Talking Allergies

As someone who practice teaches in various classrooms, a student today truly stood out. In this Grade 1 classroom, they were to categorize various foods (for Health class) under either: breads and grains, or dairy. One of the objects which they had to cut out was cereal, which technically could go under both as most people add milk to theirs.
Student "T" asked me how to pronounce the word: cereal. I told him, and he said "Oh yeah - I don't eat it." He then proceeded to explain to me that he CAN NOT have any cereal (unless it's dry) as he's anaphylactic to milk/dairy products.
This kid is 6 years old and clearly got his message across to me, as I'm sure he would have with anyone else. Having life threatening food allergies myself, I was very proud of this young boy. As I'm sure his parents would be had they been there.
Just wanted to say to all parents/guardians on this forum, that your kids are doing a great job, and especially in a school setting (where cross contamination is quite possible), they make SURE that people know about their allergies and what to do about them should a 'situation' ever arise. Good stuff!

Thanks for the story, Rocky. That's great that he was able to express himself so well.

Maybe you won't get the chance, but if you do, you could mention to his parents that there are things like rice milk and soy milk that he might be able to have, assuming he doesn't have other allergies. It would just be kind of sad that he thinks he has to eat his cereal dry just because they aren't aware of these options...

Take care!

K.

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Karen, proud Mom of
- DS1 (12 yrs): allergic to cashews, pistachios, Brazil nuts, potatoes, some legumes, some fish, pumpkin seeds; OAS
- DS2 (1o yrs): ana. to dairy, eggs, peanuts; asthma

I agree with Karen that you should mention alternative "milks" for this student. My son drinks Rice Dream and loves it. I can't imagine him not having any "milk".

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Jan, mom to 3 boys
DS#3 - eggs, cats, dust, eczema, avoiding nuts as a precaution
DS#2 - seasonal allergies
DS#1 - no allergies
Me & DH - seasonal allergies

The suggestions which you (Karen and My3boys) gave were great, thank you! Student "T" has brought So Good Soy Chocolate milk in 'juice box form' to class everyday. His teacher made handouts of 'alternatives' to 'common' foods, and his parents/guardians must have taken note. I'm sure his morning cereal tastes much less dry than before.
...btw: he has not brought Rice milk in to class yet, but he says he does have some at home since his little sister enjoys it a lot.

Hey - that's great. I'm glad he's got some dairy alternatives.

K.

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Karen, proud Mom of
- DS1 (12 yrs): allergic to cashews, pistachios, Brazil nuts, potatoes, some legumes, some fish, pumpkin seeds; OAS
- DS2 (1o yrs): ana. to dairy, eggs, peanuts; asthma