Okay, sorry about last week. I didn't post, and this week is kind of a weird post. It isn't something that's about food allergies, but it will be a big help in the future for my posts.
I would like your advice on what I should post about! Say you want to know about something that I haven't posted about. If you want to learn more about that topic, you can either leave it in the comment section below, or you can e-mail me (if you know my e-mail address). It would be more convenient if you told me your idea(s) through the computer because if you tell me in person, I will probably forget to write about it.
I can't wait to hear all of your great ideas!
Sunday, April 20, 2014
Sunday, April 6, 2014
What Do YOU Think?
There's been a question going around. This is the question:
How old should a kid be to carry his/her own medications?
Well, first of all it depends on how responsible the child is. In my opinion, a little kid shouldn't be allowed to carry a drug. I think this because it's not safe for someone not very experienced to carry around a shot. Plus, if an older kid loses a lot of things, it probably isn't the best idea to trust them with something so important.
Something else to consider is how many after-school activities the child has. If they have an activity, such as cross country, where they'll be moving around a lot, the child, coach, and his/her parents will need to discuss if carrying an Epi-pen is appropriate. I carry my medications in a fancy little belt that I can buckle around my waist while I'm running. There's a picture of that handy little bag below.
Another point is if any of the kid's allergens are around during an after-school activity, school, etc. If there will be and the kid is going to be with adults that don't know how to use an Epi-pen, it is essential that the kid carries the medicine!
One, actually two more things to think about. If the child wants to carry the Epi-pen around all the time or just some of the time is up to him/her. I carry mine around almost all the time. Lastly, HOW DO YOU CARRY A DRUG??!! Actually, there are lots of choices. You can carry it in your purse if you are a little older and actually carry a purse or bag. But what I use (as mentioned above) is a pink belt. I just think it's the easiest option.
So, my final answer is that it all depends on what's above. I hope this was helpful to you. Please leave a comment on what YOU think below!
How old should a kid be to carry his/her own medications?
Well, first of all it depends on how responsible the child is. In my opinion, a little kid shouldn't be allowed to carry a drug. I think this because it's not safe for someone not very experienced to carry around a shot. Plus, if an older kid loses a lot of things, it probably isn't the best idea to trust them with something so important.
Something else to consider is how many after-school activities the child has. If they have an activity, such as cross country, where they'll be moving around a lot, the child, coach, and his/her parents will need to discuss if carrying an Epi-pen is appropriate. I carry my medications in a fancy little belt that I can buckle around my waist while I'm running. There's a picture of that handy little bag below.
Another point is if any of the kid's allergens are around during an after-school activity, school, etc. If there will be and the kid is going to be with adults that don't know how to use an Epi-pen, it is essential that the kid carries the medicine!
One, actually two more things to think about. If the child wants to carry the Epi-pen around all the time or just some of the time is up to him/her. I carry mine around almost all the time. Lastly, HOW DO YOU CARRY A DRUG??!! Actually, there are lots of choices. You can carry it in your purse if you are a little older and actually carry a purse or bag. But what I use (as mentioned above) is a pink belt. I just think it's the easiest option.
So, my final answer is that it all depends on what's above. I hope this was helpful to you. Please leave a comment on what YOU think below!
Me running with
my pink belt mentioned above.
Perfect for carrying my medicine!
Sunday, March 23, 2014
Lunch Situation
In the previous post, I wrote about snack in the classroom and how I handle it. Well, today I'm going to talk about lunch the same way I did for snack!
Lunch has a few more challenges than snack, because kids are allowed to bring in whatever food they want. To keep me safe, I eat at the end of the table so the lunch/recess aids can keep an eye on me. I also eat lunch and keep my lunchbox on a tray. The tray is bright red and it has my name on it. Unlike the navy blue trays the school lunches come on, mine looks different so everyone can tell it apart. Anyone can sit next to me or across from me, even if they have one of my allergens.
Kids act extra cautious when I ask them to sit next to me. They usually say something like "No, I have cheese on my sandwich. I don't want to kill you!" I tell them then, "You won't kill me. Just don't touch me and I'll be fine." I just have to explain it to them. Then they understand.
