Peanut Allergy issue - is this going too far in your opinion?

[Tigger_Magic]

I wonder how much of this request is actually for liability purposes, in case the worst does happen. The school could then say "We did all we could do" to avoid a potentially expensive lawsuit.

It is an over-the-top request and yes, the school did it to try to avoid a lawsuit. It's unlikely, however, if the worst case scenario does happen that the school will avoid being named in a lawsuit.

 

[NCDisneyMom]

My son is highly allergic to peanuts. He can be in the vicinity with no reaction (i.e. not an airborn reaction), but he cannot touch it, and he certainly cannot eat it. He is in Kindergarten. At his school, he has a peanut-free classroom, and while it's not a peanut-free table at lunch, it is a peanut-free zone. At the beginning of the year, his teachers sent a letter home to the parents asking that IF the children (in his class only) ate PB for breakfast, to please be sure to carefully wash their hands and mouths before coming to school. The teachers also ensure that all hands are washed after lunch. IMO, he has to learn to live WITH his allergy, in a world where peanuts exist. Of course, he's only 5, so he needs some help with that now. But, as he gets older, and gains a better understanding, he will assume more responsibility. Although, I have to admit, he never eats anything from a person other than me without asking if it's safe, first.

To answer a couple of other points that I read throughout this thread. Yes, peanut allergies are considered a "hidden disability" and protected by the ADA. Many parents obtain a 504 with their school to mandate how the allergy will be handled, and what "reasonable accommodations" will be made.

Someone asked how kids with allergies go out in public, never knowing where peanuts may be/have been (I'm paraphrasing). The truth is, we go out, and we pray. Every day, when I drop ds off at school, I pray. Disney is a great place to go, as the Chef's are very aware, but the truth is, we don't know if the kid at the table before us just ate a PB&J sandwich, or the kid who rode Dumbo before us, or wherever. So, we carry hand sanitizer, and anti-bacterial wipes for wiping down tables before eating. No matter where ds goes, his Benadryl tablets and Epi-Pen HAVE to go with him...no matter what. It could save his life. So, we live our lives just like everyone else, with a little extra precaution, and a little extra prayer.

 

[disneysteve]

My son is highly allergic to peanuts.

Yes, peanut allergies are considered a "hidden disability" and protected by the ADA. Many parents obtain a 504 with their school to mandate how the allergy will be handled, and what "reasonable accommodations" will be made.

Since this issue affects you directly, I'm curious to hear your opinion. Do you think it is a "reasonable accomodation" to request/expect hundreds of families to stop serving PB in their homes as described by the OP?

 

[Michigan]

In the event that the child died because they came in contact with your child that had peanut butter for breakfast what do you think that is going to do to your child for the rest of their life knowing that they caused the death of another child.

 

[mum4jenn]

A very tough situation indeed. I am thankful that my dd does not have an allergy to any food as far as we know and I am also thankful that the peanut allergy kids in my school are not nearly as bad as they could be. All we have to do is give a different cookie or a different sandwich on their tray.




However No child will "starve" if they do not have peanut butter!! Yes it is a good form of protein but I would hope that no parent out there would let their child starve because of some peanut free regulations. I feel certain the "starving" child eats something other than peanut butter some time during the day!! As happened on the other thread the wording of "my kid will starve" is over the top.

 

[stinkerbelle]

In the event that the child died because they came in contact with your child that had peanut butter for breakfast what do you think that is going to do to your child for the rest of their life knowing that they caused the death of another child.

That's going a bit far...don't you think?

Someone asked how kids with allergies go out in public, never knowing where peanuts may be/have been (I'm paraphrasing). The truth is, we go out, and we pray. Every day, when I drop ds off at school, I pray. Disney is a great place to go, as the Chef's are very aware, but the truth is, we don't know if the kid at the table before us just ate a PB&J sandwich, or the kid who rode Dumbo before us, or wherever. So, we carry hand sanitizer, and anti-bacterial wipes for wiping down tables before eating. No matter where ds goes, his Benadryl tablets and Epi-Pen HAVE to go with him...no matter what. It could save his life. So, we live our lives just like everyone else, with a little extra precaution, and a little extra prayer

I applaud you. You're teaching your son how to deal with his allergy...and you are taking responsibility for it. Not getting ready to point the finger at a child that had PB on his toast for breakfast.

