Peanut Allergy

[chisnpeke]

OP,

What if there was a child deathly allergic to milk? Would you adcovate for the school to go milk free? What about a soy allergy? Strawberry allergy? Would you want all of these things banned as well? What if your child was allergic to all of these items in addition to peanuts? Would you still expect the school to get rid of all of these just for YOUR child?

I just feel the whole idea of making changes for ONE child is kind of selfish. It's easier for that one child to change their habits rather than forcing everyone else to change theirs.

 

[Momvic5]

Nope. Did not misunderstand.

It has nothing to do with "just a menu item." It has everything to do with singling out one specific allergy and forcing others to conform their worlds around it. It devalues every other child that also has life threatening conditions and are learning to work their worlds around it. It has to do with convenience for the peanut family rather than finding practical solutions that others are using to learn to deal with their life threatening conditions.

Mind you, I have dealt with the special education system for 21 years until my child graduated from the free and public education allowed by law. I have seen and worked with children much more compromised than a peanut allergy. Not one parent ever even thought about demanding a school wide ban, rather they sought solutions that would be particular to their child.

Come on, we are just arguing about recess or as the above poster said, about milk or soy. It is just one period in school or just a menu item.

How come you have not addressed any of those questions posed to you? You conveniently ignore anybody that questions any other potentially fatal allergy or condition. Remaining silent to repeated questions says way more about how more important you feel your child's condition is over what you actually write.

Exactly what is your solution to a child fatally allergic to milk? Or fatally allergic to any other "just a menu item" or any potentially fatal condition?

Do you feel the same precautions should be extended for her child as you are demanding for your child, that a school should be dairy free? Same fatal issues, same "just a menu item."

Or are peanuts more expendable than milk? Is your child's allergy more relevant than a milk or bee allergy? How about the immune compromised children? Should the school send home anybody with the sniffles?

What objections do you have to having the school assign an aide for your child to help him make decisions about his allergy and to keep his epi pen available for immediate use? What objection do you have to teaching your child to wipe everything down with wipes before they touch it?

I am not dismissing your child's allergy at all. As others have asked, what is your solution on where we draw the line? There are so many life threatening conditions out there, do we ban everything or do we find solutions to the problems?

I haven't seen a single argument yet that shows a peanut ban would actually create a safer environment. What about the child that went to the ball game over the weekend and stuffed the peanuts in her backpack without the parents knowing? You still have children eating peanut products before school and touching door handles, fountains, faucets, desks, tables. There is no way to force parents to comply as it would be cost prohibitive and violate children's privacy by doing a lunch and backpack check of every single student every day.

I have seen plenty of arguments that would make it more convenient, both socially for the child (by not having the stigma of being different or having an aide) and convenient for the parents (not having to make special lunches, snacks etc).

Schools can not address every situation in one. Schools are considering becoming peanut free because they are begining to see a rise in the number of students with severe peanut allergies. Schools are being forced to address the situation because teachers are being given epipens to administer to children, and some of them have no clue as to how to use them. Just in my children's elementary school alone, 21 students had some sort of peanut allergy. 17 out of the 21 students were considered severe. Every room that one of these children entered had to have an epipen on hand. Our teachers had to take a special training course on the proper usage of epipens because many were afraid to use them. A plan of action was put into place concerning these students, and limiting the presence of peanuts in the school was part of their plan of action. It is not like one or two students are buckling the system. Some schools are just taking steps toward what they see as a positive change for the school as a whole. Are peanuts and peanut products really necessary in a school setting? For some schools the answer is no.

Schools that are peanut free are not trying to prevent every possible exposure that a child can encounter. They are just trying to limit the possibility of an unnecessary exposure where they have control. Limit is the key word.

Lumping together all of the many horrible situations that young children may face while at school and trying to address them all in one solution is not the answer. Addressing one does not mean that all others have no value. Addressing peanut allergies does not take away from the fact that there are other allergies/situations that need to be addresssed.

 

[Planogirl]

Says who?

Again-What if a child has peanut butter for breakfast and doesn't wash their hands and comes in contact with your child?

This is the question I keep asking. I also keep wondering about foods that contain peanut oil or are made in facilities that use peanut oil. But no one answers those questions.

