Happy Mother's Day
>> Sunday, May 9, 2010
"Someday when I have kids, I hope they have food allergies too."
Yeah, I know... I didn't know the best way to respond to that one either. I had to swallow my gut response which was, "What are you, crazy? Why would you wish that on your kid, or yourself ?" Fortunately I caught those words before they came out and made my kid feel like a freak. Instead, I switched into thoughtful probing mode and asked questions. Turns out she hopes her kids have allergies so she can reassure them with stories of her childhood with allergies and so she can "cook cool things for them like mom". I started to explain that I would make cool food for her, even without food allergies, but had to stop myself because I don't really think that's true.
She had topical hives where formula and rice cereal touched her skin at 6 months and was later diagnosed with a milk allergy, just a class 2 RAST (along with wheat, egg, and peanut). Our allergist kindly reassured us of her likelihood to outgrow such a mild allergy by age 3 or 4. To further enhance our chances of a quick resolution, she suggested I remove all dairy from my diet while nursing and hold to strict avoidance when she started solids. Which I did, religiously. Fast forward 5 years... when an accidental sip of cow's milk sent her into anaphylaxis.
At that point, I realized all the kindly reassurances were a load of crap and we were in this for the long haul. That episode was the game changer, the point at which I realized she would have these allergies long enough to worry about herself, feel the exclusion, know her difference.
At that point, I realized all the kindly reassurances were a load of crap and we were in this for the long haul. That episode was the game changer, the point at which I realized she would have these allergies long enough to worry about herself, feel the exclusion, know her difference.
That was the point I realized I needed to make the coolest possible food for her, so she would never look longingly at another kid's lunchbox. I wanted to make sure other kids begged for her food, and she wouldn't even want what other kids had. I wanted her to eagerly share her treats. That's when Speedbump Kitchen was born, and it surely wouldn't have happened without the allergies.
So her wish to have children with food allergies (while odd, and I pray doesn't come true), is an affirmation of a mission accomplished. She doesn't see food allergy as an overwhelming negative, a handicap, or something scary. She sees food allergy through my eyes, as inspiration to do something exceptional for someone else.
Happy mother's day to all the exceptional allergy moms!
