Tagged With "free guide"
Blog Post Featured
What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Do you find it challenging to help people understand what it means to live with food allergies? This free two-page handout can help. The question and answer format is ideal for giving to teachers, caregivers, other parents, family members or anyone...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
I understand this handout was created to help people understand food allergies, but including statements like, "Children may be asked to not bring certain foods to school so other children with food allergies can participate in school activities with their classmates and not feel different or left out." makes it more difficult for parents of children with life threatening food allergies. The reason for not bringing certain foods to school is so children don't die , period. Diluting the...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Page 2 at the top answers the question, "can children die due to a food allergy reaction." inclusion on is an important concept to educate people on as well.
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
I have a child with multiple food allergies, with dairy being the most severe. He also has had asthma induced with "contact sensitive" reactions from accidentally touching an allergen on a surface and then touching a membrane (eyes, nose, lips). Many people do not realize the severity of "cross-contamination" and or "contact sensitive" individuals with food allergies. Putting my son in a room full of kids eating something that he can't is just as dangerous due to the "contact sensitivity". I...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Hi Cheryl, I'm really sorry you have had so many bad experiences and trust me, I understand. My son has food allergies - had multiple food allergies as a little kid, is still anaphylactic to his allergens. He had anaphylaxis at school in first grade. I get it, I really do. Did you see page 2 of this handout? It specifically asks the question, "Can kids die from food allergies?" and it's answered. the very last question on page 2 gives ways for people without food allergies to help children...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
That handout is great - thank you!! The only thing I didn't like about it was the "clean" theory as my son's teacher is constantly telling me that this is the reason he has food allergies. annoys me to no end! I would have liked the article not to include any theories but besides that, I love it and plan to use it.
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Originally Posted by ReeseCat: That handout is great - thank you!! The only thing I didn't like about it was the "clean" theory as my son's teacher is constantly telling me that this is the reason he has food allergies. annoys me to no end! I would have liked the article not to include any theories but besides that, I love it and plan to use it. Reese, I agree with that. I was considering giving it to my son's teacher and then got to that line and decided not to. However, Lynda, that's not...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Was that directed to me?? I actually didn't work on that particular handout, but yes a lot of work goes into resources like this. And it's always a difficult balancing act since dealing w/ food allergies is a wide spectrum. If you have concerns or suggestions, you can e-mail them directly to Lynda at the address she provided above. I'm sorry to hear it did not fit your particular needs and you decided not to give it to the teacher. Thank for your feedback though as it is always good to get a...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Kathy, I typed your name and hit post and then realized it should have been Lynda (you are both so helpful on here that I think I got you confused). I edited it back to say Lynda, but your name was was there for a few minutes . I'm sorry for making it confusing!
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
No worries! I figured it was bc I had posted a link on the forums to this blog post. I'm not sure why your posts keep tripping the spam filter though.
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
I'm really appreciative of the comments! We want this to be a helpful resource. I've gotten a few other comments already and will discuss with our medical advisory team about how to proceed.
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
ReeseCat Tell the teacher that the "clean theory" has NOT been proven as a cause for kids getting food allergies. It's just one theory and to my knowledge it has not been proven. I had a kindergarten teacher that told me, by state law they have to have the kids wash their hands prior to lunch or eating, but that afterwards was not a requirement, nor would they have the time to take that additional step for me. I pleaded my case due to the contact sensitivity and shared surfaces in a...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Lynda, I appreciate your response back. I am sorry if I sorta beat up on the hands trying to help us deal. I do agree that it is hard to have one hand out fit all, but it is always a help to have something. I think it is hard with food allergies as even kids with food allergies differ from the next kid as far as severity and their own personal limits as to what keeps them safe. It is hard to address all of us in one pamphlet. I do appreciate your support and the fact there is a pamphlet.
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Okay, just read how I am taking up so much room on this comment forum. I hope I helped, not trying to be a problem, but also frustrated at times. I am done commenting and will just sit back now and learn from the rest of you. Thanks, in advance, for supporting me and my frustrations and mostly for letting me vent even if I don't do it the best way.
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Cheryl - don't feel bad about taking up comment space! That's what it's for.....for everyone to be able to constructively voice their opinion to help and support others dealing w/ how to live w/ FA's. As you said, everyone's issues and restrictions are different, even kid to kid. There is no one size fits all and that makes it more difficult for those who need more stringent restrictions. I'm watching my dd, who is a cabin leader for band camp, deal w/ some vaguely defined food...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Kathy, Proud of your daughter. Glad she is confident in herself enough to do that as well. It's hard in the teenage years. My son is not as confident and worries more about fitting in yet in his young teen years and why I am more worried about him. They say it is those young teen years where they sometimes slip up with their safety as they let friends and fitting in, throw them off course sometimes with their safety. Yes, there is only so much to put into a 2 page hand-out. Agreed. The...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Oh, those middle school years are the hardest! My dd was steadily outgrowing her FA's before that, but then developed new ones during that time. I encourage you to post over on the School Age Kids forum - there are many who have been through it/are going through it and can bounce ideas or frustrations. It's hard!
