Did you ever find a support group in Bergen County? I live in Hawthorne, border to Glen Rock and Ridgewood, NJ. I am really interested in finding a support group for my daughter. She really needs to talk to other kids who are PA. She is 9 and is really becoming aware of her condition.

Hi Lisa - no, haven't heard about any support group in our area yet (although I was looking for one for myself, not my son). I saw your post about your daughter, I am sorry she's struggling with anxiety over her PA. Have you called any of the area hospitals? I know of them have support groups for other things. Hackensack, or Valley in Ridgewood...I would even try St. Joseph's in Paterson since they are a children's hospital (they are excellent too.)
I live in the Paramus area - if you ever want to get a mom's support group going in Bergen county, I'm in! Or if you have time to email me, please do - I'd love to hear how you have handled you dd's PA in the school setting, as you seem to have done an excellent job of keeping her safe! Take care.

New Jersey families, check out this link. It was originally in the Media Forum, thanks to SF:
[url="http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~bvparks/peanut_patrol/peanutpatrol.htm"]http://www.eden.rutgers.edu/~bvparks/peanut_patrol/peanutpatrol.htm[/url]
Amy

mcmom, Sorry, I never saw your reply to my message. Nutlessinnj (Julie)is starting a group for parents in the Northwest Bergen, Passaic area and are going to start meeting in Ridgewood on July 27. Don't know if you are still interested.
As far as you question about my handling my daughter's situation in school, she sat at a peanut-free table in the lunch room and at a separate table in the classroom for snack. All of the kids had paper placemats on their desk for snack, which were discarded after. The kids that had peanut and peanut-containing snacks had to wash their hands after snack. She feels a little isolated at school at her table, but she is allowed to bring a friend to sit with her every day as long as their lunch is checked beforehand. The one thing that makes her feel good is that sometimes the kids fight over who will sit with her and it makes her feel really important. She has not really had any trouble in school and the school has become much more peanut aware, due to my vigilance and the nurse has always been my advocate since the principal is from the old school and does not deal with change very well. Dana has been doing somewhat better and has now become penpals with two kids from this site. She seems to have passed this last wave of anxiety, but I am sure their will be more to come. I am really looking forward to the support group starting. It will be so good to talk to other people and share experiences. Friends who do not experience this can listen, but do not necessarily truly understand the magnitude and all facets that are involved, I am looking forward to meeting people who will.

reraising for Mira

We are in Morris County NJ. My 5yo is allergic to tree nuts (esp walnuts), my 3.5yo is allergic to peanuts, treenuts. Anyone near me? I've had a rough few months and realzied a regular support group might be a good option.

The Food Allergy Support Group of Monmouth County will hold its next meeting on Sept. 7, 2005 at 7:30 p.m. at the Asthma, Sinus & Allergy Center, 1 Branch Ave., Red Bank. Guest speaker will be Dr Tina Zecca. We will also discuss the planning of the food-free Halloween party and our participation in The FAAN Walk

Here are a couple of other groups that deal with food allergy support in NJ
[url="http://www.alanewjersey.org/groups/asthmasupport/"]http://www.alanewjersey.org/groups/asthmasupport/[/url]
Essex County
Asthma & Food Allergy Support Group of Northern NJ
Saint Barnabas Ambulatory Care Center
200 South Orange Avenue, Livingston, NJ 07039
Meets every third Wednesday. Call for times.
Susan DiAnthony, 973-514-1654, [email]PalKidz@aol.com[/email]
Somerset County
Food Allergy and Asthma Support Group of Central New Jersey
Friends Conference Center at Arbor Glen
100 Monroe Street, Bridgewater, NJ 08807
Call for meeting dates and times.
Suzanne Cardali, 908-685-2275
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Jana
[url="http://www.seattlefoodallergy.org"]www.seattlefoodallergy.org[/url]

If anyone is in Ocean County, please email me.

I am in Northern NJ, Sussex County. Anyone know of a group in my area?? If so please e-mail me.
Thanks.