I just read the recent article in The Washington Post by Petula Dvorak entitled “Until peanut allergy cure is found, it’s not unreasonable to mind our PB&J’s”. I recommend that you read it as well. The writer begins the article in the typical don’t infringe on my right to eat peanut butter stance but the author, to her credit, visits with some families in a new peanut free area at a Washington Senators baseball game to see the other side of the story. What she came away with was a new perspective on how taking precautions and accommodating those with food allergies can make a big difference in their quality of life. She even equates it to some other precautions people often take,
“We take precautions every day to minimize risks, however remote, to ourselves and our children. Isn’t that why we have the kids in car seats, bike helmets and crosswalks? Why we take aspirin to help our hearts and avoid the golf course during a lightning storm?
Until a real cure is found, maybe it’s not so unreasonable to ask us to ditch our PB&Js.”
As always, the comment sections of news articles on food allergies are where two classes of people really shine: the uneducated and the uncaring. I’m always amazed at the comments claiming that food allergies are psychosomatic. This means my just-over one-year-old daughter (at the time of her first allergic reaction) had the mental capacity to have a psychosomatic reaction. I find that hard to believe. Next thing you know, they will suggest that she eat some dirt and suck on some pennies. Oh wait, they did suggest that.
Regarding the uncaring comments, I always enjoy reading the ones that spew statements about restricting their right to eat what they want, when they want. You know what, they’re right. At times, I do want them to make a concession that trades their right to eat a specific food if doing so might protect my child’s life. The way I see it. If Christ was willing to sacrifice his life and die for someone as sinful and undeserving as me, shouldn’t I be willing to sacrifice something as minor as what food I am eating if it means that it could protect someone else, especially a child? Independent of religion, sacrificing things for others in order to protect them is a way for us to show that we care about them. If a person isn’t willing to make a sacrifice that might protect the life and health of someone else, what does it say about that person?
On a side note, kudos to SunButter (Twitter @sunbutter4life) for mentioning this article on Twitter even though the author states she hates sunflower butter. SunButter is a great product that too often is cast as a substitute for peanut butter when it should just stand on its own as great tasting product.
I had mixed feelings about that article in the Wash. Post, but I guess it was good that the author was honest about her feelings while still managing to be respectful of those of us raising children with life-threatening peanut allergy. I’m not sure people who DON’T live with this allergy realize how many times some of us just avoid certain events (like baseball games). I’ve had to walk my child out of parties early when Reese’s peanut butter cups came pouring out of pinatas. But we’ve also been blessed by friends and family who “get it” and don’t mind skipping their beloved peanut butter briefly so that my child can join in the fun. I hope the Post article might make someone think twice about insisting on their right to eat peanuts anytime, anyplace, no matter who they might be excluding.
Thank you for writing this. I didn’t post the article today on my Facebook page or Twitter, since I’m still processing it. I did interact today with Sunbutter, and I too credit them for posting the article. I was shocked by the comments too, but having said that, it is interesting to see how the author and those commenting think. I spend my entire day on food allergy issues, and I lose sight of that sometimes.
I thought you had a wonderful take on the whole thing. Why aren’t we able to make sacrifices for others today? Asking someone to give up ANYTHING seems like it’s asking too much. People become inflamed!!
My sons big allergy is wheat. Can you imagine if I asked for a wheat free baseball game? No pretzels, pizza or no BEER?? They’d riot in the streets!
Thanks for sharing your view point on this. I shared it on Facebook.
Thanks for the article update! I didn’t see this one. We got tickets to one of the Nationals games. Can’t wait! We never get to go. Once my husband could only take our son for his b-day and I had to stay home w/our daughter who has food allergies. 🙁
I think the article was well written. It showed her true feelings and you can tell the sequence in her thought process. Going from the “why am I inconvenience” to “wow, it’s difficult to manage”.
It bothers me a bit that she writes about a “jihad on Jif” by the “peanut police” when those of us with PA/TNA are just trying to stay alive and well. When will the world (generally-speaking) accept that this is a serious medical condition?!?
Thank your for posting! I love your blog and I’m subcribing to your news feed.
Ursula and 2 P/A Kids