Staying Safe on Summer Adventures
Last summer, as usual, I had many experiences involving food allergies, but I was able to manage my food allergies while still having fun. When you have food allergies, it seems like everything you do takes an extra step of planning. For example, the day before school started, a bunch of my friends and I went to Six Flags Great America. I had never been to a big place like that, so I was a little nervous. On top of that, I had my allergies to worry about. We were there all day, so I had to bring something to eat. I’m basically allergic to everything in the park, and my parents and I agreed that I wouldn’t eat any food from there, especially since there would be no adult with us. Most of the people in the group I was going with knew how to use my epinephrine, but it is always better to be safe. Six Flags is a gigantic place, and if I was having an allergic reaction, chances are the paramedics would not be able to easily find me. I ended up carrying everything in a fanny pack. At first I didn’t want to, because it looked dorky, but it was the best option. I would normally carry a purse, but on the big roller coasters, you have to put any carry- on items in a bin. Lots of times, people steal out of those bins, and I would not want to get my phone or anything else taken. I had to pack my lunch in my fanny pack too. Although I was just going to Six Flags for a day, it took lots of planning.
Another summer experience that involved my food allergies was baby-sitting. I absolutely love little kids, so I am always excited when I get to baby-sit. The only hard part is when I have to serve the kids foods that contain my allergens. The parents usually know that I have allergies, and if they don’t, I find an appropriate time and tell them. But still, lots of times I am allergic to what the kids eat for dinner or snacks. Usually I don’t have to make the dinner, I just have to get everything out and put it on their plates, and then clean it up. I always try to be as careful as possible. For example, one time a 4-year-old girl’s mom told me that she had to drink milk with her dinner. Right after pouring her the milk I washed my hands. When she was done with dinner, I had her wash her hands, and after I cleaned up, I thoroughly washed my hands again. With food allergies, some things in life take an extra step, but once you get used to it, it just becomes a part of your everyday life.