I had a friend growing up who was allergic to dang near everything...he wore a fanny pack filled with epi-pens/pills/inhalers in case of emergency. It was something he had to learn to live with sadly...but he took full responsibility for it.

A girl I knew in college died due to a chef telling her there were no peanuts in something. (chef didn't know). She had a reaction, she ran back to her dorm to get her epi-pen...the running spead up her heart-rate, making her blood pump faster. Her roommate found her unconsious in their room. If she had been responsible for her allergy and had her "emergency kit" on her...maybe this could have been avoided.

Yes, people in the world need to make some concessions for others with allergies...but those with allergies, IMO, have the ultimate responsibility for their own health.

flame away

 

[mickeyboat]

In the event that the child died because they came in contact with your child that had peanut butter for breakfast what do you think that is going to do to your child for the rest of their life knowing that they caused the death of another child.

This is preposterous. It is the allergy that killed this child. I would hope parents would make the child understand that this was in no way his fault.

Denae

 

[NCDisneyMom]

Since this issue affects you directly, I'm curious to hear your opinion. Do you think it is a "reasonable accomodation" to request/expect hundreds of families to stop serving PB in their homes as described by the OP?

IMO, I do think it is going overboard to ask everyone in the school. I could see "maybe" asking the kids in the immediate classroom, but I, personally, would not go that far. As I mentioned, we asked my ds's classmates that IF they had PB for breakfast, to wash hands and faces afterward. We never asked them not to eat it...just wash up when you're done.

But, the truth of the matter is, while every little bit helps, nothing is foolproof. I trust my ds's teachers completely, and I have spoken to many of the other parents of his classmates, as well, and they are all very supportive. But, we're all human, and mistakes can happen. There will always be that one parent who doesn't "get it" and sends his/her kid in smeared in PB. Sometimes I fear that, when parents ask for such an extent of accommodations, they will get a false sense of security. There is no such thing as security with this allergy. Every label has to be checked, every restaurant becomes an "issue" with finding out if they are safe, etc.

OK, I'm rambling now...sorry. As you can see, this is a topic I feel very strongly about. To cut this long post a little shorter, I do feel, IMO, that asking the entire school to refrain from eating PB at home on weekdays is going a bit too far.

 

[Amy]

I just found this thread and have only read pg. 1, but my DS15 is allergic to peanuts. He's got an Epi-pen and Benadryl with the school nurse, and he's also got them in his trumpet case at school. When he goes anywhere, he always carries an Epi-pen in a waist pack. In fact, he just went to WDW with the high school marching band - this was his first trip on his own, 5 days. I was a nervous wreck, but he's been "trained" from early on that he has to ask what ingredients are in everything he eats; if there is no label and he's unsure of the ingredients, he doesn't eat it.

The situation the OP described is going too far. Separate lunch tables is a reasonable request. Banning peanuts from a single classroom is reasonable. I could maybe understand sending a letter home asking parents to be sure their kids wash their hands and faces before going to school if they've eaten peanut butter at home. But to tell parents what their kids can and can't eat in their own homes is going too far.

I think the school is just scared of a lawsuit if an allergic child dies at the school, so they're just trying to cover their butts.

 

[maryliz]

Sometimes I fear that, when parents ask for such an extent of accommodations, they will get a false sense of security. There is no such thing as security with this allergy.

This is exactly the thinking of the principal at our school, who incidently has an allergic ds, and has taken a lot of "heat" from parents when he did not declare the entire school "nut free". We have, this year, one child in an older grade (somewhere between grade 5-8) who is allergic. Because it's not an inhalent type, they have made her classroom only "peanut free". I am assuming that because she is older, she takes her own precautions with respect to using the water fountain, not eating anything from someone else's lunch, etc. If they change their rule and ask that I NOT send in items such as peanut butter, I will gladly comply. But until then, it works quite nicely for me.

With respect to having the entire school NOT eat PB for breakfast on school days, I would certainly comply IF the child were in my child's class, or on the same bus, where they would have daily contact. But if not, I don't see the necessity in it.

