Thank you for suggesting a talk topic!
We appreciate your thoughts in making our community even better.
Join Lori Sandler, Gina Clowes founder of Allergy Moms, www.allergymoms.com, Barbara Rosenstein from the Food Allergy Initiative, www.faiusa.org (the world's largest private source of funding for food allergy research), and Maria Acebal from The Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network, www.foodallergy.org and a great team of co-hosts to talk about getting your child safely settled into school, and working with your school to keep your child safe and included. We'll talk about reasonable accommodations in schools for children with allergies and how you can get them.
| Related Links:
FoodAllergy.org |

Featured Guest
Gina Clowes
Tell the truth. Never exaggerate. The truth is scary enough.
about 1 year agoSabrina Shannons Story as told by her mother:
http://www.allergymoms.com/modules/wordpress/index.php?p=1005
BJ Hom’s story:
http://www.allergymoms.com/modules/wordpress/index.php?p=818
Kim
I wish I could teach people that it is not OK to offer food to someone else's child! The risk is too high, it makes the child upset, and scares parents.
about 1 year agoEBrady
And honestly, it shoudl be more than about the food allergic students they've already been made aware of! It should ALSO be about those children who are yet to present with LTFA and the ever-escalating numbers. It's about the health and safety of ALL the children.
about 1 year agoEBrady
Yes, shaking head too at the French Toast vs eggs. Still so many folks mistakenly think kids allergic to peanuts won't have problem with actual peaNUTS, but will with "peanut butter" (and vice versa). I have found that one of the FIRST things I try to do is get folks to begin to understand the inherent risk as to serving food to anybody for anything . . . there is such a misperception that food is inherently SAFE, when it really is not (not just LTFA, but bacteria/food prep, etc).
about 1 year agoColette Martin
Kim, you are so right -- the basic ingredients is where it all starts
about 1 year agoKim
Colette, some people have no idea. It's more than just avoid the food...it's anything containing that allergen that's a problem as well.
about 1 year agoFeatured Guest
Gina Clowes
Helping adults “GET” that food allergies are a matter of life and death
about 1 year agohttp://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/70066/helping-allergies
SusanWeissman
I try to communicate on MY time - NOT the teacher's time. I try to find out whether she prefers email, phone calls, her prefered times to discuss non-academic matters. I think showing our teachers that we understand they will use more time and effort on our child's condition goes a long way.
about 1 year agoKim
Awesome! Thank you!
about 1 year agoColette Martin
Kim, it's amazing how many people don't really understand what is in their food. LOL at your french toast example...
about 1 year agoFeatured Guest
Gina Clowes
Protecting your child from food allergies at PreSchool
about 1 year agohttp://www.healthcentral.com/allergy/c/48542/67942/protecting-child
Kim
@mommystory- I feel the same way. Like nobody else understands how serious it is. I've had people tell me "that's why you have an epi-pen". No! We have an epi-pen in case an accident occurs....not because we make a choice to put our child in danger with certain foods. So frustrating!
about 1 year agoKim
Thank you!
about 1 year agoFeatured Guest
mommystory
I understand the anxiety. And it feels awful to think that no one else is taking the allergy as seriously as you. In my case, the school keeps treating my daughter's allergy like it's not real, since it's not life-threatening. It's been an uphill battle making them see that it still must be respected.
about 1 year agoFeatured Guest
Maria @ FAAN
One important thing to remember is all this is a PROCESS. One conversation won't do it. It takes multiple, calm, confident communications.
about 1 year agoFeatured Guest
Gina Clowes
10 Things Children with food allergies want you to know ebook and 90 minute teleclass
about 1 year agohttp://www.allergymoms.com/10things.html
This is a 40 page eBook for any caregiver including teacher, school nurse or administrator. It sheds light on the emotional toll for our children and helps caregivers learn easy ways to include our kids and be sensitive to their needs.
It also includes a 90 minute recording where I coach parents on how to get their child safely settled in school
erica
i feel you have to interview tons until you feel there is one you could work with comfortably.
about 1 year ago