Washington Post article 10-05-99

We had several calls early this morning from relatives and friends about the WASHINGTON POST article. We thought the article was well done and did a good job of explaining the consequences of a PA reaction. I will be handing out copies of the article to the parents of my PA son's pre-K class. The teacher has asked us to make a presentation about peanut allergies at Back TO School night next week. Our son wound up at Children's Hospital on day three of the school year when a classmate accidently brought in peanut butter crackers for lunch. We were lucky that they dealt with it promptly at the school and immediately started treatment. This type of article goes a long way in educating the general public. Do you know of others (that aren't negative) that I can refer to in our presentation?

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I thought the article was well written and I will give a copy to my daughter's school. I, however, see FAN's haunting words, "A ban can give you a false sense of security". These words will more than likely haunt me forever.
I did write a letter to the editor of the Washington Post about the article and the haunting words.

Here is a copy of my letter to the editor:

Thank you for publishing the PEANUT-FREE SCHOOL ZONE. Our daughter has life threatening allergies to peanut products. She started kindergarten this year and her school is trying to be very cooperative while not out right banning peanut products from the school.

The article was very informative and Schulte did a good job of reporting the facts.

I was mystified and surprised by Heather Allen's statement, "A ban can give you a false sense of security." I would be amazed if any parent of a peanut allergic child ever feels a sense of security let alone a false sense of security.

We have a "peanut product free" home. This does not mean that others entering the home are peanut free. What did they eat before they came to our home. Was it any form of peanut product? Did they wipe their hands on their clothes after eating that handful of nuts or making and eating that peanut butter sandwich? That peanut product kiss can be the kiss of death for our child.

Our daughter has had two severe reactions from "peanut product" kisses.

A false sense of security cannot happen because security is not there to begin with.

A ban on peanut products in schools simply reduces the odds of my child dieing from peanut product exposure at school. I am greatful for any assistance that helps increase her odds of survival.

Thank you for publishing the article and educating the public on the seriousness of a peanut product allergy.

**** This ends my letter to the editor ****

Sue in Sunny Arizona

Sue,
I understand the day to day worry of is this call the one I have been fearing? But at the same time, I agree with the mother in the article. I want my daughter to learn to take care of herself and how best to stay safe. If she can begin to learn this in school where the staff is aware and we educate the parents and childern, then all the more power to all.

MaryLynn

Sue,

[b]Excellent reply[/b] to the Washington Post!

What a powerful statement you said regarding the "false sense of security" issue. You hit the nail on the head when you pointed out in your letter that "security isn't there to begin with."

I, too, thought the article in the Washington Post was very informative. We need more positive awareness regarding this allergy.

Stay safe.

[This message has been edited by Connie (edited September 06, 1999).]

I thought the article was great. I have copied it to give to my school as well. I felt the most important statement written was also the scariest for me to read. It was the fact that of six fatal reactions studied in one year four were in a school setting. That statement may help to wake up the school nurses, teacher, and principals - THIS IS SERIOUS! It certainly is a sobering thought to ponder for both schools and parents.
I also have to agree with Sue. Enough with this "false sense of security" mantra.

just bumping this to the top -

Sue

[This message has been edited by Sue (edited June 02, 2001).]

The link goes to the Washington post, but the article is not there anymore under that path name.