This article, from England’s Daily Mail, “Should nut allergy suffers be allowed to fly? Health experts campaigners debate how risky the condition REALLY is on an aircraft”, truly brings up an important conversation. How can any of us, including medical professionals, make commentary on anyone’s health care and protocol if they do not have the individual’s records in their hands, along with the ability to interpret them as well? These types of statements boggle my mind. Could our society be missing the point that this disease is very much in its embryonic stages and there are no firm answers? Hence, why addressing risk reduction and establishing baseline policy is critical.
Reducing the risk of anaphylaxis occurring in flight helps the airline avoid the high cost of landing a plane and re-routing customers. It helps customers not experience extremely delays, missed meetings & events, or flights. Most of all, it does not place another human’s life at risk for a possibly fatal incident.
As you can see, I’m in support of airlines taking a position that benefits EVERYONE. If someone hands me the magic wand, I would like t wave it and witness the airline industry avoid legislation, deaths or ugly situations and simply respond to what is fiscally conservative, logical and yes, compassionate!
FYI: Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE) is taking the lead with an impressive coalition, including The Allergy and Asthma Network, Allergy and Asthma Foundation of America and the No Nut Traveler working towards gaining support of the Airline Access to Emergency Epinephrine Act (S. 1972). If you find fly or have children who one day might fly to college and or work, you might just want to take a few very important moments to check out this Act and drop a quick note to your representative asking for their support. NOTE: FARE and the other coalition members offer information on how you can offer your support on their websites.
Our children will be greatly affected by this Act in the upcoming years. I’m dealing with this right now as my applies to colleges while I map out if safe travel is an option. Sad to say, some colleges will might get scratched off the list if we can’t find affordable and safe transportation.
Do you find air travel stressful or stress-free when managing life-threatening food allergies? Please share your important thoughts!
Disclaimer: I am a big supporter of the coalition mentioned above. I sit on FARE’s Advocacy Committee, consider No Nut Traveler a personal friend and adore AAFA and the Network (as we call the Allergy and Asthma Network). Biased? Yes? Do I believe in their good work? Heck ya!
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!..