When a Forehead Tattoo Won't Do

When my son was first diagnosed at the age of two with a long laundry list of food allergies, I had wanted FOOD ALLERGIES tattooed on his forehead. Thankfully, I realized that was socially unacceptable and might bring Children Protective Services running over. My initial feelings were that I wanted everyone within an arm’s reach to know that he had food allergies and needed help in staying safe. Enter, fifteen years later, the Allerguarder.
This Bluetooth silicone wristband device alerts people within a 50-foot radius, who also have the Allerguarder App enabled on their smartphone, of the wearer’s presence and allergies (you decide who gets to see your child’s name and emergency info). Clearly, a more reasonable approach to my former food allergy acknowledgment needs. I met Allerguarder founder, Avram Weissman at the Food Allergy Blogger Conference and was happy to recently reconnect. It is apparent this device was born out of Avram’s dad food allergy passion (he started the Allerdad blog too). “Food allergies can kill.  Others need to be aware of a child’s food allergies all the time, and right now they just aren’t.  The allergy-alert wristbands on the market today are passively warning people about food allergies, relying on visual perception”, Avram explained to me. 
Allerguarder has launched an Allerguarder  Kickstarter Campaign to help get their device in our hot little food allergies hands. What I found interesting was by pledging to the campaign at certain levels, supporters are actually pre-ordering the Allerguarder. The waterproof device allows users to share with those designated as Trusted Friends with additional information, such as your child’s name, your phone number, emergency contact information and relevant medical data. It appears that the goal is ship the first run of Allerguarder to the Kickstarter Backers first in July, 2016. Adults can use the device as well since the band is adjustable.
What caught my attention was that Avram hopes that businesses, such as hotels, restaurants, amusement parks and even airlines would require employees to download this app to help alert them to guests with allergies. Very interesting concept!
On the Kickstarter page there is a terrific video explaining how the Allerguarder works and why it can be an important tool in helping keep people with life-threatening allergies safe. It appears that the goal of the Allerguarder to remind others of a child’s food allergy. I’ll be honest here, there were many times have lovely well-meaning friends and family forgotten about my kids food allergies until they physically saw them at an event. I completely understand how easy it is to forget. I’ve done that myself with friends who have other types of allergies or sensitivities.
Allerguarder has been receiving quite a bit of support  which has been very exciting for Avram as he explained, “I’ve had folks from all over the world reach out to me wanting to get involved.  A primetime TV show (can’t say who) just reached out to me to possibly share my story”. He then went on to share that a New York-based university professor reached out to him asking if her class could collaborate with Avram and Allerguarder. He is planning weekly Skype sessions now!
Even though I started out in those first few months of food allergy diagnosis wanting to tattoo my son, I learned that I needed to find the root of my fears and concern then address them realistically to find viable solutions. I’m always thrilled to see folks like Avram who combine their problem-solving skills with passion to create answers for difficult situations.
I wish Allerguarder much success and I look forward to seeing Allerguarder and wrists worldwide.
Disclaimer: I was not paid or asked to say nice things, ugly things or even neutral things about Allerguarder. My hope is to share items that you might find of value as we all traverse this food allergy path together.