Not a Joke

There is also a well-known and very popular radio talk host in the Boston area (also syndicated to Seattle area) that periodically makes jokes about peanut allergy, especially in relationship to the airline industry. He hosted an hour long segment a while ago on the topic, too. He is definitely NOT sympathetic to us. Nancy

I did not see the sites you have referred to, but was very disturbed by a recent television show.
Did anyone see the episode of Just Shoot Me where Nina tells everyone that she is allergic to peanuts and that she had to give up the love of her life b/c he was a peanut farmer? The show goes on and she eats a whole container of peanut dip and then goes on a TV Talk sho with swollen lips b/c of her allergy?
Being an adult who has only recently become aware (2years ago - the hard way) how sever my allegry is, I was appalled. I found the episode disgraceful and irresponsible - what a terrible message to send out to those who are not aware of the dangers of the peanut allergy.
Hopefully one day the everyone will realize how serious this really is.
This is a great site by the way - I just discovered it yesterday!
Good luck everyone.
[This message has been edited by MaryM (edited March 26, 1999).]

Connie,
Yes, I read the article you had a link to "The Politics of Legumes", but wasnt' able to write a reply about it because I was too incensed. There is one word that sums up that writer--IGNORANCE. Any journalist worth his/her weight would research facts on a subject before writing about it. The ariticle is rife with erroneous "facts" and is purely this guy's selfish warped opinion. Its as if he is intentionally trying to antagonize those who are peanut allergic. Someone should write a letter to his journal's editor and set them straight with the scientific facts. [img]http://client.ibboards.com/peanutallergy/frown.gif[/img]
Here is an excerpt from the aritcle:
"Only 15 food-related fatalities were reported by the Centers for Disease Control in 1995, and killer peanuts may only have triggered a few of those deaths. Given the small number of these deaths, and the fact that peanut-allergy sufferers should be careful not to eat foods that hurt them, the overreaction is not even a justifiable one from the zealot's perspective. None of the government health authorities have suggested banning those with AIDS from sexual activity, or those who do not bathe from public libraries. To extend restrictive policies on health to such a frivolous, controllable allergy ought to be the last time any public health agency or group is taken seriously."
Don't we all wish the peanut allergy was just a frivolous allergy?!?!
[This message has been edited by brenda (edited March 26, 1999).]

I too am incensed about many jounalists lack of information and total disregard for the lives of the growing number of individuals with peanut allergy. We have a talk show host here in South Texas who has frequently poked fun at this allergy. I find it interesting that no smoking areas are an accepted and commonplace these days, and the danger of inhaling a few puffs of smoke is far less dangerous than a peanut allergic individual having contact with peanuts. Don't get me wrong, I am also a big proponent of no smoking areas, but it seems that the general public is much better educated about the dangers of smoking, so the jounalists don't touch that subject. I guess all we can do is to continue to raise awareness.
On a positive note, my new day care has decided to make the center a completely pb free center, and a letter and information about peanut allergy went out to the parents today. The letter was very detailed, and advised that children's hands and faces should be washed before coming into the center, and that as an added precaution the teachers would be cleaning hands and faces with wipees when the children entered. It advised parents not to let their children enter the center with food from home. I feel so fortunate that the director of the center was educated and caring enough to do this for my son and for future peanut allergic children entering the center.

Debbie, congratulations on getting the daycare to go peanut free. I know this is off the subject but how did you convince the daycare (to go peanut free) - I'm still having trouble convincing my director that it is a serious problem -
[This message has been edited by kbrosn (edited March 26, 1999).]

Hi KBrosn,
Prior to my son starting the day care, I printed as much info on pnt allergy from the net as I could. I included an article saying the pnt allergy was on the rise in children, along with some of the gorier ones involving fatal reactions. I think both of these articles helped make them aware of the severity of the allergy. I also printed a cross contamination article, and the director along with the cook read this, and the cook decided it would be much better for her not to have to deal with pb of pnt in the kitchen at all. I included the how to read a label handout from FAN, and the director and the cook both review everything in the pantry for potential pnt ingredients.
As I said, I think the articles on deaths and near deaths from reactions along with the article on pnt allergies being on the rise sealed the deal.
Good luck to you in getting your day care to go pnt free. I would be glad to give you any other info you need. I know the stress that goes along with wondering everyday what your child may be eating that could cause reactions.