"I'm Not Nuts": Living with Food Allergies

Description

In recent years the word "allergy" has become a catch-all phrase. The term "food allergy" is misinterpreted as anything from a stomach ache to a rash, most often confused with a food intolerance. What many people do not understand is that food allergies are serious and can be life-threatening, just as an allergy to bee stings can be fatal. Through the experience of several families consisting of both children and adults with food allergies, this program clarifies the misinformation people commonly have about food allergies. Most importantly, it illustrates that food allergies are something a person can live with. Several medical professionals such as Dr. Scott Sicherer of the Jaffe Food Allergy Institute and doctors Harvey Leo and Ben Song of the Allergy & Immunology Associates of Ann Arbor discuss the possible causes of food allergies and its impact on the parents, the allergic child, and siblings. Other topics include the daily routine of an allergic individual; the time and energy that goes into preparing to eat out, going to the park, visiting family and friends, and addressing the lack of understanding and education of people who are unaware of the danger of this condition. Supports groups include founder Melissa Dalton, of COFAF (Circle of Food Allergic Families) and Terry Furlong, co-founder of FAAN (Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network), the largest advocacy organization for food allergies in the world. The various coping challenges and strategies--medical, emotional and social-are addressed as are the positive insights people have gained from learning to effectively live with food allergies on a daily basis.