Talking Allergies

This is about Kingston camps: http://www.thewhig.com/2012/08/02/city- ... ly-epipens

Allergic Living has previously reported on the Quebec situation this year: http://allergicliving.com/index.php/201 ... -injector/

And for U.S. readers, FAAN's Maria Acebal wrote this disturbing column in our Amer. Summer edition on "the guiding hand policy": http://allergicliving.com/index.php/201 ... all-wrong/

I find this shocking that there's such a disconnect between the realities of anaphylaxis and policies that are meant only to protect against liability.

And even if liability is a concern, isn't the lawsuit more likely to happen if you don't take action in an anaphylactic reaction?

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

What are they all so afraid of?

I have sent an email out to friends and also families of anaphylactic kids encouraging them to get in touch with the mayor and their city councillor about the policy. While my son was growing up this was not the policy. They have camp councillors who have allergies as well. I wonder how they deal with that.
I will keep you posted on responses.
Here is email with contact information. I would encourage people to send an email. I have found that the City is usually responsive to concerns. :
EMAIL
“I encourage you to sent an email to the mayor and your city councillor asking them to reconsider their policy on the administration of the epipen and city camps and programs.


Here is the Whig Article explaining their policy:

http://www.thewhig.com/2012/08/02/city- ... ly-epipens

Here is the link for email addresses for city councillor and mayor just clink on profile.

http://www.cityofkingston.ca/cityhall/c ... uncillors/


Please pass this on to anyone who has an anaphylactic child and or anyone you think can help advocate for anaphylactic children.”

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Mary

Is Anaphylaxis considered a disability and if so where can I find a reference to that fact?

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Mary

A response to a parent from the city :

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Mary

Cost impacts? How does that compare to a child's death or coma or whatever result from anaphylaxis?

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me: allergic to crustaceans plus environmental
teenager: allergic to hazelnuts, some other foods and environmental

It is sad but the bureaucrats sees money has a greater value than the life of a child. Very, very sad... and disturbing.

Great news. The City of Kingston have voted to change the policy and will begin training on August 20th. I spoke with the city rec department as did other parents. They looked at other policies and voted to change theirs so epipens will be administered if ever needed. They are revisiting the whole policy not just this part.

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Mary

Well done! That is advocacy at work to protect camp participants. Thank you on behalf of all the families who don't even know this happened.

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me: allergic to crustaceans plus environmental
teenager: allergic to hazelnuts, some other foods and environmental

That's great news, Mary. Bravo!

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Allergic to soy, peanut, shellfish, penicillin

Well done.

I ditto the well done!! You in most reality mgreenspan just saved a life!

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DD 12 yrs -no allergies
4 yr old DS - asthma/eczema Anaphylactic to Peanuts, all tree nuts, sesame , all pea/lentil legumes, gelatin.
Allergic to trees, grass,ragweed, feathers, dander, mold and dust.
Outgrew eggs, fish, shellfish

Anyone from Kingston who just read the Whig article from a few days ago that said that children were still encouraged to first self administer the epipen. This is incorrect. On the city form that you fill in when you register your child it gives parents/guardians a choice. Do you want your child to self administer or do you give permission for a city employee to administer.

The City needs to be congratulated for listening to concerns and being swift in changing their policy to accommodate children with life threatening allergies.

Such a relief!

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Mary