My parents told me there was a time when you could smoke inside hospitals, even in the maternity ward. This sounds crazy to most, but that is how it used to be. You could smoke at your desk, in restaurants, airplanes, schools, etc. Studies show that second hand smoke can cause cancer, which can lead to death. So why is it so absurd that I ask you to refrain from eating anything containing peanuts and tree nuts around my child? I am not asking to ban peanuts and tree nuts everywhere, but if there are bans in certain areas then why can't people accept it? How is this different from a smoking ban in public places? Some people may not like the smoking bans, but they have accepted it. I don't see people fighting and protesting for their so-called "smoking rights" in these places. Is it because we have all lost someone to cancer? Is this why it is ok to ask you not to blow smoke in my face? Do we really need more deaths to show how serious food allergies are?
Yes, I know my child's world will never be completely peanut and nut free or smoke free, but why is it so ridiculous to some that I do not want my son around his food allergens? Shouldn't we all want to protect our children from any harm whether it is severe or minor? Is it really necessary for me to prove to you that my son is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts? Do you really want to see him have an allergic reaction? Here, let me show you how my son's eyes swell shut when he comes into contact with peanut butter. Really? I am over people looking at me like I am the crazy one. How would you feel if I come to a children's play place smoking cigarettes and carrying a gun? Would you and your child feel uncomfortable? Just a tad bit? Hmmmmmmm. So stop looking at me like I am the crazy one. You are for not understanding.
Non-food allergic parents also need to stop telling me to home school my child. I have a better solution.... If nuts are not banned from your child's school then I think all of the kids that choose to pack peanut and nuts for lunch can sit at a designated table for them. After all, they have a choice as to whether or not they want to pack peanuts or nuts. My child doesn't have a choice because his food allergy is a serious medical condition. So instead of excluding and isolating my child at the peanut and nut free table, I think kids packing peanuts and nuts can sit at a table strictly for those choosing to pack that for lunch. And if you don't like it then maybe you should home school your child. How does this sound to you? Well, it doesn't go over well with me either. Guess what, my child has a right to attend school just like any other child with or without a disability. And in case you didn't know this food allergies are considered a disability under section 504 of the rehabilitation act. So your child not being able to pack a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is not considered a violation of your rights. In these situations, the only rights being violated here are the rights of the food allergic child.
If you are a food allergic parent, there are a few statements that come across as being really insensitive and just plain annoying. One being, "What is the big deal, your child has a couple hives." "When I was a kid I used to get hives from X, Y and Z." Hey, not the same thing! These hives can be a sign of a life threatening reaction called anaphylaxis, which can lead to death. But unlike cancer, anaphylaxis can move and spread rapidly and kill instantly.
If you are a non-food allergic parent and someone asks you to make a very minor sacrifice to keep his or her loved one safe, what would you do? I would hope that you could understand and be willing to help out. Wouldn't you want the same for your child if they were the one with the food allergy? I would hope so. I am not saying that a peanut and nut ban is the solution, but I do think people need to be more understanding and willing to protect any child with any kind of food allergy.
Yes, I know my child's world will never be completely peanut and nut free or smoke free, but why is it so ridiculous to some that I do not want my son around his food allergens? Shouldn't we all want to protect our children from any harm whether it is severe or minor? Is it really necessary for me to prove to you that my son is allergic to peanuts and tree nuts? Do you really want to see him have an allergic reaction? Here, let me show you how my son's eyes swell shut when he comes into contact with peanut butter. Really? I am over people looking at me like I am the crazy one. How would you feel if I come to a children's play place smoking cigarettes and carrying a gun? Would you and your child feel uncomfortable? Just a tad bit? Hmmmmmmm. So stop looking at me like I am the crazy one. You are for not understanding.
Non-food allergic parents also need to stop telling me to home school my child. I have a better solution.... If nuts are not banned from your child's school then I think all of the kids that choose to pack peanut and nuts for lunch can sit at a designated table for them. After all, they have a choice as to whether or not they want to pack peanuts or nuts. My child doesn't have a choice because his food allergy is a serious medical condition. So instead of excluding and isolating my child at the peanut and nut free table, I think kids packing peanuts and nuts can sit at a table strictly for those choosing to pack that for lunch. And if you don't like it then maybe you should home school your child. How does this sound to you? Well, it doesn't go over well with me either. Guess what, my child has a right to attend school just like any other child with or without a disability. And in case you didn't know this food allergies are considered a disability under section 504 of the rehabilitation act. So your child not being able to pack a peanut butter and jelly sandwich is not considered a violation of your rights. In these situations, the only rights being violated here are the rights of the food allergic child.
If you are a food allergic parent, there are a few statements that come across as being really insensitive and just plain annoying. One being, "What is the big deal, your child has a couple hives." "When I was a kid I used to get hives from X, Y and Z." Hey, not the same thing! These hives can be a sign of a life threatening reaction called anaphylaxis, which can lead to death. But unlike cancer, anaphylaxis can move and spread rapidly and kill instantly.
If you are a non-food allergic parent and someone asks you to make a very minor sacrifice to keep his or her loved one safe, what would you do? I would hope that you could understand and be willing to help out. Wouldn't you want the same for your child if they were the one with the food allergy? I would hope so. I am not saying that a peanut and nut ban is the solution, but I do think people need to be more understanding and willing to protect any child with any kind of food allergy.
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