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Cheryl, I know what you mean about wanting a handout to show people who doubt you that will get them to 'get it'. I wonder, what would you like to see in a handout that you haven't found here yet? I have a child who is contact ingestion sensitive and had reactions to this type of exposure ranging from very minor to severe. It has been difficult at times to get people to understand the risks of contact ingestion over the years and I collected things that talked about contact ingestion...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Thank you, Lisa. Yes, I only found this website a year or so ago. If I had found it sooner, a lot of things would of been easier. I used FAAN, which is now FARE. There didn't seem to be a lot of sites where us moms could chat, share ideas etc. I know I have sounded crabby and frustrated on this site, but everyone has been really nice and supportive back. I just had so many people not get the contact sensitive part with my son when he was smaller and even now to some extent. I know what you...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
I think what I am hearing here is that the hygiene theory statement in the handout is something that people without food allergies misunderstand, and therefore, it might be better to remove that from the handout altogether. To clarify, it is a theory. It's not proven. And the theory relates to *developing* food allergies, not to outgrowing food allergies or managing food allergies. It has nothing to do with washing hands before or after eating to remove allergens. I'm also sensing that you...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Lynda, We want our kids to be included, however, for some of our kids the inclusion is hard. Mine has severe dairy allergies and asthma and so letting him be with other kids eating ice cream and pizza was impossible. I might as well sat there and called 911, the minute he got there and was around all that. The contact sensitivity or contact ingestion is VERY REAL and many don't get that point. There is very little mention of that ANYWHERE, in any allergy articles, pamplets etc. It seems to...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Hi Cheryl! Welcome to KFA I wanted to add a note about "inclusion". Usually around here when we're talking about inclusion, we mean that the allergen should be removed from the situation or the environment should be made safe for the child with food allergies so that they can be included in an activity. We are not meaning it to say that a kid with a milk allergy should have to sit and endure a milk-laden pizza party. That's not what we mean by "inclusive". From your post, I couldn't tell if...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Originally Posted by Lynda: I think what I am hearing here is that the hygiene theory statement in the handout is something that people without food allergies misunderstand, and therefore, it might be better to remove that from the handout altogether. Lynda, yes, that hits the nail on the head for me! I think that theory is sometimes misunderstood, and when someone pairs that theory with the fact that they see you wiping down a table or having your child wash hands frequently, it becomes a...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Wow, you guys are great! I had absolutely no help from my local school district. I was basically told to home school and was even given a number of a good group that someone knew of etc. I went that path and sometimes regret it. Homeschooling is good, but works better in larger families. My son often felt isolated even though we had lots of outside activities. (soccer, swim team, baseball, guitar) I really feel like things are getting better for the younger ones coming up, but felt my son...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Lynda, This is a great handout. Thanks for your efforts and thank you EVEN MORE listening to some of the feedback here and considering some small changes. I do agree about taking out the "clean theory" info. Folks who aren't dealing with this every day can easily be confused by this and blame the family of the the allergic child for being "too clean." You get comments like "well, maybe you should have let your kid play in the dirt more when he was a baby." If anyone saw the state of my...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Thanks, Carol. We're in the process of updating those sections of the handout. Our graphic designer is on vacation this week. thanks for the suggestion on alternate wording.
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Carol, Love your comments. Oh my gosh, I have had many tell me I should just let mine touch a bit of his allergen or sneak a small pinch into his food to desensitize him. OMG, not outside of a doctor's office or a hospital. Mine would probably die if he had a pinch. Even well meaning people don't always get it. These were neighbors of mine that are grandparents and they suggested this "cure" to me. Funny, how the general public can cure food allergies for us all and the medical community...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Thanks Lynda! I'm looking forward to seeing the revised handout! I think it will end up being perfect to hand out to teachers and parents!!
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
I'm in tears while reading this. It's perfect. THANK YOU for listening and revising. I finally have something to hand out to teachers and parents!
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
I agree with DashiMom. I have had many people respond to my worries with ....he will be okay....we have his epi-pen. Then I have to go and explain how food allergies and asthma combined aren't always fixed with a dose or two of an epi-pen. I really think people just look at me then as if I have two heads or I am just plain nuts. Thanks for updating and addressing so many things Lynda, but that is a great idea as a final note on any future revisions. This is so much better than anything I had...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
I should have it for you later today!
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Kate, it's ready. Just open this thread, and the download button in the initial blog post will link to the revised handout file.
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Lynda, The revised hand out if much improved from the original, thank you for taking all our feedback into consideration. If there are any subsequent revisions, please consider also including a statement that lets readers know that epinephrine is not always effective in halting anaphylaxis, so strict avoidance of allergens is critical. There seems to be a misunderstanding that there is an epinephrine safety net: If a child does have a severe reaction, just give him epinephrine, anaphylaxis...
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Lynda, Do you know when the revised handout will be available? Our school would like to distribute this to the greater school community to help explain the need for policy changes, but we would like to send out the updated version. Thanks! Kate
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Hi Bia, I just got the updated version from the graphic designer a half hour ago. Once it's proofread, if no further changes are needed, I will post it here, probably tomorrow. Thanks! Lynda
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
GREAT! Thanks so much! You all make my life so much easier!
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Hi, Thanks again for doing this, but I wanted to bring a problem to your attention about downloading the handout. If you click the image, the current (August) version comes up. However, if you select "attachments" and then click the pdf file listed under "files", the July version comes up.
Comment
Re: What's the Big Deal about Food Allergies? (Free Community Handout)
Thanks for letting us know!
Blog Post
Tips to Safely Celebrate Christmas with Food Allergies
AT HOME: While most children are excited about the prospect of gifts under the tree, it‘s helpful to remind them why you are celebrating and to reinforce your family’s beliefs. It is also a wonderful time to create your own...
