Thank you again to everyone who has been supporting my son, Cyrus, on his journey to speak up and out about food allergy exclusion and segregation. He participated last week in the Nevada Student Speaker Competition with high hopes of winning a TEDx University speaking spot. Even though his advocacy journey began at age seven–he was still a”product” of his family. Meaning, he happily advocated along side mom. Now, he is on his own, using his own words, thoughts and goals. I kept my lips together and never knew exactly what he had planned on presenting. I did not even know what he was going to wear. This was really hard to do since I get heat from several others regarding how much they help their children with homework, competitions, etc. This week, the Sage Brush published a story about the event. Cyrus was the only other speaker discussed beside the winner, Juan, who was amazing and deserved to win hands down. A smile appeared on my face when I read the words “food activist” to describe Cyrus in addition to another student remarking that this event brings up topics others don’t normally talk about…like allergies. He is becoming who he is! I am constantly telling him, BE WHO YOU ARE. This is my mantra.
I just love this photo so much! Thank you Sage Ridge School for taking it.
Opportunity Comes Knocking. He did not win that spot and that door closed. BUT…as my pal, food allergy educator and advocate, Gina Minnett Lee, reminded me: when one door closes another opens. She was right! The next morning, he received a note from a very respected TEDx organizer complimenting him on his work and encouraging Cyrus to “refine your “big idea worth spreading” and continue to pursue delivering a TEDx talk..” as he invited him to apply in May for the next TEDx opportunity (not the student speaker event!). Then organizers at TEDx Reno also suggested Cyrus apply for their TEDx while a local Rotary asked him to come speak at their meeting. Not to mention a request for a magazine article! Cyrus did a great job but he did not finish strong. There were over 750 college students at the event. He was unaware that the competition was part of Homecoming celebrations at the University of Nevada, Reno campus and I think maybe nerves played a role that he cut his talk down short.
Nevertheless, the Food Allergy Advocacy Journey has begun for Cyrus.
One day, someone referred to me as an activist. I then tried to explain that activists carry signs or row boats out into oceans. It never occurred to me that I was actually advocating for food allergy awareness. I thought I was just keeping my kids safe. When did you realize that you joined the food allergy advocacy journey? How do you advocate?
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One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..
Fantastic work, Cyrus and Mom! The food allergy community is rooting for you and you’re already making us very proud!
Heather,
From Cyrus: Thank you so much for your support and I’ve appreciated your overwhelming support and I’ll be sure to be finding other speaking events to raise awareness! From Caroline: Heather, when did you realize your advocacy? Through Blue Bear?
Funny, I don’t consider myself an advocate (at least not yet). Perhaps after I give a speech in a room full of people!
Heather,
See? We all advocate in so many different ways. Think we need to get you signed up to speak somewhere!
I am so proud of you and of Cyrus. This is just the beginning. I look forward to seeing Cyrus and other young adults with food allergies begin to advocate. Let their voices be heard!!
Gina,
From Cyrus: Thank you Gina, I realized this is a really pressing matter and I’m honored to be one of the many who gets to educate others. I truly appreciate all of the help and good thoughts being sent my way from everybody.
From Caroline: Gina–oh are one amazing advocate, share your humble beginnings–please!
Wow!! Congratulations to both you and Cyrus! I am blown away by his strength.
To answer your question, I realized that I was an advocate after I heard Jim Baker, standing CEO of FARE, mention my legislation twice in a presentation he gave. To me, writing a restaurant bill that requires training on allergy awareness was just second nature. And even speaking before Committee in the Senate TWICE didn’t make me think that what I was doing was anything more than what I needed to do for my son. But now that we wait to go before the House, I am fully aware how many people this bill can help. It is very humbling!!!
Marla, Thank you for your support and for sharing. Isn’t it so very interesting that you’ve been a strong figure for quite some time now, but it took hearing it in a presentation for your AHA moment. I think we are we focused on our children and community, we miss the obvious! Which maybe is good so that we weren’t scared off! Keep up your GREAT week. I’ve been a fan for a long time!
I wouldn’t expect anything less from all of Cyrus’s hard work and heart!
Alisa,
We’ll have to sit back in our rockers on one of our front porches (you’ll have to give up the cool high rise gig) and talk about the good ‘ol days when Cyrus was just a wee lad….
When adults advocate for food allergies,we can be seen as “over-protective” and “combative.” When the students, who have to deal with the exclusion on a daily basis, speak up, that’s when change will happen. Cyrus is definitely brave, as speaking in front of 700+ people would have shut down most people. Is there a video of his speech?
Hi Jack,
we are waiting on the speech and I’ll share. Gina Minnett Lee brought up this topic at the Food Allergy Blogger Conference too–the kids are far more powerful. We can easily be dismissed but it’s hard to gloss over the person who has the struggle when they are looking you straight in the eye. We have a journey ahead of us for sure, but the beauty is that our community is coming together.