To go with the Peanut Butter thread: Do you think that PBJs should be banned...

[livndisney]

To the parents of a child with peanut allergies-
How do you handle these situations?
1) We were on the Boat yesterday from the Boardwalk, a non english speaking family sits near us in the last seats (crowded boat) and starts eating peanut butter sandwiches.
2) Standing in line for the Princesses in toontown a young child goes into meltdown mode (because they are hungry) and Mom brings out a PBJ for the little one to eat.

Moving to another location in either case was really not an option. So what would you do?

 

[robertsmom]

Look at the case of the teenage girl who dies after kissing her Bf who had eaten a Pb sandwhich earlier that day. She didnt know what he had eaten. It was enough to kill her.

Actually, that isn't what killed her. The autopsy report showed that it was a massive asthma attack.

 

[disneyandme]

LIVINDISNEY

To the parents of a child with peanut allergies-
How do you handle these situations?
1) We were on the Boat yesterday from the Boardwalk, a non english speaking family sits near us in the last seats (crowded boat) and starts eating peanut butter sandwiches.
2) Standing in line for the Princesses in toontown a young child goes into meltdown mode (because they are hungry) and Mom brings out a PBJ for the little one to eat.

Moving to another location in either case was really not an option. So what would you do?


If you had an allergic child, you would have to move and fast-- not matter how crowded it may be. It is not optional. You miss out on things. Many with severe allergies, especially those with contact or inhaled allergies don't fly. The airlines won't guarentee nut free flights and your child would be trapped in a bad situation if nuts were served. Schools are making many of these changes because kids are a captive audience and can't just leave a bad situation.
You also have to understand that there are degrees of allergies. Some only react to ingresting the nuts, some when coming in contact, some when inhaling it. The status of a nut allergy can change with each exposure. A child who only got mild hives for the first 5 years of his life from ingesting nuts can suddenly have a live threatening anaphalaxatic reaction from inhaling them at the next exposure. There is no way to know.

 

[Schmeck]

To the parents of a child with peanut allergies-
How do you handle these situations?
1) We were on the Boat yesterday from the Boardwalk, a non english speaking family sits near us in the last seats (crowded boat) and starts eating peanut butter sandwiches.
2) Standing in line for the Princesses in toontown a young child goes into meltdown mode (because they are hungry) and Mom brings out a PBJ for the little one to eat.

Moving to another location in either case was really not an option. So what would you do?

Being on the boat, and trying to move would be tricky if the boat was crowded, but there is an open air space at the back to sit in, isn't there? That would be the safest place for a person with a peanut allergy to sit.

People can get out of line at Toontown. Just go up to the nearest CM, explain the situation, and ask for assistance. Perhaps even inquire at guest Relations for a GAC to help - stating that there are times you have to lose your place in line due to your child's life threatenting allergy.

 

[livndisney]

LIVINDISNEY

To the parents of a child with peanut allergies-
How do you handle these situations?
1) We were on the Boat yesterday from the Boardwalk, a non english speaking family sits near us in the last seats (crowded boat) and starts eating peanut butter sandwiches.
2) Standing in line for the Princesses in toontown a young child goes into meltdown mode (because they are hungry) and Mom brings out a PBJ for the little one to eat.

Moving to another location in either case was really not an option. So what would you do?


If you had an allergic child, you would have to move and fast-- not matter how crowded it may be. It is not optional. You miss out on things. Many with severe allergies, especially those with contact or inhaled allergies don't fly. The airlines won't guarentee nut free flights and your child would be trapped in a bad situation if nuts were served. Schools are making many of these changes because kids are a captive audience and can't just leave a bad situation.
You also have to understand that there are degrees of allergies. Some only react to ingresting the nuts, some when coming in contact, some when inhaling it. The status of a nut allergy can change with each exposure. A child who only got mild hives for the first 5 years of his life from ingesting nuts can suddenly have a live threatening anaphalaxatic reaction from inhaling them at the next exposure. There is no way to know.

Trust me I KNOW there are degrees of allergies as both my DD and I have them. My question was how do parents of peanut allergy kids handle the two cases presented. In a lunchroom a child is not a "captive audience" they can move to a peanut free table. As far as a GAC at Disney,I have been told several times they are for rides not characters. So that would not help in the Toontown case. Do you just leave the line and come back at another time?

