Words of Wisdom
I have received numerous pieces of wonderful advice about managing my food allergies from being part of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network, being a member of TAG, and attending the FAAN Teen Summit. Just like with everything, some things work well for me, while others do not. There are some typical tips, such as carrying your epinephrine with you at all times, to always reading labels, and talking to managers and chefs at restaurants before eating there. However, the advice I like and live by tends to be deeper than that.
The best general piece of advice that I have received is to educate others about your allergies. Educate, educate, educate. You could be in danger if the people around you are not educated and you have a reaction. It may be hard and awkward to teach people about your allergies, but the more you do it, the easier it gets, and most importantly, the safer you become. Safety is the most important thing, in terms of food allergies. Without feeling comfortable in daily life, you are not living life to its fullest. As difficult as it may sound to educate your friends, classmates, and teachers about your food allergies, it will definitely be worthwhile in the end.
My best advice to other individuals is to not feel like you are alone and to never lose hope. There are millions of people out there with allergies just like yours, and you should take advantage of the opportunities to meet them. Getting involved adds a sense of enjoyment to your allergies. Never feel like your allergies are in the way, and never let them stop you from doing whatever it is that you love to do. They can be a bump in the road sometimes, but by planning ahead and taking action, you can easily drive over it and move on.
