What Role Do We All Play In Keeping Allergic Children Safe and Included?

Reflection:
What should or shouldn't be
packed?

I just read a great blog post called Back To School and Anaphylaxis from Corrie at Retromummy.  She brings up an important point: we ALL have a role to play in preventing allergic triggers.  She includes good tips for packing safe school snacks and lunches and how to go about ensuring safe playdates.  Her expressed support feels like a thousand hugs.  I have enjoyed reading the many comments in response to the post.  Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the role we all have as parents in providing a safe and inclusive environment for our children, in this case, food allergies.  One posted comment highlights that food allergies are not a lifestyle choice, they are a "life choice".  And yes, as a parent, this can come across as overly intense; but in my experience monitoring my own food allergies along with my childrens' requires a high level of vigilance, precaution and energy.  Many people do not realize how serious allergies can be and what goes into keeping an allergic child safe.  At the same time, many people do offer support.  What has your experience been?

What do "safe" and "included" mean to you? What kind of dialogue is needed between parents and teachers at school and between parents for playdates? This article from a local Houston magazine examines how to have successful playdates with personal stories from allergic families.  

Allergy-Friendly Entertaining Ideas

So great to come across allergy-conscious articles on entertaining with food.  It is great to feel included, no?  It is great to a have a host make sure an allergic person, especially child, feels included and safe.
Check out these ideas for baby showers:
http://blogs.babble.com/family-kitchen/2012/07/12/allergy-free-recipes-for-your-baby-shower/
They bring up a good idea for avoiding cross-contamination:  put out items on separate tapas-style plates with separate serving utensils for each one.  No bananas mixing with the strawberries, thanks!

How funny, and later in the day I stumbled upon this question: How far should a guest go to accommodate?  Some good comments to read on this subject. 

 http://www.thekitchn.com/restrictive-diets-burden-of-the-guest-or-host-the-new-york-times-174088

I struggle with how much to hope for as a guest, especially with an allergic child.  I just feel that it comes down to basic empathy and wanted to include vs. exclude.  

And check out: 
http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/dealing-with-food-allergies-as-a-host-180304

Delicious Meals to Feed Us Difficult Dinner Guests

I just finished reading this post on a favorite website, www.thekitchn.com.  I thought I'd include the link for  ideas and future reference.  I did note the use of sesame in several of the dishes, something to just work around.  Well put, "To the engaged cook, however, these guests and challenges are not moments of exasperation — they are inspiration and a challenge to create something delicious in constrained circumstances."


http://www.thekitchn.com/the-most-difficult-dinner-guest-ever-and-5-delicious-meals-to-feed-them-169102