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I had planned on writing another post today, but events of the past few days have been playing on my mind, to such an extent that I thought I should share and see what others think.

It all started with a blog post from my lovely friend @ChubbaNia on Sunday, written as a direct result of a particularly unpleasant tweet she received. Nia suffers with a similar amount of food allergies to Callum. She struggles on a daily basis to overcome them and live life as ‘normally’ as possible. This particular post essentially told her to man up and deal with it and that it was ‘her fault’ she wasn’t well and to ‘just go find a solution’.

Yup, it didn’t make for pleasant reading.

Then yesterday afternoon, I got pulled into a discussion over a tweet by the infamous Katie Hopkins, stating that children with allergies were merely ‘fussy eaters’ and flippantly saying it was all a load of rubbish.

The world of twitter and facebook went bonkers with responses from people of all fields of the allergy world.

I was asked for my take on it, and initially my response was to go in, all guns blazing, to explain how serious allergies are, and that they’re not to be taken lightly. Nor should flippant comments be made from someone so prominent in the public eye as it makes the fight against allergies much harder than it already is.

But then, I took a step back, and really thought about it.

Yes, the harsh reality of allergies, means that when you read provocative posts, it literally makes your blood boil. You pretty much seethe inside due to the volume of anger you feel.

It may seem like a flippant comment to someone who wants to create a sensation on the internet to snatch 5 minutes more of fame.

Reality is very different.

Reality is watching your precious child try to fight a reaction so severe, you’re not really sure if they’re going to make it (and daren’t voice your fears because it’s too frightening to comprehend if you give them a voice).

Anyone in the allergy world knows that trying to teach the uneducated and misinformed is a daily uphill struggle.

If only life were as simple as ‘manning up’ and ‘finding a solution’.

I long for the day when I can go to sleep at night, not having to worry about when Callum will wake up in pain/ discomfort in the night.

I yearn for a time when we can go out for the day and not have to worry about cross-contamination if we eat out.

I live in hope of the day I can do a food shop without the need to check the ingredients of every single item, just in case manufacturing methods have changed or they’ve added a new ‘unsafe’ ingredient.

Nia has to put up with this on a daily basis, as does Callum, and anyone else afflicted with allergies.

Nia fights every day, as does Callum.

I dread the day Callum becomes aware of all this, and has to start fighting for himself. No-one should be put in that position, when they certainly didn’t ask to suffer with allergies, particularly to such an extreme.

So, there’s really 2 angles to this argument:

  • Pure rage and anger at such thoughtless comments
  • Pure calm in the knowledge that feeding their ego will only serve to make them continue in this behaviour

Each person will react differently. What I think and feel about this, will be the complete opposite to someone else.

And that’s ok!

People are allowed to have their own individual opinions.

That’s what makes us human.

Maybe, the only additional point I will add to this….. We’re all human, so maybe it might be better to show some human kindness!

Life is too short!

Comments   

0 # Guest 2014-07-09 21:19
Reblogged this on carrotsandmaplesyrup.
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0 # Guest 2014-07-09 22:01
I try to remember to only worry about the opinion of people who matter to me and to those around me. Therefore I decided to not to find out what was going on.
It isn't helpful to put stuff out there in case anyone reads it and is convinced by it, but I live with hope that that's less likely than we might think.
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0 # The Intolerant Gourmand 2014-07-10 15:45
That's all any of us can do, live in hope! :) x
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0 # Guest 2014-07-10 09:59
My son is one and has multiple allergies and anaphylaxis. Although I am looking forward to the day he understands as hopefully it will keep him a bit safer, I hate the idea that he will always be labelled by this and have to face all these ignorant comments. Here's what I thought of the Katie Hopkins comments http://www.freefromfarmhouse.co.uk/dairy-free/katie-hopkins-frivolous-food-allergies/
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0 # The Intolerant Gourmand 2014-07-10 15:44
I totally agree, I absolutely hate the idea that C will one day have to face all this himself too! As if they don't have enough to deal with, without these comments as well!
Great blog post too! x
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0 # Guest 2014-07-10 11:52
Great blog post! It is so hard to not get dragged into these such discussions by ignorant people who will remain that way because they cannot open themselves up to what is going on around them (and probably read a certain paper and believe the rubbish it feeds them). It is best to leave these people well alone...they will not be educated and it is sad that we have to put up with them but as you say, everyone is different. Just don't take what they say seriously. There are plenty of us out there with oodles of support and kindness to offer...think about us instead!
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0 # The Intolerant Gourmand 2014-07-10 15:39
Thank you! It's support from lovely peeps such as yourself that makes things easier, for sure! And of course, there's always support here for everyone too! :) x
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0 # Guest 2014-07-30 13:41
Reblogged this on whatallergy.com and commented:
I have been lucky really in that the people around me, my friends, family and colleagues have all been really supportive in helping me stay safe living with multiple allergies. However I do find that people have no such qualms about commenting on the state of my skin, my eczema, which is triggered and made much worse by certain allergens. I know all to well how hard it is to smile and explain that yes I have been to the doctor, that it's just eczema, yes it does hurt and no I won't wear make up to hide it so you don't have to look at my red sore face. The Intolerant Gourmand has hit the nail right on the head. Just a little empathy and kindness is all that's required. We are all just humble human being trying to get on with our lives.
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0 # The Intolerant Gourmand 2014-08-17 13:31
It is so hard when people have 'opinions' on how your skin looks, eczema being 'bad' etc! It makes me so sad when people do that to Callum. He's oblivious at the moment, but he does pick up on people staring at him when he's having a bad skin day, and kind of quizzically looks at them, wondering why he's the focus of their 'attention'. I'm so sorry that you experience this prejudice too!! x
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0 # Guest 2014-07-30 13:46
Excellent blog. Trying to reblog but have never done that before so bear with me. Has it worked? No idea... Love the reblog idea. Might add that to my blog. We should all share our great blogs more and get the word out there. And I do know what you mean, when I first had my peanut allergy my mum and me didn't know what the reactions were. My mum knew it was bad, she knew because she sat at my bedside waiting for it to pass, but back then (I'm 41) we didn't have adrenaline injectors. Doctors just said don't eat nuts, which sounds awful but actually, not know how serious it was might have been a blessing. How does a kid deal with that? Life is tough enough without that to contend with too. All you can do is teach him how to keep himself safe, spot unsafe situations and avoid cross contamination. He will surprise you probalby with how well he copes but I know it must be terrifying. Just ask my mum! The worry doesn't stop when you big kid is 41!
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0 # The Intolerant Gourmand 2014-08-17 13:33
Aww, thank you so much!! I just want to help as many people as possible, and let people know that they're not alone. There are others out there, helpful ones, that will help them through the tough time of trying to learn to cope with allergies, eczema etc, and that it's not this big black hole with no way out.
If it helps just one person feel that it's ok, and they have support, then it's worth it! x
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