 

[disneyandme]

As far as the line in Toontown goes, I would make the decison to leave the line. I would not leave it up to my allergic child. so, yes, you would have to leave the line and try again another time.
Also, in regards to a school, yes, a child is a captive audience. They are not allowed to get up and walk around at will. For some kids, a peanut free table isn't enough, just having it in the room can cause a reaction. They can't just leave the building if it is unsafe for them. Would you want a 5 yr old making that decision themselves? This in one of the reasons why we are seeing most of the changes in elementary school and not in middle and high schools. It may happen someday in the older grades since teens are most likely to die from a food reaction than any other age. They are the most likely to pretend they don't have an allergy or ignore it and eat the food anyway just to fit in. Teens are also the most likely to be without their epipens.

 

[cinderella73]

Actually, that isn't what killed her. The autopsy report showed that it was a massive asthma attack.

It was my understanding that she had has asthma as well as food allergys and thought when she started having symptoms that she thought she was having a asthma attack because she didnt know what her Bf had eaten earlier and knew she hadnt had anything bad herself. So assuming it must be a asthma attack she went and got her inhaler and used it. But that it did not relieve her symptoms.

She may have tried using it more than she was supposed to because she was having difficuly breathing. But I heard the the cause of death was thought to be asthma but was in the end ruled as a reaction.

Unless they changed the story after that. Its been a couple years so I havent heard about it since then.

 

[cinderella73]

As far as the line in Toontoen goes, I would make the decison to leave the line. I would not leave it up to my allergic child. so, yes, you would have to leave the line and try again another time.
Also, in regards to a school, yes, a child is a captive audience. They are not allowed to get up and walk around at will. For some kids, a peanut free table isn't enough, just having it in the room can cause a reaction. They can't just leave the building if it is unsafe for them. Would you want a 5 yr old making that decision themselves? This in one of the reasons why we are seeing most of the changes in elementary school and not in middle and high schools. It may happen someday in the older grades since teens are most likely to die from a food reaction than any other age. They are the most likely to pretend they don't have an allergy or ignore it and eat the food anyway just to fit in. Teens are also the most likely to be without their epipens.

Excellent points you made .

Gosh am I getting neurotic ( sp?) here or do I have those little hand wipes available at every ride so I can do a quick wipe down of the bar before my son has to grab it? We are going to WDW soon ourselves and the situation you found yourself in is exactly what I am worried about. I hope since its September it will be uncrowded.

But there is a night where the Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party will be going on one night. And they have candy galore. Some even with nuts. So I will be worried all day the next day that residue might be on the rides and ground and so forth.

 

[Hannathy]

No the coroner definitely ruled it was not the peanut allergy. Most allergist/scientist also feel that the length of time from when he ate till he kissed her would have been washed away by saliva.

 

[livndisney]

Excellent points you made .

Gosh am I getting neurotic ( sp?) here or do I have those little hand wipes available at every ride so I can do a quick wipe down of the bar before my son has to grab it? We are going to WDW soon ourselves and the situation you found yourself in is exactly what I am worried about. I hope since its September it will be uncrowded.

But there is a night where the Mickeys Not So Scary Halloween Party will be going on one night. And they have candy galore. Some even with nuts. So I will be worried all day the next day that residue might be on the rides and ground and so forth.

And don't forget all the candy apples with nuts that will be sold. People walk around eating those and nuts drop off and go everywhere. I know the candy shop at MGM sells the candy apples year round. Goofy's Candy kitchen(I think that is the name of it at DTD) has candy you can customize-i.e candy apple rolled in nuts, pretzel rolled in nuts etc. Not to scare anyone, but these are things we have seen. How do you protect against that?

 

[MM27]

The poor little girl in my class was allergic to everything. Luckily she was very on top of it (4th grade). If the school banned everything she was allergic to, the kids would be drinking water for lunch.

