Prior to Blythe’s diagnosis of being allergic to corn and egg, I was blissfully ignorant of the plight of the food allergic. Sure, I felt sympathy for all the label reading going on. But true empathy is only possible, I think, when you take on the responsibility of caring for a food allergic child.
To that end, I would love to share this article published in Family Magazine of Washington, and forwarded to me by the KFA Organization (KFA= Kids with Food Allergies). The article, titled Attack of the Killer Peanut Butter Sandwiches, focuses on peanuts in the lunchroom, but gives a great overall feel for what life is like for a food allergic child. Go read it – if you’re a parent, I promise you’ll be glad you did.
The more experience I gain having a child with food allergies, the more worried I get about her future. Right now, at 15 months, I control not only what Blythe eats but the environments in which she spends her time. I know for a fact that there are no allergens lurking around my home or that of my mother, where Blythe goes while I work.
But as she gets older, Blythe will be exposed to more people, places and things. That is a fact of life. The preschool she will eventually attend is already well aware of her allergies, and has some great policies in force to help us cope with them. But again, that is a very controlled environment, where I am confident she will be diligently watched every time food is present. I am also quite pleased with how meticulous they are about cleanliness – because we all know kids and crumbs go hand in hand.
However. The future holds elementary school, parties, play dates at other people’s homes and even airline travel and hotel stays, where I will have no idea what life-threatening allergens are hiding on the bed where she sleeps. After all, Blythe will only fit in the pack-n-play for so long.
It is with trepidation that I look forward, and it saddens me. Finally, I have a child who is happy to do things without my constant presence, and yet I cannot rest if she is not with me for fear of the phone call I might get.
No one wants that phone call – no mother deserves it.
5 replies on “A Little Food Allergy Discussion”
Try looking forward to the day when she is old enough to speak up and look out for her allergy all by herself (or at least when she’s not in your presence)
Keep telling people and educating! Other parents do care and would never want to hurt your baby, so the more you spread the word the safer she is. I would be terrified, you’re doing so well.
It must be very scary, especially with corn being in almost everything these days.
I have a friend whose son is highly allergic to cows milk and she says things are better now that he is older because he recognizes the symptoms of exposure himself and can tell somebody before he gets really sick. Also, at parties etc he always asks what is in the food automatically.
It can’t be easy, but as Christina said, at least it should get a little better later.
Hello,
I know how you feel. My son is allergic to soy,peanuts,eggs,wheat and dairy. I started a website, http://www.spewdfree.com where all the recipes are soy,peanut,egg,wheat and dairy free.
Thanks,
Heather
Good day! I’ve read your interesting article and I find it as one of my source information about allergy. Aside from being expose outside, for some reason allergy also may cause by the lifestyle of an individual. It may came from the place where you’ve been or the things with you, and the food you eat as well. Thanks for sharing this interesting article.