Food Allergy Awareness Supporters (FAAS) posted a special message each day in honor of
Food Allergy Awareness Week, May 13-19, 2012.
Food Allergy Awareness Week, May 13-19, 2012.
Day 1 - May 13, 2012
How fitting to kick-off
Food Allergy Awareness Week on Mother’s
Day!
Here’s to all the food allergy mama’s out there that...
find SAFE foods for their child to eat,
read labels over & over,
wipe hands repeatedly throughout the day,
carries a purse filled with Benadryl, EpiPens & other emergency meds,
who scans, swoops & intervenes to ensure their little ones DON'T put any food in their mouths,
bakes or runs to the store so their child has a special treat that's SAFE,
stands-up for their child's emotional & social well-being,
takes days off work to attend school events & field trips,
thinks outside-of-the-box to solve food-related problems,
sits in the doctor's office, ER & hospital because of food allergies,
consciously chooses their child's health vs. extended family when the risk is too high,
secretly feels the pain, anger & disappoint food imposes on their child,
and stays strong (even on the hardest of days) modeling a "can do" attitude.
YOU deserve a cape that identifies you as SUPER MOM - because in my book, YOU ARE!
Day 2 - May 14, 2012
FAAS is here because food allergies are life-threatening and each one of us have a child/ren with 1 or more food allergies. Our children are part of 5.9 million other children living with food allergies. WATCH & SHARE this short video by FAAS in honor of Food Allergy Awareness Week.
Friends, it's WHY we're here!
Food Allergy Awareness Week Video by FAAS
http://animoto.com/play/v4E6iTVSWY9J7AxP26R8Dw#
Friends, it's WHY we're here!
Food Allergy Awareness Week Video by FAAS
http://animoto.com/play/v4E6iTVSWY9J7AxP26R8Dw#
Day 3 - May 15, 2012
How? How do we find strength in a world filled with food when the consequences could be so devastating for our little ones?
Create a support system that includes a board-certified allergist, make it a family affair to learn and understand food
allergies, and reach out to friends & neighbors. Find the support you need by connecting with food allergy organizations and food allergy support groups, both locally and nationally.
How do you face life with food allergies? The answer is with others who experience it too!
Find an allergist @ http://aaaai.execinc.com/find-an-allergist/
Find a support group @ http://www.foodallergy.org/section/support-groups
Create a support system that includes a board-certified allergist, make it a family affair to learn and understand food
allergies, and reach out to friends & neighbors. Find the support you need by connecting with food allergy organizations and food allergy support groups, both locally and nationally.
How do you face life with food allergies? The answer is with others who experience it too!
Find an allergist @ http://aaaai.execinc.com/find-an-allergist/
Find a support group @ http://www.foodallergy.org/section/support-groups
Day 4 - May 16, 2012
What if?
Parents with children diagnosed with life-threatening food allergies don't just ask "What If" they LIVE "What If", because how pervasive food is in our lives. Educating yourself about food allergies EMPOWERS us to take on "What If" with courage and confidence.
Watch this educational video series by American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) about food
allergies. A medically-based educational series that answers...
If I had a child with lip and tongue swelling after eating peanut butter...
If I had a child with food allergy...
If I Had – Anaphylaxis...
If I Had - A Food Allergy...
AAAAI Video
series link: http://aaaai.execinc.com/videos/Food-Allergy-Videos.asp
Parents with children diagnosed with life-threatening food allergies don't just ask "What If" they LIVE "What If", because how pervasive food is in our lives. Educating yourself about food allergies EMPOWERS us to take on "What If" with courage and confidence.
Watch this educational video series by American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI) about food
allergies. A medically-based educational series that answers...
If I had a child with lip and tongue swelling after eating peanut butter...
If I had a child with food allergy...
If I Had – Anaphylaxis...
If I Had - A Food Allergy...
AAAAI Video
series link: http://aaaai.execinc.com/videos/Food-Allergy-Videos.asp
Day 5 - May 17, 2012
Our mantra is SAFETY 1st!