 

[disneyandme]

MM27-- I totally understand that. My DD3 is allergic to so many things that they don't all fit on her double sided Medic Alert bracelet. We can't ban all her foods either, but we do expect parents to be aware of her allergies and wash hands and mouths before coming to school and for the teachers to wash hands, mouths, tables after eating.

 

[bookgirl]

No should not be banned. When every school goes sugar free for the diabetic kids then I'll think about it. But until then No.

 

[chobie]

No should not be banned. When every school goes sugar free for the diabetic kids then I'll think about it. But until then No.

A diabetic kid will not die if a kid sitting next to him eats a piece of candy and then breathes on him. A diabetic kid will not die because a knife used to cut a brownie was used to cut the food he ate. Heck, a diabetic kid won't even die if he EATS the piece of candy.

 

[bookgirl]

A diabetic kid will not die if a kid sitting next to him eats a piece of candy and then breathes on him. A diabetic kid will not die because a knife used to cut a brownie was used to cut the food he ate. Heck, a diabetic kid won't even die if he EATS the piece of candy.

Ever see a kid with unstable sugars get ahold of something that had hidden sugar in it? Ever had to watch a treat get passed out to every kid in the classroom except for the diabetic one. Diabetes causes a whole host of medical problems beyound the need to take insulin. And with out RIGID control of thier blood suger they can look forward to kidney and bladder failure, poor circulation, amputation, and diabetic coma (that can happen in a heartbeat and I've seen it happen in a school setting, same child was also getting into candy that a parent sent with another child which caused a myriad of problems) Now add that to a child who is autistic and doesn't understand that they can't pick up something that is on the table. Or a five year old who wants to share in a party and doens't understand every food is a hidden danger. Diabetics have the same problems but they learn that that is life and that they have a medical illness that they will have to adapt to. If a school told parents that they could send no suger bearing items in a school lunch (this includes fruit, juice, gatoraide, fruit snacks, candy, yogurt and granola) then there would be an outcry.

We cannot cater an environment to every individual. I'm sorry but we can't.

Peanut allergies are not the only health risk in the school setting, we can't stop one without applying this to every individual.

Oh and if the schools have to be peanut free for a child to attend then how do you justify taking them into any public building, any resturant or anyones home. You adapt, you take precautions and you prepare. That can be done in a school. So until the world is peanut free you can not require the schools to be.

 

[aceandmee]

I can see both sides, because my 2 year old ds is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, apples, cantaloupes, grapefruits, oranges, corn, chocolate, cinnamon, and wheat. (Try finding packaged snacks/candy that HE can eat) My 5 year old dd on the other hand is only allergic to chicken and barley at this point, but was slightly allergic to a whole lot of things(she was only tested this year) that leads me to believe she has outgrown/is outgrowing those things. She for 2-3 years lived on a steady diet of pb sandwiches and choc. milk. Personally I think she figured out those things didn't bother her and she was afraid to eat other stuff.

My ds can have everything but the pb/tree nuts without having hives or a more serious reaction, so while I expect his classrooms to be pb/tree nut free, I wouldn't expect everyone else to give up the other stuff. My ds is touch allergic to peanuts as well. Also like others have said, pb can have a minor reaction one time and the next exposure can bring on an anaphylactic(sp?) reaction. You never know, that is why I have an epi-pen for him.

My dd took pb sandwiches to prek every single time she went. I would not be easy for me if her classroom/school was pb free, but I would not have a problem at all with finding her pb free alternatives if I needed to. It would be for the sake of a child's health/life, that is all I need to know.

My ds is about to start prek, and I will be helping/substituting there so I feel pretty comfortable. I feel a little sad for him too though, because he will not be able to have the candies, cakes or cookies that the parents will bring for parties(birthdays, christmas, etc.). I do plan to have some frozen cupcakes and suckers that he can have available though.

I don't like having to be so vigilant all the time. I am so sad when I have to tell him no he can't have something. I can only hope he will outgrow alot of the things he is allergic to. On the other hand, his allergies actually affected his growth and now he has gained 3 pounds or so since they were all diagnosed in February. So all the hard work to find alternative foods for him has been worth it.

