A Half Full Attitude on Life

There are plenty of downsides to food allergies. It’s not a life I would choose if I had a say in the matter. However, I believe you should make the best out of life with the cards you are dealt. With Thanksgiving approaching, I have decided to make a list of the positives that have come into our lives because of allergies. Some days are more difficult than others, but today (and most days) I choose to be thankful for the healthy life of my child despite the always present risks.

1. You get to try new foods that many other people haven’t had before.

Peanut butter substitutes are not that bad. Sunbutter (made from sunflower seeds) is actually really tasty, and who knew you could make something from GOLDEN PEAS taste just like peanut butter (congrats, No-Nut Butter).

2. You have the opportunity to learn how to better communicate with others.

You must learn how to step outside your comfort zone when needing to make a special request or ask specific questions about foods and events from your family, friends, and even strangers.

3. You are able to grow closer as a family.

When you are faced with a difficult situation that cannot be changed, it gives you many ways to bond as a family and pull together for a common cause. When you need each other’s’ support, comfort, and help, you become stronger together.

4. Your eating habits just might improve.

We have been a generally healthy family all along. However, when you HAVE to read every label of everything you put in your cart, you notice unhealthy ingredients and alarming sodium content that you never noticed before. After reading a label with very few recognizable or pronounceable ingredients, it becomes much harder to just throw it in your cart and move on. Our journey encouraged us to eat healthier foods with more natural ingredients and to find substitutes for our favorites that are better for our bodies.

5. You gain a more realistic view of mortality.

This may not seem like a positive, but the truth is that any one of us could die at any time. We've always known it, but we try not to think about it. Knowing the truth of the severe risks with food allergies forces you to deal with the fact that you cannot completely control your fate or the fates of those you love. You simply do your very best and trust God to help you not be controlled by fears and uncertainties.

6. You learn it’s ok to need other people.

Through this experience, I've learned it’s ok to show people some vulnerability. It’s alright to tell a friend you feel overwhelmed and need someone to listen. It’s ok to go to a support group meeting! It may seem like it’s better or that you are stronger if you don’t need anyone, but that thinking only cheats you and your family of a better you.

7. You can relate to a group of people who, although growing each year, is still the minority (which is good…we don’t want to be the majority!)

This community of people have all experienced similar struggles, fears, and triumphs that other people simply wouldn't understand. You can laugh together about things that wouldn't make sense to others (like compulsively wiping tables out in public, practicing with your expired Epi Pen on an orange, and the celebration in the middle of the grocery store when you find that for once the cheaper option IS the allergy safe option).

8. You notice others’ struggles more and have more compassion for them.

You are reminded that although your child is living with a serious condition, there are so many ways that your child is happy, intelligent, healthy, and wonderful. You are reminded to pray for those parents feeling alone and struggling through any health situation with their children- no matter how big or small it may seem.

9. Disney World becomes all the more magical.

Ever since I learned that Disney is a very allergy friendly place, I have dreamed of the day I might get to take my children there. I get excited to think of handing my kid a menu and saying, “Pick whatever you want. You can even have dessert!”

10. You become smarter!

You are now filled with all kinds of information that other people don’t know. You know more about labels, ingredient names, medical procedures, epinephrine laws in schools, and super big words like anaphylaxis. If you had to take a test and saw the question, “What are the top 8 food allergens and how must these items be treated on food labels in the US today?” you wouldn't even flinch!

There, you have it! Ten ways your life may not be ruined after all when you find out someone you love has a severe food allergy. Here’s to a glass half full…cheers!