Many people do not understand that this is a life threatening allergy. They do not understand what a
"life threatening allergy" means or what it is like to live with one. Especially a peanut allergy.
Many believe it is an allergy where someone may just break out in a rash, or just have a runny nose.
It is not! It can be life threatening and precautions must be taken to be as safe as possible! Many people think if we "just don't eat em" we won't have a problem. This is not true either.
We hear from many people who tell us of their reactions from just the smell of peanuts. Many tell us they cannot go shopping in a supermarket because they will have reactions.
We hear from people who have gone to a place such as a stadium and have had reactions. We hear from people who have had reactions on planes. Some have informed us that their case was documented.
Many people have to fly for their jobs. We hear from people who try to protect themselves by wearing masks and gloves etc. Think of the risk they have to take!
Let others know what you do when you have to fly.
Lets not only go with the deaths for looking if peanuts are a problem on airlines, lets look at the other reactions as well. If someone has a minor or severe reaction but doesn't die, this should be taken as
just as important a statistic. We have heard from many who have had reactions on planes but were lucky their medications worked till they landed. If you have a reaction on a plane be sure to have it documented and let us know too! On the PeanutAllergy.Com Airlines page are some other important
places to contact.
Many people do not understand that it is not as easy as "just don't eat em". Many think we are "nuts".
They do not know what it is like for someone who has a peanut allergy. They sometimes forget that we are just trying to stay safe, just like they are, but we need some things that they may not need. They may not be able to comprehend yet what we have to go through and are dealing with. Many people do not know that they too can get this allergy. We hear from many people who are just getting this allergy as adults.
We need to let everyone know how they might be able to avoid getting this life threatening peanut allergy. We need everyone to work and participate to stop peanut allergy from affecting more and more people.
Many people do not have an education on peanut allergy. You can see this often when someone is fighting against us, (unless of course it is the peanut industry who is working to protect their business). I often wonder if the person fighting against us really knew about peanut allergy if they
would be fighting or be sympathetic. I see people fighting it on T.V. and radio etc. and from what they say I feel they need more education on it before they speak against it.
I have not yet met a person who would jeopardize my daughters life so they could eat a peanut containing food. I thank God that most people are compassionate and caring people. I wish it were as easy as being able to ask the people on the plane to please refrain from eating peanut products for
the short time they are on the flight. I don't think you would find someone very often who would look you in the eye and say they don't care, they are going to eat their peanut containing product anyway. It is to difficult for someone with peanut allergy, and to inconvenient for other passengers, to take the time to explain it before a flight. Imagine someone trying to educate a 747 full of people all about peanut allergy before a flight!
Let's educate everyone about this allergy. Join us!
Post your thoughts and comments to the boards and contact me at
[url="http://Chris@PeanutAllergy.Com"]Chris@PeanutAllergy.Com[/url]
to see how you can help!
<p>Even once a peanut free zone is established in a plane, many airlines do not understand that they cannot serve foods CONTAINING peanuts. For example, Delta served us Famous Amous cookies (including my peanut allergic 3 year old) in a "peanut free" flight. The bag was marked "May contain peanuts." What I have learned is that one MUST at all times CARRY BENEDRYL and the EPI-PEN. It is too easy and dangerous to rely on others. We must always be in the position to save our own lives and the lives of our children.</p>
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<p>Even once a peanut free zone is established in a plane, many airlines do not understand that they cannot serve foods CONTAINING peanuts. For example, Delta served us Famous Amous cookies (including my peanut allergic 3 year old) in a "peanut free" flight. The bag was marked "May contain peanuts." What I have learned is that one MUST at all times CARRY BENEDRYL and the EPI-PEN. It is too easy and dangerous to rely on others. We must always be in the position to save our own lives and the lives of our children.</p>
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<p>I have to share our most recent experience on a flight to Worcester, Massachusetts. It was my children's first time flying (4 yo son is peanut anaphylactic) and the way we were seated my son was seated next to a stranger and my husband was sitting on the other side of my son (by the window since it was a full flight and we all couldn't sit by each other). My daughter and I were seated across the aisle from them. When it came time for the peanuts to be served, I spoke up and said "no thanks, my son is deathly allergic to peanuts, even by touch). (She had already given the stranger his peanuts beforehand). I want you to know that this person, whom we had never before seen in our life, sat there without saying a word and NEVER opened his bag of peanuts after hearing what I told the Flight Attendant! A few minutes later the flight attendant came around and advised she had bags of pretzels and if anyone cared to have them. This gentleman spoke up and said he would like to exchange his bag of peanuts for pretzels. This will probably sound corny but I was absolutely overcome with emotion. All I could do was turn to him and say thank you with tears in my eyes. He said "your welcome." Those were the only words he and I spoke to each other on this flight. It is amazing that just the simple gestures people do in life can have such an inpact on us. With all the bad in the world, it warmed my heart to know there was a complete stranger looking out for my son!</p>
<p>Connie, your story brought tears to my eyes. There are so many kind and considerate people who would pass up the peanut snack to help keep someone safe. Unfortunately, the media surrounding the DOT directive, had a spin of too much government control versus helping your fellow man.<br />
At preschool, everytime someone asks me if a certain snack is safe, I thank them too!</p>
<p>Connie,<br />
I flew for the first time with my daughterlast week on Delta. I spoke to the attendant before we boarded about our situation and they removed the peanuts from the plane and replaced it with pretzels. I would ask next time before you board the plane if they wouldn't mind exchanging the food. I find most people to be caring and considerate. I flew next to some guy who listened to Katherines whole story. And I actually believed he was interested. I think most people just don't know. So rather than taking a risk ask the flight attendants first (they are the people who serve the food - so they can do something about it.) I found out that the 800 number and the ticketing agents did not do anything for me. So be persistent and keep asking people till someone says they will not serve peanut products. I don't think people fly for the peanuts and once airlines get informed maybe they will eliminate them all together if we keep bugging them. Also I was so glad to hear your story. It's nice to know that we are still a compassionate people.</p>