I am thrilled to have an essay posted on The TODAY Show web site to correspond with a breaking news story that shows food allergies in children are more numerous than previously believed. The study, conducted by an allergist from Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, also shows that 40% of kids affected have experienced a severe allergic reaction. My essay appears on The TODAY Show Parenting section of the web site and here is a direct link.
I'm so happy to have been able to share my story and thanks to The TODAY Show for allowing me to share the personal side of living with food allergies!
7 comments:
Jenny,
Thank you for sharing. I am a dad of a son who is five and he previous had DENS (i.e., allergic to dairy, eggs, nuts, and shell fish). Each year his test has shown less and less allergies. He started with many, many more allergies. Now it is diary, eggs, and nuts. Although he does not like shell fish. We too have had challenges at family events, school, and in public. My wife and I were thinking how do we start a movement to have restaurants have allergy grades? This would be similar to the A, B, and C rating that is currently used. Isn't it a little discriminating for a restaurant to tell us that they cannot serve my son because of his a food allergy? Also, wouldn't it be nice to have separate parts of restaurant kitchens to have all allergy-free cooking utensils and equipment? Just a thought to help my son and others with allergies. I am at mariohtamayo@yahoo.com. Thank you!
I read your article today on the MSNBC. It was excellent! My 3 year old was diagnosed a year ago with PA/TNA. I think the hardest part of managing a child with a severe peanut allergy is trying to make others understand that it is a complete lifestyle overhaul. It's not just about tossing out the Reese's peanut butter cups. Thanks for articulating so clearly the road that many of us are traveling!
Thank you for the article that was posted on The TODAY Show sight. As a mom to an almost three year old with a severe peanut allergy (we found out back in December) your words were very comforting. After we had him officially tested to find out the severity of the allergy I was devastated. But I am vigilant about reading packages and luckily he is in a peanut-free day care (though of course I still worry). He had a birthday party this past weekend and I was a mess about how he would react to no birthday cake (I made cookies for him). He couldn't care less--he was able to have my cookies and ice cream (that my friend made sure was okay for him and for her peanut and tree nut allergic niece). But of course, his epipen is forever by my side. I am hoping it gets easier. Though I must say living in NYC I am so worried when he starts public school. One day at a time. I look forward to reading more of your posts.
I am so thankful to have found this site. My 17 month old daughter got ahold of a peanut butter cookie a week ago. Within 15 minutes she was broke out in a severe rash and coughing. I rushed her to the ER as fast as I could.... it was the scariest thing I have ever experienced. We can't get in to the allergist until July, the pediatrician got us an epi-pen and told us to avoid peanuts. I am now paranoid. Seeing your story makes me feel a little better, it gives me hope. I have had this overwhelming feeling that I need to keep her in a little bubble. After reading your story, I feel like she will be able to live her life normally as long as we stay aware. Thank you again.
Congrats!!!
awesome!! Thanks for all you do for the allergy community.
Thanks so much for this article. It brought tears to my eyes reliving the day my daughter had a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. It seemed as if I was reading our story online. I hope it reaches many and teaches them how much has to be thought of when it comes to life threating food allergies, it is not just don't eat your food you are allergic to but all the manufacture processes, bagging facilities, bakeries...and so much more has to be taken into account! Thanks again!!!
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