MaryLiz

 

[PaulaSue]

OP that is extreme IMO. We ban nuts form preschool and limit to none in class (boy is allergic in class) but can be in lunchroom in school here.

I agree about maybe the famly should consider homeschooling.

HOW on earth are they going to ask that when the child grows up and gets a job. Poor kid.

 

[disykat]

This is exactly the thinking of the principal at our school, who incidently has an allergic ds, and has taken a lot of "heat" from parents when he did not declare the entire school "nut free".
MaryLiz

What many people don't seem to get is that it may not be the parents of the peanut allergic child that wanted this "request" to be made. Even the school could have been pressured to do this by the general population. It could be the fear of another parent or a teacher.

As the parent of a peanut allergic child, I have learned to live with the scolding of people who think I shouldn't allow my child out in public. We make what we feel are appropriate accomodations, but there are always people who want to turn anything in to an ordeal. In our case, it was a teacher who didn't want my child in her classroom. My child is also not allowed in many people's homes. People simply are afraid. This fear is not limited to the parents of PA children.

More of my time is probably focused on keeping life normal for my child, than on keeping him safe. Safety has been an easier issue for us.

 

[LisaNJ25]

That is to much... Maybe a note saying that to take a little extra time washing your hands and brusing your teeth if you PB in the morning.

 

[skiwee1]

In the event that the child died because they came in contact with your child that had peanut butter for breakfast what do you think that is going to do to your child for the rest of their life knowing that they caused the death of another child.

I would never allow my child to be blamed for the death of another simply for eating a pb&j sandwhich before going to school! How ludicrous!

 

[skiwee1]

My child wouldn't starve but might go very hungry. Considering she only eats pb&j, grilled cheese, and bagel and cream cheese, I can see this being a problem I would never let my child go hungry for anyone else. While we do accomodate her friends, and happily so, there is no way I'd let my child not eat pb&j except on weekends and holidays. If the parents of the child feel that strongly then they need to homeschool.

 

[Michigan]

I would never allow my child to be blamed for the death of another simply for eating a pb&j sandwhich before going to school! How ludicrous!

So you don't think the boy that kissed the girl several hours after he had peanut butter knowing the girl was allergic will feel quilty for her death? I do.

 

[Aidensmom]

What many people don't seem to get is that it may not be the parents of the peanut allergic child that wanted this "request" to be made. Even the school could have been pressured to do this by the general population. It could be the fear of another parent or a teacher.

As the parent of a peanut allergic child, I have learned to live with the scolding of people who think I shouldn't allow my child out in public. We make what we feel are appropriate accomodations, but there are always people who want to turn anything in to an ordeal. In our case, it was a teacher who didn't want my child in her classroom. My child is also not allowed in many people's homes. People simply are afraid. This fear is not limited to the parents of PA children.

More of my time is probably focused on keeping life normal for my child, than on keeping him safe. Safety has been an easier issue for us.

There was a post on this thread asking how would your child feel if they were responsible for the death of another child because they ate a peanut butter sandwich. I understand what you are saying, but I think that some extreme attitudes like that can cause people to feel paranoid about peanut allergic children, and that is why they might be afraid to let your child in their home. If I thought a parent might accuse my son of murder because he had a peanut butter sandwich for lunch (or some similar extreme line of thinking), I would probably not want that child in my home. Luckily, I don't know anyone like that. I am sorry that your child has to endure that.

 

[robinb]

So you don't think the boy that kissed the girl several hours after he had peanut butter knowing the girl was allergic will feel quilty for her death? I do.

Oh goody. Let's try him for murder then.

 

[4greatboys]

My kid though would starve without peanut butter

I agree, mine too. Its about the only thing I can get him to eat.

I dont want to put another child in danger for sure. I cannot imagine how hard it is for those parents and kids who are so allergic to peanuts. However I dont want to starve my kid either. Its hard position either way.

 

[stinkerbelle]

Oh goody. Let's try him for murder then.

well..it wouldn't totally be the kids fault...would it?

I mean...a PARENT probably bought the peanut butter...a PARENT could have made the sandwhich...all the kid do was eat it.

see how stupid it sounds? Thank incident was a tragic *accident*. (I stress ACCIDENT)