If there is any advice that I could give, I would say that people are persuaded in different ways. For some, people will not see a point of view until they have experienced what it is like firsthand. In other words, they will only be able to appreciate the consequences of an allergen-free lifestyle when it directly affects a friend or family member. For others, it might just be a gradual approach, with personal stories of your own, and instances (like Kelly’s book) that make an allergen free lifestyle much easier and less of a dramatic change from the norm. Others will also appreciate a more statistical and factually based approach, based on prevalence data and the chemistry and INABILITY for an allergic student to control how his/her body reacts to it. The difficulties behind allergic children are not just emotional, but physical as well. Many people have a tendency to dismiss these requirements from parents as emotional, and therefore find it easier to not allow the necessary restrictions to promote a safe environment for their children.

Just know that there are definitely lots of people feeling for you out there! Kelly has shown great progress. It’s just a struggle, and hopefully we can all make it easier for the people who are most important…the kids!

I am glad that your son is OK. I must say, those fears are constantly on my mind. Currently, I am fighting a battle with daycare. My little girl is severely allergic to milk, eggs, and peanuts. Her RAST scores are over 100. Even dry milk residue on anything is enough to cause a severe reaction. Recently, at her daycare, one parent dropped off his little boy to the classroom and I noticed that the child had a piece of cheddar cheese in his hand and was munching on it as he ran around and touched everything he could get his hands on! I was horrified. I was running around the classroom wiping everything he touched. I alerted the daycare staff, and although they have been very understanding and accommodating, the parents of other children have been anything but. Most parents even refused to attend the allergy meeting that the daycare director had setup. She was extremely apologetic but told me that most parents expressed that it is not their problem if another child has allergies and that since it does not affect their own child, they don’t see why they have to be involved. So I suggested that we send out an information package about allergies and the specific ones my daughter is allergic to, and have parents sign them to make sure they read them. Parents called the director and complained that they will not sign anything because they do not want to be liable for anything.

My little 2 year old has been exposed to milk residue twice in the past two weeks, at the daycare. Both times the epi-pen had to be administered, and the last time, 911 had to be called. I am starting to wonder if I am a bad mother for wanting her to be in daycare.

I am beside myself, and I am not sure how to deal with this. I have looked at pretty much every daycare centre in the city. This is the only one that accepted to take her in. All other daycares refused, and one even suggested that I should not be putting her in daycare to begin with. Do you have any advice, or have you been exposed to that kind of ignorance before?

Do any of the readers have any advice about this? How do you deal with stubborn parents?

I’m so glad everything turned out well and your son had a good attitude. This is what will help him keep a cool head–you’ve done a great job!

Thanks again to all of you for always being a tremendous source of support!

Linda

I read the post after it saw your link on Twitter at the end of my day. I’d be lying if I said it didn’t scare me to read your words. Of course, I know this is a possibility. Accidents can happen. Mistakes can happen. I went to bed with an overwhelmed feeling. I re-read your post today and remembered something a teacher told commended me on yesterday. She applauded my efforts to teach my son to protect himself in life (in the “real world”). She complimented me on not keeping him in a bubble. At the time, the words didn’t really resonate with me. Part of me really wishes I could keep him in a bubble! But, after reading your story and thinking about how it didn’t phase your son, I am reminded that we are doing a tremendous service to our food allergic children. We are protecting them – with all of our energy and everything we have – and we are providing for them – by giving them the tools they need (the know-how and the right attitude) to protect themselves.

I am very thankful that your son is okay. Thank you for sharing.