Anaphylaxis, it can happen

This week, May 11-17, 2014, is the #FAAW {Food Allergy Awareness week}. Food allergies can occur in anyone and I wanted to write about why I always carry Epi or Epinephrine at all times.

{Photo Credit: Kids with Food Allergies}

Food allergies, for me, did not develop until after the age of 15 or so for me. Don't get me wrong, I have many other allergies. Seasonal, environmental, medication, insects, pollen, and the list goes on. For many, food allergies can occur in children and some may outgrow their allergies. It totally depends on the person. Each case is different. 

Anyways, I did not develop food allergies until around 15. For me, they started as daily hives {later discovered to soy, wheat, and more} and my hands would swell {with shellfish|}. After doing my own research and working with my Allergist, I discovered I had many allergies to foods. Today, a single crumb or morsel can send me into anaphylaxis.

My current list of food allergies includes Soy (all forms), Wheat, Gluten, Tree Nuts, Peanuts, Fish, Shellfish, Modified Starches, and Coconut (all forms). That would be six of the Top 8.

I was thinking I was doing pretty good. I had Epi, I had a list of what I couldn't have, and all was dandy. I was wrong. 

Anaphylaxis happened even though I was careful! 

It happened to cross contamination and soy lecithin as well as fish. I had to use epi as well as have it given to me. Within minutes, my symptoms (hives, swelling, others) lessoned. If it wasn't for epinephrine, I can't think of what today would look like.

Accidents can occur and that is why you always have epi.

A label can be misread and anaphylaxis can occur. That's why you have epi! 

A company doesn't list a warning that items are run on the same lines (since warning labels are voluntary) and anaphylaxis occurs. 

Epinephrine is the only drug that can reverse Anaphylaxis (source). 

If you or someone you know has food allergies or any known anaphylactic allergy, they must carry it on them. 

Epinephrine saves lives. I know, I was one of those lives!

If you give an adult food allergies...

If you give an adult food allergies, they may sulk and feel sorry for themselves about said allergies.

While sulking about food allergies, the adult may seclude themselves.

While in seclusion, they may get lonely and ask for a hug.

While giving them a hug, they may thank you.

While they thank you, you will realize they are just another person.

When you see them as just another person, you will realize they are just like you and I except they can't have x foods since they make them sick.

Living with food allergies isn't the end of the world. However, outsiders, who do not deal with them day in and out, don't always know.

Some are born with food allergies or have them at a young age but others develop them while teenagers or adults.

Food Allergies, however the severe, do not make adults or children alike less human.

I just deal with anaphylaxis and carry an epi pen.

So what?!

I'm still the spunky me and that is
how I want to be treated. I'm human, I have food allergies, & I'm okay with it.

Accept it!

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Ryan Gosling saves my sanity

This week, I was told a local school would be cutting a few students from special education. These students, whom I've worked with extensively, need the services they are getting this year. This infuriates me and makes me worry about them next year, however, I don't have all the facts. BUT, I can tell ya, I will fight for their educational needs. So, without further ado, here's what I think of Ryan Gosling this week.



Want to see more Special Needs Advocacy posts and a little Ryan too? Head over to Extreme Parenthood! Sunday started this meme and is rocking the special needs world!