Ask!

Learning how to deal with Bryce's food allergies is an ongoing process. The allergist tells you your child has food allergies-significant, severe, multiple food allergies-and they give you an Epi-pen script and send you on your way. They don't give you a book that tells you how to exactly deal with your particular child's allergies. You have to learn as you go.

I've learned to talk to others whose children have food allergies. A high school friend talked me off my "ledge" via Facebook after Bryce's inital diagnosis & helped me learn how to deal with food allergies one thing at a time. One parent invited me to her home to give me a tour of her pantry. She even saved food labels of various "safe" foods for me. Very clever. Other parents have suggested different allergists (so yes, we ARE seeing the head person over at U of M in Sept). Some have told me strategies about teaching very young children about their allergies, including book reading, "This is an egg. Bryce is allergic to eggs." Hmm. Good idea-empower him as a toddler!

The most helpful thing I've learned is to just ask. Don't wait for "them" to come to you to help you with your child's allergies-ask! Advocate! We are so pleased that our church came to US saying "we need to ban peanuts/nuts to keep Bryce and others safe", but most places aren't that accomodating.

I recently received an email from the older boys' school (yes, for one GLORIOUS year, they will both attend the same school!). It had a short list of 3 upcoming events at school where food would be involved. I hesitated, but decided to call & ask the PTA president (whom I don't actually know) and ask if the 3 events could have a peanut-free area. She was wonderful and told me that they'd just indicate on the various emails and handouts that the events will be "peanut/tree nut free". Really? It was that easy? All I had to do was ask.