Of course, I have to have a plan on what I would do if something spills on me. Usually, that doesn't happen. But it has. What I do is I go to the nurse, wash it off, and get some medicine, called Benadryl, on the spot that my allergen touched me. That's all there is to it!
In the past few years, I've sat at the special peanut-free table. But, then I couldn't sit with any on my friends. In older school years, I've sat with my tray, but nobody could sit next to or across from me. So, I like it the way it is this year because my friends can sit with me.
Who knows what it'll be like when I leave elementary school and go to the middle school next year. New challenges await me. But for now, I've got plenty of challenges in 6th grade. Talk to you later!
Lunch has a few more challenges than snack, because kids are allowed to bring in whatever food they want. To keep me safe, I eat at the end of the table so the lunch/recess aids can keep an eye on me. I also eat lunch and keep my lunchbox on a tray. The tray is bright red and it has my name on it. Unlike the navy blue trays the school lunches come on, mine looks different so everyone can tell it apart. Anyone can sit next to me or across from me, even if they have one of my allergens.
Kids act extra cautious when I ask them to sit next to me. They usually say something like "No, I have cheese on my sandwich. I don't want to kill you!" I tell them then, "You won't kill me. Just don't touch me and I'll be fine." I just have to explain it to them. Then they understand.
Of course, I have to have a plan on what I would do if something spills on me. Usually, that doesn't happen. But it has. What I do is I go to the nurse, wash it off, and get some medicine, called Benadryl, on the spot that my allergen touched me. That's all there is to it!
In the past few years, I've sat at the special peanut-free table. But, then I couldn't sit with any on my friends. In older school years, I've sat with my tray, but nobody could sit next to or across from me. So, I like it the way it is this year because my friends can sit with me.
Who knows what it'll be like when I leave elementary school and go to the middle school next year. New challenges await me. But for now, I've got plenty of challenges in 6th grade. Talk to you later!
Sunday, March 16, 2014
Snack Situation
Hi guys! Sorry I haven't written since December. I guess you could say I've been a bit busy with the holidays and school.
In 6th grade, we have snack-time right after that day's special class: P.E. (gym), art, music, or media (library). Of course, students aren't allowed to bring in chocolates, goldfish, trail mix, cheese puffs, etc. So, how my teacher, my parents and I keep me safe is that we made a snack list. The list had treats and foods that the class is allowed to bring in. Each snack, from fresh fruit to gummy snacks, my mom had specified what brand(s) are safe and what brands aren't. She's talked to each of my teachers since first grade (or possibly before that!) and worked out a way to maintain the kids bringing in safe food for eating. The way it is this year is my teacher stands outside in the hallway, close to the door of the classroom, with me. As kids get their snacks from their locker and walk into the room, I check to make sure that the snack is safe. If I know it isn't, I say, "Save it for lunch time!" If I'm not sure about the food, then I read the ingredient label to determine if it has anything bad in it. If it doesn't have an ingredient label, then I say, "Nope, sorry, not allowed!" When we have a substitute teacher, I do the same thing as if the real teacher was there, but I do it completely on my own.
So, sometimes snacks are a challenge, but I can handle it!
In 6th grade, we have snack-time right after that day's special class: P.E. (gym), art, music, or media (library). Of course, students aren't allowed to bring in chocolates, goldfish, trail mix, cheese puffs, etc. So, how my teacher, my parents and I keep me safe is that we made a snack list. The list had treats and foods that the class is allowed to bring in. Each snack, from fresh fruit to gummy snacks, my mom had specified what brand(s) are safe and what brands aren't. She's talked to each of my teachers since first grade (or possibly before that!) and worked out a way to maintain the kids bringing in safe food for eating. The way it is this year is my teacher stands outside in the hallway, close to the door of the classroom, with me. As kids get their snacks from their locker and walk into the room, I check to make sure that the snack is safe. If I know it isn't, I say, "Save it for lunch time!" If I'm not sure about the food, then I read the ingredient label to determine if it has anything bad in it. If it doesn't have an ingredient label, then I say, "Nope, sorry, not allowed!" When we have a substitute teacher, I do the same thing as if the real teacher was there, but I do it completely on my own.
