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Johanna
26-11-2008, 02:28 PM
Hi

I'm here on behalf of my son who's 7 and was diagnosed with dairy allergy at 5 months, and egg allergy at 1. I'm new to the site but not to living with such allergies...which comes as naturally as breathing now, so I'd like to think I might be able to help some of you along the way.

We do ok. He eats well, we eat out, he and his sister (who's 4) are very aware of what he can and cannot have. I've been advised by the paediatrician not to give either of them nuts til they're 7...but dread introducing them to my son's diet!!! I sat in the hospital grounds when I first gave my daughter dairy milk, in case she reacted. I was soooo scared. Even now, even after checking, I watch him carefully when he eats something he's not had before.

I make my own Christmas cake and pudding keeping egg out, using a substitute, and he loves that he can eat that (except the marzipan lol).

I ADORE that he can eat shellfish!! Such an allergen, and he's fine! I mean, I know people can be allergic to anything, but I worried he might have lots of allergies. Anyhow. Each new experience as it comes!

My most recent nightmare is school dinners. He's been having them for 2 years and they're brilliant with him...however, the new school menu has come out, and frankly there are days when he (and vegans) can only have vegetables - there's nothing else on offer. The vegetarian alternative is usually cheesy!! He can't have the casseroles as they use gravy with lactose in (then buy an alternative!!!) Anyhow, I'm in to see someone from the council next week. She was so defensive!! I'll let you know how I get on.

rebecca c
26-11-2008, 07:52 PM
Welcome to the site Johanna - it certainly sounds like you have a lot of experience we could all benefit from especially people with children and allergies ( a lot of whom visit the site for advice)

cnc
26-11-2008, 08:57 PM
Welcome to the site:)

It's always worth mentioning the Disability Discrimination Act, which I believe covers allergies under the definition of them being a significant and long term impact on the persons life. I was really lucky when I was living on site at university the chef would make me something suitable if there was nothing on the lists that I could eat. It's not that difficult to stick a bit of plain chicken or something in the oven with the rest of the food. Not much use to the Vegans I know, but they could have a quorn chicken or something.
I also told Social Services that I'd hold them personally responsible if they forced me to have ready meals that they couldn't guarantee were totally dairy free, they refused to take this responsibility and allowed me to have the help I need- sometimes you just have to stand your grounds with these things. Good luck :)

Johanna
27-11-2008, 12:50 PM
Thanks to you both, and Claire especially I shall look up DDA and quote that if necessary ;)

Copper
27-11-2008, 01:17 PM
Welcome to the site Johanna. I am sure that we can all learn something from you.

I have a number of food intolerances which makes eating out tricky.