Minimize Risk + Emergency Treatment = SAFETY
Anaphylaxis is preventable. Avoidance of the food allergen(s) prevents a food allergy reaction. A
comprehensive food allergy management plan is necessary to minimize the risk. Every food consumed must be assessed whether it's reading labels, calling manufacturers, asking the chef about ingredients/food preparation, or simply avoiding it altogether. It requires vigilance in every daily activity. But remember, minimizing the risk does not eliminate risk. Safety does not exist for your child/ren with life-threatening food allergies without being prepared for emergengy treatment. If a reaction occurs, emergency treatment is needed immediately.
It is through this combination, Minimize Risk + Emergency Treatment... SAFETY will keep your child healthy and reaction-free!
Be prepared and teach other caregivers how to administer auto-injected epinephrine!
EpiPen @ https://www.myepipen.com/
Twinject @ http://www.twinject.com/
Minimize Risk + Emergency Treatment = SAFETY
Anaphylaxis is preventable. Avoidance of the food allergen(s) prevents a food allergy reaction. A
comprehensive food allergy management plan is necessary to minimize the risk. Every food consumed must be assessed whether it's reading labels, calling manufacturers, asking the chef about ingredients/food preparation, or simply avoiding it altogether. It requires vigilance in every daily activity. But remember, minimizing the risk does not eliminate risk. Safety does not exist for your child/ren with life-threatening food allergies without being prepared for emergengy treatment. If a reaction occurs, emergency treatment is needed immediately.
It is through this combination, Minimize Risk + Emergency Treatment... SAFETY will keep your child healthy and reaction-free!
Be prepared and teach other caregivers how to administer auto-injected epinephrine!
EpiPen @ https://www.myepipen.com/
Twinject @ http://www.twinject.com/
Day 6 - May 18, 2012
Food Allergies are a Family Affair!
Little ones have a voice too. Still my all-time favorite video told through the eyes of kids...thank you FAI!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzyLv2IKoGA
Food Allergy: A Family Perspective
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab6CXdf48as&feature=related
10 Things Every Child with Food Allergies Wishes You Knew
Video: http://www.slideboom.com/presentations/132950/10things-children-with-food-allergies-want-to-you-know
Document:
http://www.allergymoms.com/uploads/newsletters/everychildwish.html
Little ones have a voice too. Still my all-time favorite video told through the eyes of kids...thank you FAI!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AzyLv2IKoGA
Food Allergy: A Family Perspective
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ab6CXdf48as&feature=related
10 Things Every Child with Food Allergies Wishes You Knew
Video: http://www.slideboom.com/presentations/132950/10things-children-with-food-allergies-want-to-you-know
Document:
http://www.allergymoms.com/uploads/newsletters/everychildwish.html
Day 7 - May 19, 2012
Life Embraced.
"When you are a parent of a food allergy kid, all
you want is a CURE."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNSS1u19TlE
A tribute letter to a child living with food allergies ends this year's Food Allergy Awareness Week, May 13-19, 2012.
Dear Sweet Child,
I am PROUD of you.
You are coureageous in this unpredictable food-filled world.
I respect how you protect your health by participating in the management of your food allergies.
I am in awe of the strength you possess when I see you decline foods and sweets, even though I know you would love to try them or simply belong.
There are moments you must endure that leave you excluded and alone, yet you keep smiling.
Such resilience for such a young soul!
A child should not be expected to be responsible for such life-altering choices on a daily basis.
Yet you are, thank you for taking your food allergies seriously.
You are more than your food allergies, my dear sweet child.
Family and your closest friends see food allergies are only a small part of the amazing individual that you are and will become.
Food Allergy Awareness week is all about YOU, my dear child.
And like you, every time I blow out the candles or wish upon a star,
I wish for a cure for food allergies.
Until then, we will stay SAFE, raise awareness, and embrace life as we know it.
Love,
Mom