Sweet Lab School

OK, a little bit more of reveling ourselves. My son goes to the Lab School of Creative Learning. There are only about 14-15 kids in each classrooms, and 7 classes total as of today (K-6). The school has been VERY receptive of my son's allergies, and they have done a marvelous job accommodating him and making us feel safe.

- Pre-entry meeting with principle, teachers, health aid, school nurse have all been positive.
- Allergy conditions and medications are taken seriously and completely accomodated.
- There is good relay of information, we're not in touch all the time but the staff have all been accessible and available whenever needed.
- In the one case where my son needed medication, I felt confident matters were handled the best it could have. (He must have touched a carpet where some other kids wiped their peanut butter hand or cheezy hand, and then touched his face which got itchy, red, with some teary eyes and a bit of swelling - taken care with Benadryl.)
- After this small incident, the school went beyond my expectation and decided to go Peanut Free on their own.
- They have created a allergen free table for my son on their own as well - I don't remember if I gave some or any input, might have made some suggestions, but the school have decided what would be best and have kept my son safe.

Just the other day, the school had a kick off celebration for a fund raising effort, and everyone was served a root-beer-float. For my son, they have prepared a soy-based ice-cream he could have. I didn't know anything till afterwards. I was proud of the school that they could handle things with confidence and include my son even with this food celebration.

Thank you, Lab School!! What a great support you are - You are my son's PAL!

"Depressed Parents and the Effects on Their Children"

Here is another article I found online "Depressed Parents and the Effects on Their Children."

If you feel hopeless, depressed at any point when caring for your child with special needs, don't fret. You're not alone, and things can get better with the right action.

I am certainly still working on re-establishing (or maybe for the first time) my relationship with my son who has food allergies. It has not been an easy balancing act learning about his chronic medical problem, while taking care of myself. Sometime ago, I have felt like he was depressed (at the age of 4) and his pediatrician pointed out to me that I probably needed to be treated first - and I am so glad that I got to do so. Finally after 7 years since his birth, I am glad to report that I am finally getting into that stage where balance seems more like an achievable spot rather than a dream.

This PsychCentral seems to have a lot or articles to offer - thanks for the time of internet - so much helpful information out there.

GoPetition.com

I just learned of this site GoPetition.com and was thrilled. Not growing up here, writing petitions is not easy and this makes it very easy to get parents/caregivers voices together, e.g. so we could work on the school district to establish policies on food allergies!

Inspiring Children with Allergies Network (I-CAN)

Leader of local food allergy support group I-CAN (Inspiring Children with Allergies Network)has asked the group, if anyone might be interested in a "magazine share" group.

Each person in the group has a different magazine subscription and we share our monthly issues? ... I thought this would be a fun way to get the benefit without the pocket book. Magazines such as: Living Without, Prevention, Heathly Living, FAAN Membership (share newsletters), and many more. Let me know if interested-Catherine (rcateck (at) msn.com)

A great idea. She has been organizing I-CAN with our own meetings, coordinated meetings with local Asthma education group, Egg-free-Egg-Hunting and other fun events.

I-CAN has a mailing list that Catherine maintains, as well as a Yahoo Group another member (Pam) maintains. We are run by volunteers, mostly parents of children who have food allergic children. Some has other conditions such as eosinophilic esophagitis as well.

Through mailing lists, we try to exchange information about doctors, experiences, how to work with schools etc. One project a couple of members are working on right now is, to implement a policy in the school district regarding food allergies. More information on that could be found on this link.

For more information about the group, please contact Catherine (rcateck (at) msn.com, 226-6181).