 

[LisaR]

I love the idea that someone suggested earlier that you get an IEP that states the child will have an aide with them at all times during school. When they are really young, this is probably the ideal situation. The child can still go about their day but they have an extra set of adult eyes looking out for them.

When my son was in preschool, I had one simple request that I don't think inconvenienced anyone. DON'T FEED MY CHILD! It really seemed simple. It was 1/2 day preschool so the only food they had was at snack time. I supplied my son's snack everyday. Simple? Apparently not.

Parents seemed to want to force my son to try things. They didn't think he could be "that" allergic to so many different items. I ended up having to spend my time in the classroom so the room moms wouldn't feed my kid. It got really old after awhile. I felt like the point of sending him to preschool was so he could learn to do things away from me but I ended up having to be there with him the entire time anyway. It was frustrating.

I think having someone with your child in school that could be their advocate and have their best interest in mind would be a perfect solution. Eventually, they will be old enough and mature enough to deal with it on their own and outgrow the need for an aide. OP, have you looked into this option?

 

[Michelle67]

I love the idea that someone suggested earlier that you get an IEP that states the child will have an aide with them at all times during school. When they are really young, this is probably the ideal situation. The child can still go about their day but they have an extra set of adult eyes looking out for them.

When my son was in preschool, I had one simple request that I don't think inconvenienced anyone. DON'T FEED MY CHILD! It really seemed simple. It was 1/2 day preschool so the only food they had was at snack time. I supplied my son's snack everyday. Simple? Apparently not.

Parents seemed to want to force my son to try things. They didn't think he could be "that" allergic to so many different items. I ended up having to spend my time in the classroom so the room moms wouldn't feed my kid. It got really old after awhile. I felt like the point of sending him to preschool was so he could learn to do things away from me but I ended up having to be there with him the entire time anyway. It was frustrating.

I think having someone with your child in school that could be their advocate and have their best interest in mind would be a perfect solution. Eventually, they will be old enough and mature enough to deal with it on their own and outgrow the need for an aide. OP, have you looked into this option?

I had that experience too, Lisa. I got the "Oh well, it was a special occasion and we really didn't think a little piece of cake was going to hurt her." I finally lost it one day and asked someone if she would mind if I just gave her child a little bit of rat poison. I think that one finally got it. One down, twenty to go...

 

[Talking Hands]

To me, those are contradictory. In one sentence, you are saying that you take meat in your lunch. The next sentence, you're saying that you can't take meat because it will spoil. You say that meat would do the trick for you (if you could keep it from spoiling), but then say you could not survive (i.e., you'd die) in a peanut-free environment.

My lunch is kept in a refirgerator in the staff lounge not with me. I keep the peanut butter crackers in my purse which is either on my person or closely nearby at my desk. We do not have refrigerators in the classrooms.
Big difference.
I have experienced anaphylaxsis both in myself and with my daughter so I am not unfamiliar with it. Both of us have anaphylactic type allergies. I will continue to follow my doctor's advice in how the treat my lows. Since he feels peanut butter crackers are the safest for me in my particular situation I will continue using them. Fortunately for me peanut butter is not a problem while other foods are.

 

[Talking Hands]

What about WDW? They serve Peanut butter and Jelly there. Will someone ask them to ban it there also? Will you not go to WDW because of the allergy?

Yes it has been requested at concierge level at resorts. PBJ was taken off the buffet because a parent insisted on it. Since the was other food available on the buffet I could eat (they had made special desserts that were kept in the back for me) I did not eat my peanut butter crackers there. Btw there were also items I could not have with dairy but I never thought to ask they remove those from the buffet, just that cheese and meat not be placed on the same tray.

 

[hentob]

Again-What if a child has peanut butter for breakfast and doesn't wash their hands and comes in contact with your child?

Asking once again

 

[dreamer17555]

Asking once again

The simple truth is you cannot prevent this. Peanut Free school are not 100% free from danger and can lure children into a false sense of security. That is the answer. Just like a teacher cannot make parents read with their child every night, they cannot make them wash their hands before coming into school or even riding the bus.

-Becca-

 

[Aristomommy]

Rob, I think that I can sum this whole argument with 2 points...

