This is exactly the story we want to hear: the State of Virginia–who just passed last spring an Epi Pen® law requiring all schools to have epinephrine on hand for all students–just experienced this law working! A teenage boy, Luis Rodriguez, was riding the bus home from school and got stung by a bee. Prince George County Schools Health Services Coordinator Teresa got the call from the bus driver about the sting and luckily was close by. Teresa grabbed the school’s stock epinephrine and dashed to the bus. The story ended quite well!
As a parent of food allergic children I am elated to hear about a student’s life being saved. As a citizen of Nevada, I am planning on sharing this success story with my state legislators on the impact and value of commitment to protecting all our school aged children. This success story will saves lives no doubt as it give credit to our work towards requiring schools to be equipped with life saving epinephrine.
I am sure Luis Rodriguez and his family are celebrating life today with full gratitude. I’m sure Ammaria Johnson’s mother is still sad and grieving the loss of her daughter, but I hope today she finds some peace that Ammaria’s death helped save Luis’s life.
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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!..
This is a great story. But I still continue to be confused by Amira’s story. I have yet to hear the reason why this little girl with a known allergy did not have an epipen at school. Her mother was employed as a practical nurse at a nursing home (as per an article in Allergic Living) and so we can assume a knowledgable care giver. The school knew she was allergic to peanuts. This missing piece of information has been driving me mad. Was it an oversight? Paperwork glitch with the school? Expense related? Insurance related?
Hi Jenni, I don’t know the answer either. My issue of Allergic Living hasn’t arrived yet, but I”ll read the story. It’s super frustrating as it could be all of things! Lack of info, costs too high, etc. In some of the original stories from the local newspapers, they stated that the mother was told by the school that they did not need the Epi pen?! I don’t know if we’ll ever find out.
Thank you for highlighting the importance of preparation with known (and unknown) allergies. The student is fortunate that there was quick recognition of his symptoms & a quick response -which included epi pens at the school & MOST IMPORTANTLY, a staff member was trained to properly administer the medication.
Jenni’s questions will be answered in the court transcripts after they are released from the pending lawsuit filed by the child’s mother. It may be years to learn the details, especially if the family & child’s estate chooses to settle instead of having a court trial. The most important lesson is ensure that the child is safe wherever he/she goes & to trust our parental intuition.
I think you said it right Judie, trust our parental intuition!