Let’s just dive straight into this bias: my son launched his website, Food Allergy IceBreaker this week and I’m thrilled to share! The site is for people who do not have food allergies, but who are affected by them. His goal is to help these people discover ways to start the food allergy conversation and find vetted resources. I am his happy mom who is pleased to share his website. It’s been tough watching him work on the site while not offering help (other than an occasion answer or two). BUT, I need him to own his disease and his solutions. My biggest lesson so far is knowing that I must prepare him for the real world. Most of all, I need him to fail and then learn how to recover. So my hair just about fell out when his launch wasn’t quite what he had planned due to a second round of strep throat, but I stayed silent. Yesterday, I received his blessing to give a shout out about his website though and I’m taking it!
As people who live with this disease, we know how to sift through the fluff and bad advice on the internet, but those we interact act with do not.
His blog posts are on topics, such as “Who Is Protected?” which features a Food Allergy Research and Education webinar, “Food Allergies in the Work Place,” presented by leading disability lawyer, Mary Vargas.
His resources include links regarding Dining Out and Travel, Emergency Planning and College resources. One area that he seems to really enjoy exploring is information for the workplace, such as office kitchens, accommodations and links to the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that are applicable to the workplace.
He hopes his website will help people find data fast and easy so they can be part of the solution. The website is in its beginning stages and it will be fun to watch it grow as he grows into his own 100% self-management of this disease as a young adult.
He pulled together a great team of advisors including food allergy consultant Gina Mennett Lee, Drew Aveling of Online Allergies and Aleasa Word-author, writer and life coaching guru. Allergists Ally Tevrizian and Joshua Jacobs are on board to help keep him on the straight the narrow along with lawyers Amir Torkamani and Lauren Robinson. American Lung Association Executive Director, Frankie Vigil, is a PR professional who also offers incredible knowledge of lung disease, eCigs and asthma. Nicole Taucare, director of the Upper School at Cyrus’ high school, Sage Ridge School, and has been an incredible support system over the years as well as an incredible partner in helping Cyrus gain food allergy independance. Last, but not least, Senator Ben Kieckhefer has been advising and guiding Cyrus about following your passions and making change.
So, wahooo Cyrus! I hope you grow, make mistakes, find your solutions and don’t date hoochie girls. This is all a mom can ask, right?
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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!..
So excited for your son- He will do great things just like his mother! (as far as the hoochie girls, unbeknownst to him, he’s got A LOT more moms out there watching over him so I wouldn’t worry about that!) Congrats Cyrus
Forget the website Tracy, I am relieved to know that you all have his back and will help deter those hoochie girls!
This is just wonderful!! Congrats Cyrus!! Best wishes and it seems you already make mom proud!!
Thanks! I proud of him that he is slow and steady in discovering his journey and even prouder that was able to keep my mouth shut without my hair falling out.