This week was a particularly good week for food allergy awareness at my son’s school.
First, I got a phone call from a mom running our school’s Fall Fundraiser asking if I wouldn’t mind baking an allergen safe cake for the ever popular Cake Walk. In addition, the committee is asking for two local Vegan and Wheat Free Bakeries to donate cakes as well. For the first time ever, children with food allergies and gluten intolerances will have an option if they win the coveted prize. I truly applaud these women for coming up with this great idea.
Last year was John’s first Cake Walk, and he was excited since he heard so much about it. That is, until I broke the news to him that if he did, indeed win a cake, he couldn’t have it. As soon as I said those words to him, I could have kicked myself for being protective to the point of insensitivity. My son, like so many other food allergic children, are apparently so used to hearing “You can’t have that” that it didn’t break his heart, he just wanted to know if I would bake him a special cake at home instead. Of course, I said and we moved through the line. For the record, we never won a cake after seven tries. This year, though, at least I will feel good about the fact that if he does actually win, he gets to have his cake and eat it too.
Finally, as I wrote in a previous post, John’s class teacher has adopted a non food Birthday Treat Policy in her classroom. There are so many wonderful ways to celebrate birthdays at school without sugary cupcakes and donut holes. Here’s a great idea from his teacher that she started just this year; the Sparkle Gram. It’s a decorated box filled with little notes and pictures from classmates sharing what they like about the Birthday Student. It is a wonderful way for students and teachers to take some time to write something nice about someone else. Who wouldn’t want to be the lucky recipient of a Sparkle Gram? It’s brilliant, and I wish I could have taken a picture of John beaming as he ran out of school today holding his box of Sparkle Grams.
As a food allergy mom, I take great comfort in these little victories, because I believe over time they will add up to something big such as more awareness about allergies in general. We’ve all had our share of rough spots, so I’ll take these moments of kindness every chance I can get.
Thanks for this encouraging article, Kelly, change sometimes comes very slowly so it’s important to keep the long term vision while working on the challenges right in front of us.
Mt daughter’s first grade class (and in fact entire school) encourages food alternatives for birthday treats. I am curious to see how this advice is carried out as the year goes on. We were able to set the precedent as the first birthday of the school year. I bought little white favor bags from the dollar store, glued colored poms to the outside (which made for excellent 3-D polka dots!) and filled the bags with colored tissue, a small slinky (Oriental Trading Company), a pencil and a deck of cards (Old Maid, Crazy 8s or a matching game, these came in packs of three from the dollar store.) They turned out really cute.
I love the idea of little treat bags filled with trinkets. My son’s teacher also also likes to do the same thing. Parents have the option of bringing along a little toy that might relate to the birthday story they’ve come in to read; i.e. a little heart for a Valentine’s Day story, etc. The trinkets are put into a special “Birthday Bag” and at the end of the year, the children recieve their bags full of goodies. There are so many wonderful ways to approach non food birthday celebrations.
I couldn’t agree more Sharon!
That’s great news Kelly – small victories make all the difference! Our school has adopted a “wellness policy” which further encourages “healthy” treats (fruit kabobs, or no food at all) for in-class celebrations like birthdays. We even discussed no-food options and the nurse & teacher were very supportive (my son is in the nut-free 1st grade classroom). It really does help to know that this is the direction they are moving in. And I LOVE the sparkle box idea – it makes the child feel so special for that day! At daycare they do something similar and my youngest came home with a “book” of special wishes last year from his whole class – it was adorable!
That is awesome!
I just found your web-site in a magazine that I was reading. My daughter is also egg and dairy allergy, with numerous environmental allergies. She is 7 and I always have concerns when she’s at school. We are our children’s advocates, so I am thrilled to read what a huge influence you are at the schools. Great job!
Vickie