Yesterday I read a post that sent the good kind of chills through my body from Food Allergy Froggie, “Coping With Anaphylaxis, Leaving a Legacy on Purpose”. After putting away my tissue box, it dawned on me that I know three amazing young people who have been dealt a heavy dose of anaphylaxis and yet, they keep pushing forward to educate and inspire our food allergic community. This little trio could have thrown in the towel and wallowed in their pain. Instead they all work towards improving the lives of others. Two of these inspirations I know virtually from their websites and one is an awesome young man who I have had the honor of watching him grow from a boy into a man advocating for his own life. Needless to say, I think these three need to virtually meet each other today, (okay, I know I love a good match making, but this isn’t one of those times I promise)! Also, if you haven’t virtually met them yet, then let me introduce you to these amazing food allergic youth who don’t let anything stop them!
photo courtesy of Food Allergy Froggie
Food Allergy Froggie hosts a wonderful website and is active Twitter participant! She is a college student with multiple food allergies, which are increasing as time moves forward, and Celiac disease with allergic asthma tossed in for good measures. She is a foodie and shares fabulous recipes with us! Her post this week was off the hook incredible as she described a parent’s worst nightmare: a life threatening allergic reaction. What made her story inspirational is that she discussed death and what living means. I was in awe. Make sure you read her post, “Coping With Anaphylaxis, Leaving a Legacy on Purpose”.
photo courtesy of Behind the Reaction
Natalie, author of Behind the Reaction is another college student managing a peanut, tree nut and Idiopathic Anaphylaxis. Idiopathic is a fancy way of say, “we don’t what causes this” kind of anaphylaxis. She blogs about her journey as she works toward a normal productive life with this anaphylaxis. Her goal is offer support to others and to always share the truth, even if it is not pretty. Natalie posted about a recent reaction too in her post, “Alive”. What amazes me is how she wrote about a very scary Idiopathic Anaphylactic Reaction and then ended her story of painting her nails a glittery purple to create a distraction from her bruises from the IV! She just picked herself right back up off the ground and painted her nails, like a real woman! Go Natalie!
[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N6Q6bNW4nCg]
Now, I’ve written about Zac before but I felt it was important to include this video his college classmates created about him. He too keeps getting hit with anaphylactic reactions and life has been super tough with his airborne peanut allergy that also causes allergic asthma. His allergies, like Food Allergy Froggie, seem to be increasing as well. What has me in awe of Zac, is when he returned to Reno after his freshman year in college, this is the first thing he asked me, “what can I do to help others and give back?” Let me share that while flying back to school in January he experienced an anaphylactic reaction in an airport while changing planes. I thought Zac would be so happy to be home that he would want to kick back. Instead, we’re inking in a few lectures and workshops with Zac and the younger children in community and a lecture with adults.
image courtesy of BJWOK via Freedigitalphotos.net
Do you see the common thread here? These young people get knocked over, they brush themselves off and then ask how they can help others!
Food Allergy Froggie, Natalie and Zac, will each of you write a blog post for me to share on this blog site sharing with us what three things you want us to know as parents of younger children who are living with life threatening food allergies?
I’m inspired and humbled by these three who are lovely role models for my children!
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!..
Beautifully written as always Caroline!! Cannot wait to see what they write and will click on the links you listed to learn more about these three amazing people. Count me and M in if you put something together locally. I would love her to meet someone older, in college pursuing his dreams even with this significant issue. XXOO
Kelly, We’re working on a joint talk at the park with Zac and the American Lung Association–almost ready to send out a notice. Just nailing down the time. Grimaldi’s can handle us but then air borne dairy allergics couldn’t come, so we’re heading the the park!
Oh my goodness, talk about refreshing! Thank you, Caroline, for sharing about these incredible young adults and the ways they are turning anaphylaxis “inside out”…taking what could be a very defeating disability and using it as an opportunity to reach out and inspire others. As a mom of 2 boys, ages 12 and 9, both with multiple life threatening food allergies…I’m also in awe and extremely thankful for those older than our sons, showing the (positive and educational) way! This post (and all that these fabulous young adults have shared) made my day…week…month!! 🙂
Cheryl,
I’m sooooo happy to hear you are delighted by these three two. They are marvelous role models for our children. My soon to be 15 year old really thinks Zac and is cool and there is nothing greater than finding a role model who is incredibly positive. I don’t think at that age I would have been so grounded as these three!
Cheryl said it beautifully. Thank you for posting this Caroline!
You are so, so sweet! Thank you for such a kind post! It is so encouraging to hear you enjoy reading!
Hi Natalie,
So many of us enjoy reading your blog, you give us such inspiration!
It is so nice to read posts about inspiring young people who are working through challenges and triumphing! I know that life will always be a struggle for them, they will always be on the look-out for cross-contamination situations, but they stay positive and upbeat and keep on keeping on! Way to go, you 3! You are an inspiration to us all! I wish you all the best, and pray that you will continue to thrive and succeed!