1. My kid is picky and I not going to force him to eat something else....

2. My kid is allergic to peanuts and if he touches one he may die....


Sounds like a pretty one sided argument to me!

1. There are children who are autistic for example and no amount of reasoning will change their preference in lunch, clothing, daily routines etc. Have you ever seen an autistic child in panic because their lunch isn't prepared like it usually is? Much more different than a picky eater.

2. Most kids with peanut allergies will not die even if they have a reaction. Of the deaths and serious reactions, teenagers and young adults are the most at risk.

So the elementary schools across the country are doing a good job keeping the kids safe. Nothing is as simple as it seems. Parents who oppose nut-free schools are not cruel or selfish. Parents who want their child to be safe and attend public schools with allergies are not unreasonable. I enjoy reading opinions and ideas. Hopefully the OP does as well.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

Is your work place peanut free?? The mall??? The grocery store??? WDW??? No place is completely safe.

No, however, the child's parent, WITH AN EPIPEN AND BENADRYL, are presumably with them when they are at these locations. Imagine an emergency in a cafeteria filled with elementary kids eating lunch. Not the easiest place to have quick medical attention.
And, sadly, epipens don't always reverse the reaction.
We are talking about 5-year olds here. They need to be protected.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

NO. Absolutely not. And to anyone who thinks it could work, all I can say is, I hope you carry an Epipen.

Even in a pb free school, I am sure every child with a pb allergy has a epipen at the nurse. Not to have one would be completely irresponsible.
To the people who feel it is a false sense of security, trust me, you never feel that your child is safe. You just want them to be safer than they were before.

 

[sha_lyn]

Even in a pb free school, I am sure every child with a pb allergy has a epipen at the nurse. Not to have one would be completely irresponsible.
To the people who feel it is a false sense of security, trust me, you never feel that your child is safe. You just want them to be safer than they were before.

Hopefully they have the epi-pen closer to them than the school nurse's office

 

[Nicoleclaw]

Asking once again

Then you are very lucky there is an epipen at the nurse and you call 911???

 

[sha_lyn]

Asking once again

Honestly I thought the question was rhetorical.
What happens is if exposed the allergic child will likely have an allergc reaction.

 

[Nicoleclaw]

This is the question I keep asking. I also keep wondering about foods that contain peanut oil or are made in facilities that use peanut oil. But no one answers those questions.

Actually, there are several studies that show the type of peanut oil used most often is actually safe for most peanut allergic children. Something about it removing the protein. That being said, I am not about to test it out on my son! I read label after label, actually and the only peanut oil I have come across is at that fancy chinese place (probably all chinese food places as well), ugh can't remember the name, and at The Land of Make Believe in NJ. Oh yea chick-fil-a.

 

[sha_lyn]

Peanut oils......

There isn't one answer. For some refined peanut oil is safe, for some it is not.
Typically cold pressed oil would not be safe for anyone allergic.

 

[dreamer17555]

Even in a pb free school, I am sure every child with a pb allergy has a epipen at the nurse. Not to have one would be completely irresponsible.
To the people who feel it is a false sense of security, trust me, you never feel that your child is safe. You just want them to be safer than they were before.

I have a son with a Fatal Allergy remember? I know that a parent Never EVER feels safe but a child might not be as cautious- its a false sense of security for the child.

I am rather shocked with the number of people for banning peanuts- does this mean that everyone will be on board if when my son starts school I petition and fight for the school to be dairy free?

-Becca-

 

[Nicoleclaw]

I have a son with a Fatal Allergy remember? I know that a parent Never EVER feels safe but a child might not be as cautious- its a false sense of security for the child.

I am rather shocked with the number of people for banning peanuts- does this mean that everyone will be on board if when my son starts school I petition and fight for the school to be dairy free?

-Becca-

honestly, I would be like dang that is a pain in the ****, but I would do it. But, I have 2 kids with allergies....

i cant believe that just ****** out the word that I typed that I thought would be better than the real word!!

 

[Nicoleclaw]

Peanut oils......

There isn't one answer. For some refined peanut oil is safe, for some it is not.
Typically cold pressed oil would not be safe for anyone allergic.

Just passing on info from allergist....
Have youever actually seen anything made with cold pressed peanut oil? Asking to increase my knowledge of stuff to avoid. Thanks!