How Busy Moms Can Increase Food Allergy Awareness Every Day
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Have you ever had a bad experience with food allergies? I’m thinking about times when someone doesn’t understand, or your child is left out, or there’s just an overall lack of awareness?
If so, this episode is for you. I’m sharing a heartbreaking story that we went through and how I’m now looking back to focus on the positives, and also use it to increase food allergy awareness in the future.
Not only that but if you’re listening to this when it drops, this is food allergy awareness week!
I know that most food allergy mamas are simply surviving when it comes to food allergy management, and although you want to increase food allergy awareness, it can feel like it isn’t doable in this busy season.
So, in this episode, I’ll share some insight into small things you probably already do that will make a HUGE food allergy awareness impact and improve your child’s quality of life.
It doesn’t have to be big to make a huge impact! So you can drop the guilt and see how these small acts will add up huge over time.
Let’s get to it!
Food Allergy Awareness Is Desperately Needed
I want to share a story that happened to us a while back. Stick with me here because I think you’ll get a lot from this.
😢 I remember having to fight back tears, and I hoped my daughters wouldn’t see...
I still remember it so well because it made a big impression on me.
We were at one of our favorite restaurants.. We had taken the first sip of our drinks (pop for the kids because they don’t get it at home), and we were about to order our meals.
We gave them the regular run down on my daughter’s allergy order. Only this time the waitress didn’t respond like usual. This time she said,
“Unfortunately, we don’t know the ingredients in foods that are made outside our facility and so we don’t know if there are allergens in the meals.”
I tried to tell her,
“They’ve checked ingredients for us in the past.” but she said,
“We don’t do that anymore”.
I objected because it just seemed so odd from what we came to expect. “Are you sure? Can you check with the Chef?”
“Of course,” she said and left us to feel increasingly upset, and we wondered, How could things change like this?
When she returned she told us the same story.
I responded, “if you’re not sure about the ingredients in your menu, then we’ll have to leave.” She said that was fine and not to worry about paying for the drinks we had already started. 💔
My heart was crushed, and I was trying to keep it together.
I remember walking out with tears in my eyes, but hoping my daughters wouldn’t see. Thank goodness for the sunglasses in my purse. 😢
That night we went to another restaurant, but the sting of leaving the other didn’t go away for a while. It felt unfair and it hurt.
So why do I tell you this? I mean it doesn’t seem like the most positive story.
But I want you to know that this is the balance of living life with food allergies & staying safe. I want you to know that we CAN live life like everyone else with research and preparation. WE CAN go to restaurants and travel and do all the things, But unfortunately, there are still days when we get let down too.
But the important thing is, how do we get back up and how do we deal with it?
So let’s talk about how to keep positive, even when these hard things happen…
First of all, we need to remember the truth of this world. Unfortunately,. let-downs happen to everybody. Everybody is dealing with something and even though it seems like it’s harder for our families with food allergies, we can’t deceive ourselves into thinking that we are the only ones with hardships. It’s just not in the same way, but other people have hard things to deal with too.
Second, I think it’s important to think about how we react to those letdowns.
Do we let it deter us from doing things and living life, or do we use it as a learning experience and continue to persevere?
This food allergy life is really hard, and I think it’s important that we get back up after we experience hard things.
Honestly, In our story, as hard as it was, I can now say that it was good that we knew they couldn’t cook safely for my daughter, and I’m thankful that they told us the truth rather than telling us what we wanted to hear & endangering my daughter. It’s important to remember that in the big scheme of things.
Of course, it would be nice if every restaurant took food allergies seriously, and that’s how it SHOULD be, because there’s more food allergy awareness needed everywhere.
Food Allergy Awareness Week is a Chance for the Allergy Community To Work Together
This is why I love Food Allergy Awareness Week! This is our chance to make a change together as a community.
Honestly, increased awareness comes from the food allergy community pushing for change. BUT it doesn’t have to be in a HUGE campaign or a political change.
I mean, it can be, and that is awesome too, but sometimes as food allergy mamas you’re just surviving and it may not be possible to do those big campaigns right now.
So I encourage the whole food allergy community because I think small things can make a BIG change if we do it TOGETHER. And it doesn’t have to be forceful or awkward or hard.
Instead, it can be done by speaking up kindly and working with others.
Because of the story I shared earlier, I will use the example of a restaurant and dining out, but this can be used in many situations like social events, at school, with friends, and almost anywhere.
Let’s be real, sometimes it seems easier to stay quiet and think, I don’t want to rock the boat or make waves. We can choose to eat at home and that is ok too.
BUT HERE’s THE THING…
even if a restaurant doesn’t accommodate our needs, just asking the questions will increase food allergy awareness in general.
For example, asking questions at a restaurant lets them know that food allergies exist. Because when we call them and ask for the manager and talk about food allergies, the manager starts to see that food allergies are common. The more people do it, the more it shows the restaurants that they can’t ignore food allergies.
They’ll see they need to deal with it somehow because they get those questions. And, if they can’t answer those questions well because they don’t have good policies in place, they will lose business. The more this becomes apparent, the more those restaurant managers and owners will move toward change.
This goes for school too. I’ve talked about this in a past episode, which I’ll link in the show notes, but it’s so important to educate your teacher about food allergies, no matter what allergies you have, whether you’re doing a 504 plan or not. Educating your teacher will improve food allergy awareness, one teacher at a time. If we all do it together, we will soon have whole schools that think about food allergies in a safer, more inclusive way.
This is why I encourage you not to worry about bothering someone, and to ask questions, even if you feel nervous. You’re not just asking for your child. What you’re doing is creating more awareness, knowledge, and accommodations for your child AND the whole food allergy community together.
Of course, be kind, but if they can’t answer questions well, let them know you won’t be able to come to their restaurant.
And I want to emphasize that this doesn’t just work for restaurants. We can increase awareness in many circumstances, just by asking questions at school, at social events, at church or anywhere we’re going in our daily lives.
Just imagine if every single person who hears this podcast asks questions at one restaurant or business, or church, it all adds up!
Because when you ask questions, you educate. And one more person you educate is one more person who understands.
So Keep going, you are making a huge difference for your child and the whole community.
Don’t forget, small actions can lead to a BIG change!
Conclusion
If you’re wondering what questions to ask restaurants schools or social events, check out my workshops.
These workshops were created to guide you through the process because I take you by the hand and help you figure out what works for your family and what questions to ask.
There are several workshops to choose from and they include things from navigating school to Dining Out With Food Allergies to Food Allergy Travel.
Each of my workshops has either a workbook or a template that helps you feel confident asking questions and deciding what is the right choice for your family.
More importantly, these workshops help you find the courage to keep going and keep advocating and especially help you keep your child safe and improve their quality of life for the future too.
Consider it like having a helpful older sister who’s done the hard work for you!
Go to see if there's a workshop or template that will help you get through an allergy struggle you’re dealing with right now, TODAY.
Because you don’t have to do it alone!
