This story is simply heart-breaking and my thoughts and prayers go to Alex’s parents. Early this fall, Alex Baptist died from a suspected allergic reaction in Australia. His brave parents are sharing his story to raise awareness and improve the management of children with life threatening food allergies. For me, they are not only raising awareness, but teaching the rest of us lessons.
Article: Mother reveals the heartbreaking story of how her son died at school due to his peanut allergy despite it’s ‘nut-free policy’ – and how the teacher stabbed the EpiPen into her own hand instead of little Alex
Lesson One. Was there a false sense of security of attending a Kindergarten with a nut-free policy? I am in support of nut-free policy when it is warranted given the student’s age and health condition. It is impossible to make a blanketed statement about a nut-free policy since each child’s needs are unique. BUT, it is critical that all parties involved understand that policies are written rules and us humans must be capable of implementing those rules. Let’s be honest here, accidents happen. I can count on two hands when I purchased un-safe foods by accident for my children and only realized it when I did my second label reading. Hence, why we have the second label reading at home rule. My questions are: did the school understand how to execute the policy, was it simple an error or did the other parents truly understand the policy?
Even if my children are in a nut-free policy zone, our rules and protocol remain in place as if the policy did not exist. My personal interpretation is that the policy will help REDUCE risk. Not REMOVE risk.
Lesson Two. The article mentions the teacher might have stabbed herself while attempting to administer the EpiPen® epinephrine auto-injector to Alex. This is a prime example of why carrying two epinephrine auto-injectors is important. Not only to provide a second dose if needed, but if there is a human error. Practicing monthly sounds boring, but a two-minute practice might make all the difference. Practice every time you pay your utility bill or at the first of every month. Being comfortable and familiar will help during a crisis.
Love to Alex’s family. I can’t imagine how this family approached the holiday season after this tragedy and I’m eternally grateful for their strength and committment to our children by going to the media to discuss their son’s death. These lessons will save the lives of others and I feel we should honor their lives.
I hope Alex’s family finds peace one day and that everyone works harder to uphold whatever policy is place and to always carry two epinephrine auto-injectors at all time!
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3219624/Mother-reveals-heartbreaking-moment-called-son-s-kindergarten-told-died-peanut-allergy-despite-school-nut-free.html
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