My food allergies to milk, eggs, peanuts, and tree nuts have influenced every second of my life. I even know someone personally that died from an allergic reaction. So during my freshman year I started a blog that focuses on how I cope with everyday struggles of living with food allergies. Through this blog, I am able to express a side of me that may be unfamiliar. At first the primary purpose of exposing my inner thoughts was to make people more aware of what it's like to be a teen with allergies; however, the feedback I got was mostly from parents thanking me for helping them understand their children better. It has been amazing connecting with people just like me via my blog www.foodallergyteen.com
Here's one of my blog posts!
Daring To Eat Out
February 5, 2012 by Food Allergy Teen
Today my family decided to go out for a quick lunch. The decision of whether or not to go actually took longer than my meal itself (that is if French fries are considered a meal). We rarely go out to eat because it’s just too difficult. I never really find anything I can eat and, for that matter, will eat because I’m picky. On top of the ‘what can I eat’ stress, and the ‘who sat here before me’ stress, I also have to watch both my little brothers’ every move to make sure they don’t stick a finger in my stepdad’s tuna wrap or lick one of my French fries then put it back. Yes, today we dared to eat out.
So, when we arrived at the diner, my four-year old brother Zach asked me to carry him out of the car. Can’t resist him – too cute. And, being the incredibly responsible person that I am, I asked him if he washed his hands after the cheese stick I saw him eating at home. To my surprise, he told me he did. Lots and lots of kisses followed by lots and lots of blotches all over my face. But, who could blame the kid – he told the truth. He did wash his hands. He just didn’t wash his face. So two minutes at the diner and counting, I hadn’t even ordered anything yet, and I am already dealing with ‘it.’ My face was really itchy but I’ve learned sometimes these things pass (it was, after all, an external reaction – I definitely didn’t eat anything yet). I didn’t want take a Benadryl just yet.
My mom begged me to put cream on my face. Nope, not yet mom. She pleaded with me to go to the bathroom and just look at my face. Nope, I’m fine mom, sit down and order, you’re embarrassing me. I’m fine. Then she dragged me to the bathroom anyway. Lots of blotches. Think I’ll put some Benadryl cream on that. But like any other teenager, I am stubborn. And sort of proud of it. I want to make my own decisions about me. So when my mom does it for me, sometimes I fight. Just for the sake of declaring that I am in charge of me. I knew I should’ve listened to her. It could have saved me the aggravation and embarrassment of being wrong. Again. Yeah, I should’ve listened to her. Maybe next time? Probably not. I’m a teenager. I’m going to stick to what I think until someone proves me wrong.
Daring To Eat Out
February 5, 2012 by Food Allergy Teen
Today my family decided to go out for a quick lunch. The decision of whether or not to go actually took longer than my meal itself (that is if French fries are considered a meal). We rarely go out to eat because it’s just too difficult. I never really find anything I can eat and, for that matter, will eat because I’m picky. On top of the ‘what can I eat’ stress, and the ‘who sat here before me’ stress, I also have to watch both my little brothers’ every move to make sure they don’t stick a finger in my stepdad’s tuna wrap or lick one of my French fries then put it back. Yes, today we dared to eat out.
So, when we arrived at the diner, my four-year old brother Zach asked me to carry him out of the car. Can’t resist him – too cute. And, being the incredibly responsible person that I am, I asked him if he washed his hands after the cheese stick I saw him eating at home. To my surprise, he told me he did. Lots and lots of kisses followed by lots and lots of blotches all over my face. But, who could blame the kid – he told the truth. He did wash his hands. He just didn’t wash his face. So two minutes at the diner and counting, I hadn’t even ordered anything yet, and I am already dealing with ‘it.’ My face was really itchy but I’ve learned sometimes these things pass (it was, after all, an external reaction – I definitely didn’t eat anything yet). I didn’t want take a Benadryl just yet.
My mom begged me to put cream on my face. Nope, not yet mom. She pleaded with me to go to the bathroom and just look at my face. Nope, I’m fine mom, sit down and order, you’re embarrassing me. I’m fine. Then she dragged me to the bathroom anyway. Lots of blotches. Think I’ll put some Benadryl cream on that. But like any other teenager, I am stubborn. And sort of proud of it. I want to make my own decisions about me. So when my mom does it for me, sometimes I fight. Just for the sake of declaring that I am in charge of me. I knew I should’ve listened to her. It could have saved me the aggravation and embarrassment of being wrong. Again. Yeah, I should’ve listened to her. Maybe next time? Probably not. I’m a teenager. I’m going to stick to what I think until someone proves me wrong.
This is an article written about me when my blog was featured in Scholastic magazine!