patty56

ALLERGY AWARENESS

Hi, my name is Patty Margalotti and I am the mother of six beautiful children, from 25 years old down to my 'baby' just turned 12 and in the 6th grade.

I have been raising children with food allergies for a long time now.

My son who is 20, is my third oldest child, and the first way back when in our school district to have a severe and life-threatening peanut allergy.

I knew that if a peer touched him after eating peanutbutter, he would be covered in hives.

I was very scared and frustrated, as the administration at that time had never heard of such a thing.

Through the help of the Department of Nursing and Education, and the help of our local legislator, my administration was told that not only was it okay for me to ask that his classmates wash their hands after eating peanutbutter to keep my child safe, but that the entire cafeteria should!

My oldest daughter, came home freshman year at Thanksgiving time, having lost 30 pounds. She looked like walking sticks. At first, I thought that she had become anorexic, but through testing, we discovered that she was no longer able to process and eat gluten.

So, the allergies to food in our family include: My teen-aged son, from 14 months: peanuts/tree nuts/legumes and during his tween / puberty years added in soy and fish and shellfish to the mix.

My youngest, now 12 was allergic to eggs/nuts/tree nuts/legumes from birth. He is alos allergic to apples, coconut, and soy now.

In my forties, I developed a nut/tree nut/fish/apples/oranges allergy. My husband, is diabetic.

Since my eldest son started kindergarten, 13 years ago, a lot of changes have happened. A sharp rise in kids with serious and life-threatening food allergies is now common-place, and so what once was strange, is now the 'norm'. However, not enough education or consideration is being given to our food allergic kids, who just want to 'fit in' and be like everybody else. New studies released reveal the serious and sad emotional effects that being a child with food allergies can bring to them.

On April 8th, 2008, FAAMA (Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Management Act ) of 2008 was passed by the House of Representatives. This bill protects food allergic students and their rights and provides allergy education to schools and restaurants so that unified standards can be met to keep our kids safe.

One day, they will want to eat safely at restaurants as they grow up and go out into the world. That is my next mission.

Sloane Miller, aka 'Allergy Girl' is a great role model for your kids, right up through enterting adulthood. She herself has been coping with food allergies since she was little, and now as an adult, writes books, hosts a blog site and offers food allergy coaching to help them navigate through their lives successfully and 'unstoppably' !

Visit FAAN on the web and click on legislation for more information and support groups in your areas to help you cope with your child's food allergies.

I feel that one day it will be viewed as 'barberic' that elementary aged kids are forced to sit back- to- back with kids eating a pb&j, which can make them sick from the smell, and very nervous when they are little. Also, allowing school celebrations to involve food treats, which leave these kids out? Terrible. Unkind. Period!

On the brighter side, i never used to like to cook, but now, it has been a lot of fun coming up with interesting and tasty recipes to suit the needs of myself and my family.

So, in my blogs i share my different recipes and some tips to encourage and hopefully help those with any kids themselves with food allergies. I also write about the tolls and joys of raising children,and my hubby, that cute guy.

The important passion for me? Getting theword out that food allergies are serious, and for now, incurable and here to stay.

So be a friend to an allergic kid, and don't judge them because they didn't ask to have this, just like any other health issue. Trust me, they'd rather be able to eat at will, just like any one else!

Visit me at examiner.com , where I write articles on parenting issues in other areas concerning tweens and tweens.

God Bless You

Be strong in the Lord and in his great power

-Ephesians :30

God Bless You All

View my latest article on allergies at:examiner.com / family/ parenting issues/patty margalotti

Patty

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