No GF Pirate Cruise For You*! *If you have a nut allergy, that is!

[Alysa]

Wow - really charming - adding BuckNaked to my ignore list - come on everyone - it's so fun!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

I understand that you are upset because your child will miss the cruise. But I don't understand the depth of your anger. You are upset because they accomodated you before on a different cruise, but will not now. Why not be greatful that they did accomodate you before and understanding when they can't now? The only way they can guarantee no child will have a food allergy to whatever they serve is to not serve food at all, and your statement that that is what they should do is incredibly selfish. I am sorry that your child will not be able to experience everything in life that you want , but to think that because he has limitations no other child should be able to do the things he cannot is just not right. And unless I misread, the BC cruise did not have food, so you are comparing apples to oranges. Not the same kind of cruise, so no fair comparison can be made.

The "depth of my anger?" Excuse me, but do I know you? Do you know me? How angry am I? Do you have some magic way of telling how angry I am through typed words? Who said I was not grateful? Selfish?

THE BC CRUISE DID HAVE FOOD. READ THE WHOLE THREAD BEFORE YOU ATTACK ME. (Now maybe you can tell that I'm angry).

Go away!

 

[BuckNaked]

Wow - really charming - adding BuckNaked to my ignore list - come on everyone - it's so fun!

Cool. If all it takes to be put on ignore is to say that it's unreasonable to expect my family to live a peanut free life at home because two kids at school are allergic, then I'm there!

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Because she wants her little boy to have a GF Pirate Cruise.



Why does he even know about the GF cruise and the problems with it? He wouldn't miss or be disappointed with what he doesn't know about.

Oh, I see. So now I should just not tell him about things? He knows about the cruise bc I told him about it. This is a problem for you? What I tell my son is your concern?

You still haven't gotten a rise out of me, Cass. I'm actually quite amused by your posts.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Yes, exceptions WERE made on both cruises; however, apparently at some point in the last eighteen months (between when one poster was able to get the GF to substitute something else for everyone on the Pirate Cruise, and when the OP tried), Disney consistently does not change its menu on this feature to accommodate peanut allergies.

How do you know this? Do you work for Disney? Have you sailed on every Pirate cruise? Where are you getting your information? Please fill me in.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Yet you had nasty words for the lawyer who made good sense in saying that in this litigious world, Disney needs to protect itself. You can not be blamed for wanting your son to do everything that other kids do but he does have special needs and frankly all special needs can not be accomodated. As a child I was unable to participate in some activities for health reasons. I lived with it and had fun and became a stronger person for it. And if I might not be able to do something, my parents didn't tell me about it before they knew I could be involved.
A few lawsuits and Disney will stop being as accomodating as they are about allergies, they will simply say "we fill the hotels and restaurants and it is not worth it for us to take the chance". I'm sorry for your son but you are disregarding the fact that the chef (AND YES, HE DID SOUND RUDE) was not able to accomodate your son but remember this was not a personal affront to you - they were protecting themselves and your son.

What lawyer? HUH? "A personal affront to me?" When did I ever say that this was about me? Some of you guys still don't get it and obviously never will.

Oh well. I never thought this thread would stir up such controversy. I was upset with the way I was spoken to by the chef, and sad for my son, and was hoping to find some support and inform others about my experience.

That being said, perhaps it IS best that this thread be closed. I will request it right away.

 

[pezpam]

I think the lawyer comment was a result of your post (#9).

(start quote)
After the way I posted here? Do YOU have a food allergic child?
Oh, yes, I am ready to sue.
HUH????
Give me a break.
Must be that NYC air.
Or are you a lawyer?
I take full responsibilty for the decisions I make for my son
(end quote)


While I tend to agree with most of the moms of allergic kids - my DD is in school with a child who has severe reactions and we do check the labels of the foods/snacks she'll take to school while allowing her PB at home and don't feel like it's any imposition considering the possible effect of the PB on her friend - it seems like there is a lot being said on both sides that is either in the heat of the moment or being taken wrong.

At the end of the day, it's not a huge imposition to not send PB to school or have it for breakfast without having your kid brush their teeth - the rest can be dealt with and doesn't require you to maintain a nut-free home. On the other hand, New York air doesn't automatically turn us into people who deserve to have that thrown at them like an insult.......

 

[88Keys]

Against my better judgement, I am going to chime in. To all of those who have children with peanut allergies, I can not possibly imagine carrying around an epi-pen and constantly worrying about their health -- my heart goes out to you and I wish your children a wonderful childhood. I think what has struck me and some of the other posters is that the OP is seemingly quite angry and mentioned that she was in tears because her son can not go on the Pirate Cruise, and my thought is (and please keep this in the spirit in which it is intended) that there are many battles in this world and we all have our personal struggles and not going on this cruise is a small fight to lose. My family is not going on the Pirate Cruise or Princess Tea because it is outside of our budget for this trip. Thank God (or whomever you chose) for the wonderful blessings of your life and try not to let the small things upset you so. Best, Chris

 

[BuckNaked]

IAt the end of the day, it's not a huge imposition to not send PB to school or have it for breakfast without having your kid brush their teeth - the rest can be dealt with and doesn't require you to maintain a nut-free home. On the other hand, New York air doesn't automatically turn us into people who deserve to have that thrown at them like an insult.......

