Yup. That is a vague title since what we are talking about is perceived as vague. But it is not, so let’s go.
Dear college student,
Recently, a college student, Logan Lewis, died from a milk allergy. He didn’t feel well after eating in the dining hall and headed to his room. His dorm-mate headed back to the room and found Logan in the room, holding epinephrine auto-injector in his hand. He took it from his hand and injected him. But it was too late.
People with food allergies work to reduce risk and manage their food allergies. But if they are having an allergic reaction and can’t breathe, they can’t tell you what to do or call for help.
But, you can be the difference between life and death by taking a few minutes of your time to do the right thing!
Ask your roommates, friends, classmates, and professors if they have food allergies. Consider questions such as…
- Are you allergic to any foods?
- Where do you keep your epinephrine auto-injectors and how do I use them?
- How can I help make it easier for you to stay safe?
Some health conditions like food allergies need community support. Period. No matter how much we tell ourselves, we can handle it alone. We can’t. Your generation is masters of transparency and finding solutions. I honor and respect that. For example, you tackle climate change with such vigor and passion; we can barely keep up with you!
This is why we are having this conversation. The solution is incredibly simple to save a life and keep your mental health in check. No one wants to lose a friend during college. No one.
Many students don’t share their food allergies or carry their rescue medications due to stigma, appearing sickly, or needy. Let’s be honest, starting the conversation with, “I have food allergies,” is awkward. You know this, so help them out.
The good news is that administering an epinephrine auto-injector is incredibly easy and takes only a few seconds. Once it is done, you call 911 and follow their directions.
By-the-way, when my son was a freshman, a fellow student asked him where he does keep his epinephrine auto-injectors. The student’s brother “experienced the longest two minutes of his life” as he desperately searched his friend’s room for an EpiPen while his roommate had an allergic reaction. My son, Cyrus, reached over to his backpack and showed him where to find his rescue medications while explaining his allergies.
It only takes a few minutes to save your friends, their family, and yourself from unthinkable trauma. It’s not vague, it’s simple. Ask. Support. Act. Call 911. You got this one. I have complete faith in you and your generation of change-makers.
Sincerely,
A mom who is grateful for college students who are changing the world!
Food Allergy Life: It's complicated, I'll bring my own food
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!..
I read about this story and immediately thought of your boy (now a man!). You really have raised him to be so confident with his food allergies – you’re both amazing role models.