 

[livndisney]

Ace, I sent you a PM

 

[robertsmom]

Ever see a kid with unstable sugars get ahold of something that had hidden sugar in it? Ever had to watch a treat get passed out to every kid in the classroom except for the diabetic one. Diabetes causes a whole host of medical problems beyound the need to take insulin. And with out RIGID control of thier blood suger they can look forward to kidney and bladder failure, poor circulation, amputation, and diabetic coma (that can happen in a heartbeat and I've seen it happen in a school setting, same child was also getting into candy that a parent sent with another child which caused a myriad of problems) Now add that to a child who is autistic and doesn't understand that they can't pick up something that is on the table. Or a five year old who wants to share in a party and doens't understand every food is a hidden danger. Diabetics have the same problems but they learn that that is life and that they have a medical illness that they will have to adapt to. If a school told parents that they could send no suger bearing items in a school lunch (this includes fruit, juice, gatoraide, fruit snacks, candy, yogurt and granola) then there would be an outcry.

I completely agree with this post. My DS has had Type 1 diabetes for 9 years. We work extremely hard to control it, and yes, I live with the fear every day that this disease will take him from me. I have watched him go into a diabetic coma (that was when he was diagnosed), have a massive seizure from low blood sugar (2 years ago, and he was fine 2 minutes before so it can happen very fast), and just plain get upset when he cannot eat the same treats that his classmates eat at a party. Please don't downplay the seriousness of this disease until you have lived with it. I understand that peanut allergies are severe, but so is diabetes. Insulin is a treatment - not a cure.

 

[chobie]

Ever see a kid with unstable sugars get ahold of something that had hidden sugar in it? Ever had to watch a treat get passed out to every kid in the classroom except for the diabetic one. Diabetes causes a whole host of medical problems beyound the need to take insulin. And with out RIGID control of thier blood suger they can look forward to kidney and bladder failure, poor circulation, amputation, and diabetic coma (that can happen in a heartbeat and I've seen it happen in a school setting, same child was also getting into candy that a parent sent with another child which caused a myriad of problems) Now add that to a child who is autistic and doesn't understand that they can't pick up something that is on the table. Or a five year old who wants to share in a party and doens't understand every food is a hidden danger. Diabetics have the same problems but they learn that that is life and that they have a medical illness that they will have to adapt to. If a school told parents that they could send no suger bearing items in a school lunch (this includes fruit, juice, gatoraide, fruit snacks, candy, yogurt and granola) then there would be an outcry.

We cannot cater an environment to every individual. I'm sorry but we can't.

Peanut allergies are not the only health risk in the school setting, we can't stop one without applying this to every individual.

Oh and if the schools have to be peanut free for a child to attend then how do you justify taking them into any public building, any resturant or anyones home. You adapt, you take precautions and you prepare. That can be done in a school. So until the world is peanut free you can not require the schools to be.

That is still not the same as a kid dropping dead from an accidental peanut allegery. Peanut allegery deaths come on suddenly and there is only a few minutes to react.

You can require the schools to do this and some have. This is not a health risk, this is a death risk. Peanut allegery deaths are much more sudden.

I'm not downplaying the seriousnes of diabetes, but I am saying that the sudden and instant death that can come from coming in contact with peanut butter creates a more urgent situation that schools can and should prepare for.

EDA: I'm not a medical expert. I don't have children with diabetes or peanut allergies. If a child with diabetes could suddenly die from an accidental exposure to sugar then I would be for the schools doing what they needed to to protect those kids.

 

[livndisney]

I completely agree with this post. My DS has had Type 1 diabetes for 9 years. We work extremely hard to control it, and yes, I live with the fear every day that this disease will take him from me. I have watched him go into a diabetic coma (that was when he was diagnosed), have a massive seizure from low blood sugar (2 years ago, and he was fine 2 minutes before so it can happen very fast), and just plain get upset when he cannot eat the same treats that his classmates eat at a party. Please don't downplay the seriousness of this disease until you have lived with it. I understand that peanut allergies are severe, but so is diabetes. Insulin is a treatment - not a cure.

Robertsmom,
I am sorry you and your son have to go thru this, my dear friend from school has diabetes and a diabetic coma and seizure are terrifying to see. My DD has several food allergies and it is not fun to tell our children they cannot have the treats their friends are eating.