Sorry, but when PB&J is the only sandwich your child wants to eat for lunch (that was our situation at the time), it is a huge imposition. And when you have to read every label, looking for references to anything that MIGHT be a peanut product, that is a huge imposition, IMO.

Much easier to handle it the way our school does, and there have zero problems with the two kids that have stayed in school there.

 

[mattsdragon]

After the way I posted here? Do YOU have a food allergic child?
Oh, yes, I am ready to sue.
HUH????
Give me a break.
Must be that NYC air.
Or are you a lawyer?
I take full responsibilty for the decisions I make for my son.

Actually, you do come across as kind of b****y. And, before you get sarcastic, yes, I do have a food allergy, and have dealt with it my entire life. I may not be completely up to date on the pirate cruise, but couldn't you bring something for you son. I mean, if you're paying for a cruise, I don't think you're really paying for the smuckers crustables. What's the damage if you pack him a bologna and cheese sammich?

 

[pezpam]

Sorry, but when PB&J is the only sandwich your child wants to eat for lunch (that was our situation at the time), it is a huge imposition. And when you have to read every label, looking for references to anything that MIGHT be a peanut product, that is a huge imposition, IMO.

Much easier to handle it the way our school does, and there have zero problems with the two kids that have stayed in school there.

Honestly, if that works for the kids there, that's cool. Our school isn't peanut-free entirely because the allergic child doesn't need that level of protection. Kids who don't actually eat lunch or snack with her don't have to worry about it because she just isn't quite that sensitive.

I also understand that kids go through phases where they only want to eat certain things. I like to think that my daughter would get the message instead of endangering her schoolmate. It's not an easy thing and a lot of parents have been there, but to me, the downside of my daughter not getting PB and refusing a second choice would be that her tummy rumbles and she gets a trip to the principal if she pitches a fit while the downside of her getting it might be a hospital trip or worse for a classmate. No contest there.

On the label topic, though, it's easy now - products are labeled in italics at the end of the ingredient list if they have peanuts or peanut products in them. I've seen other warnings in the same sentence as well - eggs, dairy, etc. No need to wade through all of that jargon and we've always found a wide variety of snack foods that are peanut-free.

 

[BuckNaked]

It's not an easy thing and a lot of parents have been there, but to me, the downside of my daughter not getting PB and refusing a second choice would be that her tummy rumbles and she gets a trip to the principal if she pitches a fit while the downside of her getting it might be a hospital trip or worse for a classmate. No contest there.

And that would certainly be your right and your choice. But no way would I have my child go hungry because of another child's allergy.

On the label topic, though, it's easy now - products are labeled in italics at the end of the ingredient list if they have peanuts or peanut products in them. I've seen other warnings in the same sentence as well - eggs, dairy, etc. No need to wade through all of that jargon and we've always found a wide variety of snack foods that are peanut-free.

Again, why should I have to bother with labels when I don't have an allergic child? Why should my kids be restricted from food and snacks that they like because of another child's allergy? Where exactly does it end?

 

[kaytieeldr]

How do you know this? Do you work for Disney? Have you sailed on every Pirate cruise? Where are you getting your information? Please fill me in.

I'm basing my statements on posts in this thread as I stated originally:

Yes, exceptions WERE made on both cruises; however, apparently at some point in the last eighteen months (between when one poster was able to get the GF to substitute something else for everyone on the Pirate Cruise, and when the OP tried), Disney consistently does not change its menu on this feature to accommodate peanut allergies.

The "depth of my anger?" Excuse me, but do I know you? Do you know me? How angry am I? Do you have some magic way of telling how angry I am through typed words? Who said I was not grateful? Selfish?

Maxiesmom probably has the same 'magic way' of telling how angry someone is through typed words that you do to of telling when somebody is being mean through typed words.

 

[pezpam]

Again, why should I have to bother with labels when I don't have an allergic child? Why should my kids be restricted from food and snacks that they like because of another child's allergy?

Because you're a human being. I assume you'd stop your kid if they were hitting the other child. Why not stop them from doing something potentially fatal?

If the peanut allergy was restricted to what I experience in hay fever season (and as easily solved) then you'd be right. But the proportions are all wrong in your analysis, imho. Possible death outweighs peanut butter. Kids won't let themselves go hungry for long, anyway - they sure won't starve themselves to death........ If the situation at your school isn't that serious and it's working as handled, then all's good - I for one have never said otherwise. If it was more serious and actually did involve a potential fatal reaction, I'd hope you'd rethink.

 

[BuckNaked]

Because you're a human being. I assume you'd stop your kid if they were hitting the other child. Why not stop them from doing something potentially fatal?

