I recently gave a presentation on this topic for North Merrick School District's SEPTA Meeting. At the request of members in the Friends Helping Friends Food Allergy Support Group on Facebook, here is my recap. My daughter with food allergies had her very first reaction at 14 months old, after eating a bite of her…Read more Navigating Halloween with Food Allergies
What Can We Do & Learn from the Latest Tragedy?
I’m sure many of you have seen this story over the past several days. Another terrible tragedy for our entire community: the loss of 15 year old, Natasha Ednan-Laperhouse, due to undeclared sesame found in a baguette. As a nurse, I try to review these cases, in a way to learn from them. For me, it's one…Read more What Can We Do & Learn from the Latest Tragedy?
Calling All Nurses: 5 Ways to Take Better Care of Your Food Allergic Patients. {Please & Thank You!}
I'm writing this as both a registered nurse who works for an allergist, and also as a food allergy and EOE mom with over a decade of experience. Nurses are caregivers, teachers, advocates, scientists, artists, healers and problem solvers. The ironic part is, so are food allergy moms! Nurses, my Food Allergy Mamas need your…Read more Calling All Nurses: 5 Ways to Take Better Care of Your Food Allergic Patients. {Please & Thank You!}
Pause in the Wake of The Peter Rabbit Movie Backlash
"Why do our children have to suffer because of special children like your's?" "Allergies Smallergies, these kids need the protein!" "Can you have M&M's? Well, my daughter can, she's not as allergic as you!" "It would be easier if you just stayed home!" "You're overreacting!" "You're too sensitive!" "Get a life!" "They need to learn…Read more Pause in the Wake of The Peter Rabbit Movie Backlash
Just Keep Swimming
For those of you who follow me on social media, you will often see my mantra from Finding Nemo, "Just Keep Swimming!" or a little fish emoji. What in the world does this have to do with parenting a food allergic child? Everything. Disclaimer: I do not work for Disney Pixar. I am simply a big fan…Read more Just Keep Swimming
Camp TAG (The Allergy Gang)
I asked my almost 11 year old her favorite thing about Camp TAG. Her response, "I feel free!" She feels free. What a tremendous gift, the gift of freedom. My 13 year old with EOE says there are no questions as to why she can't eat certain foods. What a relief! For one week of…Read more Camp TAG (The Allergy Gang)
“They Need to Learn How to Live in the Real World!”
"They need to learn how to live in the real world!" How many parents of food allergic children have heard this line? It drives me crazy. I've heard this during numerous food allergy conversations. While it *can* come from a place of concern, rather than a place of, "Your child is ruining all of the…Read more “They Need to Learn How to Live in the Real World!”
