QuoteSusan Clemens said...@David, severe food allergies are very different from most other disabilities. Unfortunately, it isn't enough to teach our children to say no to unsafe foods. Anaphylaxis requires only that the allergen enter the blood stream. This can be through digestion, inhalation, absorption...even a mucous membrane such as eyes, nose or mouth can be enough to cause a reaction.
Many school surfaces are shared during the long hours that children are at school. Is it too much to ask that certain foods be restricted or that proper handwashing techniques be enforced?
My daughter has severe (anaphylaxis) allergies to many foods but I have never requested that the school ban all of them. I do ask that they limit or restrict those which, due to their physical nature are very hard to contain the spread of.
I would ask you to consider that this medical condition is unlike most other medical conditions because we really do rely upon others to help us keep our children safe. In that way, food allergies are more like driving. We rely upon others to use caution and common sense so that we can all enjoy the benefits.