If the peanut allergy was restricted to what I experience in hay fever season (and as easily solved) then you'd be right. But the proportions are all wrong in your analysis, imho. Possible death outweighs peanut butter. Kids won't let themselves go hungry for long, anyway - they sure won't starve themselves to death........ If the situation at your school isn't that serious and it's working as handled, then all's good - I for one have never said otherwise. If it was more serious and actually did involve a potential fatal reaction, I'd hope you'd rethink.

Both of the kids have what their parents describe as deadly peanut allergies, and their parents are fine with the policy. The teachers have epi-pens and are trained in what to do in case of a reaction. The parents of another child left after the school refused to ban peanut products, which of course was their right.

The difference is that these parents realize that not only is it wrong to expect everyone else to change their lives to accomodate their children, but also that to do so is simply to create a false sense of security.

I would quit my job, stay home and homeschool my kids before I would expect everyone else to run their home like a nut-free zone and impose on other families because of my child's allergy.

 

[mattsdragon]

So why don't we just stop eating peanut butter. Let's tear up any and all references to George Washington Carver. The we will burn down Nabisco (those damned Nutter Butters). Yes, let's condemn an entire industry because one in 150 children has an allergy.

Or, we can be much more level headed. We can accept that our child may have an allergy that will limit his (or her, since this is all really just about being PC) lifestyle. Your dear little one is different. Different isn't bad, it's just, well, different. Isn't that what diversity is all about? Why are people so afraid of parenting? They would rather point the finger at other parents rather than tell their kid "hey, stay away from peanuts or you might die". It's much easier to get offended if your kid's friend's parents don't throw out all their Skippy because of it.

When the squeeky wheel is the only one getting the grease, the other three end up neglected.

Does anyone else remember riding their bike without a helmet? We all turned out alright.

 

[BuckNaked]

So why don't we just stop eating peanut butter. Let's tear up any and all references to George Washington Carver. The we will burn down Nabisco (those damned Nutter Butters). Yes, let's condemn an entire industry because on in 150 children has an allergy.

Or, we can be much more level headed. We can accept that our child may have an allergy that will limit his (or her, since this is all really just about being PC) lifestyle. Your dear little one is different. Different isn't bad, it's just, well, different. Isn't that what diversity is all about? Why are people so afraid of parenting? They would rather point the finger at other parents rather than tell their kid "hey, stay away from peanuts or you might die". It's much easier to get offended if your kid's friend's parents don't throw out all their Skippy because of it.

Exactly, and well said!

 

[pezpam]

Both of the kids have what their parents describe as deadly peanut allergies, and their parents are fine with the policy. The teachers have epi-pens and are trained in what to do in case of a reaction. The parents of another child left after the school refused to ban peanut products, which of course was their right.

The difference is that these parents realize that not only is it wrong to expect everyone else to change their lives to accomodate their children, but also that to do so is simply to create a false sense of security.

I would quit my job, stay home and homeschool my kids before I would expect everyone else to run their home like a nut-free zone and impose on other families because of my child's allergy.

I think we agree to a certain point. "Deadly" allergy and "Deadly when there is so much as a whiff of peanut in the air" are two separate things. Like my DDs friend, it sounds like the kids at your school have deadly allergies, but allergies that are triggered by more than the mere presence of peanuts in the school. Just like for our school, having certain restrictions in place works. Other children live with much higher levels of sensitivity.

All I'm saying is that it's easier than it sounds and you don't have to have a peanut-free home to accomodate a schoolmate. Homeschooling is a decent option if the parents (maybe single parent who has to work) can afford it, if they can handle it, if it's a good option for their child, etc...... but it doesn't work for everyone. Learning that it isn't the end of their world to accomodate or help someone who needs a bit of extra consideration isn't a lesson I mind having DD learn, either.

 

[DeeCeeSW]

Against my better judgement, I am going to chime in. To all of those who have children with peanut allergies, I can not possibly imagine carrying around an epi-pen and constantly worrying about their health -- my heart goes out to you and I wish your children a wonderful childhood. I think what has struck me and some of the other posters is that the OP is seemingly quite angry and mentioned that she was in tears because her son can not go on the Pirate Cruise, and my thought is (and please keep this in the spirit in which it is intended) that there are many battles in this world and we all have our personal struggles and not going on this cruise is a small fight to lose. My family is not going on the Pirate Cruise or Princess Tea because it is outside of our budget for this trip. Thank God (or whomever you chose) for the wonderful blessings of your life and try not to let the small things upset you so. Best, Chris

Oh, wow, I guess I should have not shown such vulnerability by admitting that I cried. Guess that really makes me a crackpot in need of therapy. You have no idea who I am or what upsets me or what I have to deal with. Stop making assumptions about how "angry" I am. What IS starting to make me angry are these ridiculous responses from people who have no clue what it's like to have a food allergic child.

Perhaps you need to go back and read my original post. I believe I expressed frustration at the situation, not anger. Unfortunately, a few of you have made this thread into a ugly one. I hope it gets closed quickly.

 

[BuckNaked]

Learning that it isn't the end of their world to accomodate or help someone who needs a bit of extra consideration isn't a lesson I mind having DD learn, either.

Just as learning that it isn't up to everyone else to accomodate them would be a nice lesson for allergic children to learn.