This video really sums it up in just six mere minutes. The Food Allergy Initiative (FAI) produced this video over year ago, yet it remains my favorite video that truly reflects our lives in managing children with life threatening food allergies. No matter how many times I watch it, I always end up with tears in my eyes. I can feel the pain of the parents…it just comes through so beautifully.
I think one my biggest challenge in managing food allergies is getting folks to understand that the life threatening food allergies are just that…life threatening! “This is serious, so please pause for a moment and just listen”, is what I try to say without sounding over emotional or dramatic. I find this video gets that message across.
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-47w1JzlRE]
Why I like to share this video: it clearly and quickly addresses mis-understandings, frustrations and the real life worries we have as parents trying to protect and raise our children. The video is a fabulous example of the emotional and physical impact brought on by food allergies.
I encourage you to share this video when educating teachers, care givers and family members. It gets to the point in six short minutes.
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!..