No Nuts Moms Group
Follow us
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Videos
  • Allergy Friendly Sites
  • Groups
  • Foods to Avoid

A Difficult Month for the Food Allergy Community

3/22/2013

2 Comments

 
March has been a difficult month for the food allergy community.  At the beginning of the month, we found out that on February 20th a bright and beautiful Michigan native at the age of 27 suffered a severe reaction to a peanut allergy while visiting Las Vegas.  Chantel Giacalone is currently in a coma in a Las Vegas hospital. Our thoughts and prayers are with her and her family.  Soon after, we learned the heart breaking news of 19 year old Cameron Groezinger Fitzpatrick and shortly after we heard about the shocking and mysterious loss of 12 year old Maia Santarelli-Gallo.  We will never know what these families are truly feeling, but for most of us these stories are our worst fears.  This is something that none of us should ever have to go through and hopefully never will.  But these stories are also lessons and if we turn a blind eye then they will never end.   

When we hear these stories, it is perfectly normal for all of us to have a level of sadness, fear and anxiety, but if these feelings are consuming you and your family's life then it is time to take a break.  We all need to take care of ourselves first and foremost, otherwise you won't be able to take care of the ones that you love.  We want to be our child's protector, but we can't do that if we are falling apart.

I recently attended the FACES of Michigan meeting and the topic was anxiety and allergies.  Dr. K.C. Lazzara who is a licensed psychologist was our guest speaker.  He gave us some great tips and also an opportunity to look deep within ourselves and find ways to improve how we handle our fears and our children's food allergies.  One tip was limiting your displays of distress around your children.  We shouldn't introduce our worries into the food allergy mix.  He stated that a mother's mood sets the tone for the entire house.  All of us laughed in the room because we all know that this is so true. So if we are feeling scared and anxious then everyone within our four walls will also feel the same way.  Dr. Lazzara also stated that one of the biggest factors that effects anxiety is lack of sleep and I am sure we all can use some extra Zzzzzz's. 

If you are ever having an overwhelming sense of fear and anxiety, you may benefit from speaking to a professional.  Never ever feel ashamed or embarrassed for wanting to better yourself.  There are so many great resources out there for us.  One of those is Food Allergy Coach.  I am sure you are very familiar with the blogs and facebook pages of  Sloane MIller and Gina Clowes, but you may not  know that they are food allergy coaches and consultants. If you are interested in finding a Food Allergy Coach, click here.

I have listed some other resources that may be helpful:
Calm Clinic

Scared to Eat: Conquering Anxiety and Food Allergies
Your Child and Food Allergy Fears

Allergy Moms: Let’s Resolve to Stress Less and Schedule in Real Life
Find a Food Allergy Coach
2 Comments
Gratefulfoodie link
4/15/2013 03:14:09 pm

Excellent and valauble article! Sleep is so much more important than we tend to realize. I know tired driving is just as bad, if not worse than drunk driving.

I appreciated that you also included resources for families to find support too! GREAT work...as always!

Reply
Lisa Rutter
4/15/2013 09:51:16 pm

Thank you!!

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Lisa Rutter
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    504 Plan
    Airlines
    Allergy
    Anaphylaxis
    Baseball
    Epinephrine
    Epipen
    Food
    Food Allergies
    Medical Bracelet
    Nut Free
    Nuts
    Oral Immunotherapy (OIT)
    Organizations
    Peanut Free
    Peanuts
    Schools

    Categories

    All
    504 Plan
    Airlines
    Allergy
    Anaphylaxis
    Baseball
    Epinephrine
    Epipen
    Food
    Food Allergies
    Medical Bracelet
    Nut Free
    Nuts
    Oral Immunotherapy (OIT)
    Organizations
    Peanut Free
    Peanuts
    Schools

    Archives

    January 2019
    October 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    December 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011

    RSS Feed

Powered by Create your own unique website with customizable templates.