link and the Guidance Notes in order to check whether their proposals are eligible for funding through this call for project proposals. Information sessions are being organised for prospective applicants. Applicants are invited to enrol by filling in a registration form (available on http://eufunds.gov.mt/opencalls) by 27 th May 2015 at noon. The dates and subjects of the sessions are as follows: 2 nd June (general overview); 16 th June (how to apply online); 23 rd June (how to plan a project proposal); 30 th June (how to implement a project proposal). Additional sessions may be organised depending on requests received. Further information and generic queries on this call and on the European Structural and Investment Funds 2014-2020 may be obtained from www.eufunds.gov.mt or from PPCD's Email Helpdesk: info.ppcd@gov.mt. Operational Programme I – Cohesion Policy 2007-2013 Investing in Competitiveness for a Better Quality of Life Advert part-financed by the European Union European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) Co-financing rate: 85% EU Funds; 15% National Funds Investing in your future Investing in your Future Facts on Coeliac Disease Coeliac disease is an autoimmune disease caused by intolerance to gluten, not a food allergy. Gluten is a protein found in wheat, rye and barley. Some people with coeliac disease are also sensitive to oats. Damage to the gut lining occurs when gluten is eaten. Coeliac disease affects at least 1 in 100 people in Europe; however, only about 24% of people with the condition are clinically diagnosed. The average time to have the disease diagnosed from the onset of symptoms is13 years. Sources of gluten include breads, pasta, flours, cereals, cakes and biscuits. Gluten is often used as an ingredient in many favourite foods such as fish fingers, sausages, gravies, sauces, stock cubes and soy sauce. There is no cure for the condition; the only treatment is lifelong adherence to a strict gluten-free diet. If a gluten-free diet is not adhered to, the disease can ultimately lead to malnutrition, osteoporosis, cancer of the small bowel and also cause infertility problems. Gluten-free food can be contaminated by breadcrumbs in toasters, jam, butter, on knives, breadboards and other utensils. Sufferers in Malta are eligible for vouchers redeemable against gluten free products. Coeliac disease runs in families; studies show that if a family member has the condition, there is a 1 in 10 chance of a close relative developing the disease. People who think they have Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) may actually have undiagnosed coeliac disease. People with coeliac disease cannot join the armed forces. Dermatitis herpetiformis (DH) is the skin presentation of coeliac disease. If you suspect that you suffer from coeliac disease discuss symptoms with your GP who can take a simple blood test to check for antibodies. A lifelong struggle