So, sometimes snacks are a challenge, but I can handle it!
Sunday, December 22, 2013
My Food Allergy Book
This is my book. It has lots of information in it. I made it in 5th grade. Sorry about the spelling/grammar mistakes!
Friday, December 6, 2013
Where You Least Expect It
One day, my mom was looking at face washes in a store. She chose a face wash and started to read the ingredient label. She reads EVERY label. Some of you might think that it's not necessary to read labels on things like face washes, but it's a good thing my mom did read the ingredients! The second ingredient on the list were crushed walnut shells. Walnuts are a type of tree nut, and I'm severely allergic to tree nuts!
I'm touch sensitive, which means when one of my allergens, such as milk, touches my skin, I have an allergic reaction. Usually I just get rashes and occasionally ecxema (an extra itchy rash with a bump in the middle), so I don't have to go to the hospital or even take my Epi-pen. If my mom hadn't read the ingredient label on that face wash, there wound've been some pretty gross consequences. My face probably wound've gone bright red, itchy, and splotchy, although the symptoms could be anything. Note to all people with food allergies: Read all ingredient labels!
I'm touch sensitive, which means when one of my allergens, such as milk, touches my skin, I have an allergic reaction. Usually I just get rashes and occasionally ecxema (an extra itchy rash with a bump in the middle), so I don't have to go to the hospital or even take my Epi-pen. If my mom hadn't read the ingredient label on that face wash, there wound've been some pretty gross consequences. My face probably wound've gone bright red, itchy, and splotchy, although the symptoms could be anything. Note to all people with food allergies: Read all ingredient labels!
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
What's hardest
Many things are hard in a food allergy perspective. Here are some of them.
One of the challenges I face are parties. At sleepovers, kids eat and eat whenever. Those foods aren't safe, plus the cake and dinner. To keep me safe there, I make sure to bring a safe dinner and a cupcake for me to that person's house. I also remember to bring my medicines and keep then in a safe spot. My parents and I inform the friend's mom about my food allergies, and they make sure to stay alert.
Another hard situation I've been in is checking ingredient labels. If I'm at school, a friend's house, or another place, and I don't know if a food is safe, then I can't tell.Usually I would just ask my mom to check the ingredients for me. So, what I would do if I wasn't sure about a food, I would just skip it. It's no big deal, knowing that there are lots of other delicious foods that I can have.
The final challenge that I'm going to share is a when people pressure me to say "Yes, this food is safe.". In school, I have to make sure everyone's snack is safe. Sometimes, there is a snack that I'm not sure of, and the person wants me to say that the snack is safe. What I do is say ,"Better safe than sorry!" and move on. After all, it's just a snack, so it's not bad that I'm telling them that. They can eat it at lunch.
As you can see, I do have many challenges in my life, but I can get through them.
One of the challenges I face are parties. At sleepovers, kids eat and eat whenever. Those foods aren't safe, plus the cake and dinner. To keep me safe there, I make sure to bring a safe dinner and a cupcake for me to that person's house. I also remember to bring my medicines and keep then in a safe spot. My parents and I inform the friend's mom about my food allergies, and they make sure to stay alert.
Another hard situation I've been in is checking ingredient labels. If I'm at school, a friend's house, or another place, and I don't know if a food is safe, then I can't tell.Usually I would just ask my mom to check the ingredients for me. So, what I would do if I wasn't sure about a food, I would just skip it. It's no big deal, knowing that there are lots of other delicious foods that I can have.
The final challenge that I'm going to share is a when people pressure me to say "Yes, this food is safe.". In school, I have to make sure everyone's snack is safe. Sometimes, there is a snack that I'm not sure of, and the person wants me to say that the snack is safe. What I do is say ,"Better safe than sorry!" and move on. After all, it's just a snack, so it's not bad that I'm telling them that. They can eat it at lunch.
As you can see, I do have many challenges in my life, but I can get through them.
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