Oh my. Epi-Essentials shared this yesterday on Facebook and from what I have been reading, the author of, “It’s not the kid with the allergy’s fault. So don’t put them at risk” said things that many food allergy mothers had wish they have said in past situations. WARNING: if you read the article written by Em Rusciano be ready for some F bombs. Em does not hold back. Basically, an Australian mother posted on facebook about her daughter’s food allergic reaction at school. Em picked up the story and then basically called out folks living in Australia, who continue to pack nuts when asked not to. They were referred to as “reckless, selfish and dangerous individuals”. There was also very colorful language used throughout the article in Em’s spirited response to the food allergic reaction.
Note: top image of “Bomb” courtesty of graur razvan ionut via freedigitalphotos.netArticle: “It’s not the kid with the allergy’s fault. So don’t put them at risk“
Fascinating food allergy interactions! What really caught my interest was reading the comments and how so much of our food allergy community supported the author’s words. I also am flat-out fascinated with the folks who feel their child’s rights have been violated if they can’t send in nut cookies to a party. I think the concept of civil liberties gets confused with human compassion. When I ask someone to refrain from exposing my child to a food allergen, I’m speaking from my place of asking another parent to join my village and help me keep my child safe. If that parents objects, then clearly it’s time to find exile island and way to invite that person to go live on it. Okay, seriously, some folks are just too self-centered, angry and mean to ever get it, but if we can educate and positively influence those that do–then we’ve done a good thing. I just don’t understand the justification of a nut sandwich, other than when a poverty and nutrition situation exist, versus accidental death. I can’t get my head around it.
grab some tea and read on..
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 applaud your judgment for putting up an otherwise meaningful comment that contains language that, though offensive, we all hear in “PG-13” movies. Much more shocking is the idea that parents would knowingly put the health of other children at risk.
Hi Charlotte,
This article was fascinating on so many levels: the passion and spirit that so many parents had and the other parents who were willing to give push back and say that they intend on bringing nut items. This is a real lesson on what is taking place.
Hi Caroline!
Your last sentence pretty much sums up life today. We live in a society that has forgotten that it’s not the “All About Me Show” it’s the “All About We Show.” This attitude is present whether it’s you cut me off in traffic, I was here first at the deli counter or my kid has the right to eat whatever he wants wherever he wants…while your kid’s right is to sit at a separate table, eat something different, cope if he is exposed, buck up if he survives an anaphylactic reaction.
Truly saddens me that we have to become so beligerent to ask for love an compassion.
Have a Happy Valentine’s Day…
~ Kristin
Kristin, you really hit the nail on the head! You summed it up right…All About Me Show. How and when did we change?
Have a happy Valentine’s Day too!
I am a Kindergarten teacher and also a parent of a 7 year old with peanut and sesame allergies. In my classroom, I have 2 children that need to have SAFE SNACKS in my classroom to keep them safe from their food allergies. I insisted that all treats that were sent in were individually wrapped for our holiday party. (That did not happen.) But, the last draw was for Christmas/Holiday Break, I asked parents to only send in treats for the student’s treat bags that DO NOT CONTAIN NUT PRODUCTS, PEANUTS, or HAVE BEEN MANUFACTURED OR PRODUCED ON SHARED EQUIPMENT THAT MANUFACTURES PRODUCTS THAT CONTAIN NUTS OR NUT PRODUCTS. Well, the peanut butter crackers and the Snickers, etc. that arrived in bulk in my classroom for the holiday celebration is what made me decide to not allow any treats to be brought in for Valentine’s/Friendship Day. A letter from the School Nurse was sent home attached to the parent instructions for Valentine’s Day. Then for the homework sheet, another copy of my letter was sent home to parents. I suggested: plain Friendship cards, or Friendship cards that had pencils, stickers, or tattoos. NO FOOD AT ALL. NO LOLLIPOPS, NO CANDY, NO CUPCAKES, etc. due to food allergies within my classroom and it is our job to keep all students safe. I still received food items, so I just sent it back home with the child. A few parents will be upset with me, but I don’t want to be the teacher that allowed a child to be hurt or worse over a cupcake, a cookie, or a piece of candy. Parents wouldn’t want to see a child drown or be responsible for causing a child to harm themselves, so why can’t they understand that a food allergy can quickly put a child’s life in danger. We need to educate the public using public service announcements.
Last week,I pulled my own child out of school early due to a Chinese New Year activity in his classroom. I couldn’t allow my child to eat Chinese food from a busy Chinese take out restaurant just to have the opportunity to eat with chopsticks. The school nurses and the school administration need to step up as a group and stand up for these kids. My son’s class could have easily used chopsticks to pick up yarn or small manipulatives.
I sure hope all schools begin to support children with food allergies more. .
Linda!
You are my hero! Bravo to you for taking the hard and safe stance!!!!!! You bring up a great idea too: establishing a food allergy safety team at schools. So much of the time actions are based on ignorance and a team might be able to provide school administrators with good information. I meet with my school district on behalf of the food allergy parents in my town to share “the pulse” of the food allergy community and they will also share back what they are experiencing and then we try to find solutions.
GOOD JOB LINDA! You are a true role model of a teacher and a food allergy parent. HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!