So we went to check out a new daycare today for Chalice when I someday have a job and we can afford to have her in daycare again. I am again surprised how ignorant people are about epilepsy, seizures, and the ketogenic diet. I am not sure why I seem to be the only one that thinks it is ridiculous that food allergies are more important than a diet that prevents seizures. I understand that food allergies are serious and that kids who are allergic to certain foods should not be exposed. The big however is that I don't think parents of kids with food allergies understand that the ketogenic diet is just as important and that it is way more restrictive than a kid who is allergic to a couple of foods. The ignorance on this is beyond words as it is SO frustrating that the daycares will go so far as to ban these allergy foods from the building. Totally illegal is what I think about that. It feels like major discrimination for a child who needs those foods to control seizures. I am almost 100% sure that a public school cannot ban certain foods from the premisis as it would have to be a state or federal law for that to occur. Why are daycares above the law to not allow equality or at least allow for exceptions?
The funniest thing is that I haven't talked to one adult who thinks I am way off on this argument. Anyone who took the time to understand the ketogenic diet and understand the commitment involved would never in a million years think that restricting foods for allergy reasons is a reasonable thing to do.
We liked the daycare and Chalice seemed to like it too so we will see. I am just not happy that I have to abide by some made up rules and that no one seems to think the ketogenic diet is important enough to make an exception. The food we make is only for Chalice so why should it affect other kids?
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As a mother of a child with a severe nut allergy, I can tell you how it would affect him. If Chalice sat next to him while eating a PB sandwich, she might get PB on her hand, touch something and a bit of it rubs off. Then Kian touches the same surface and goes into full on anaphalactic shock. A caregiver would have 30 seconds to get his epi-pen and give him a dose and pray that he responds to it before he dies. I know that sounds really severe, but is really is possible for that to happen to Kian.
ReplyDeleteKian's preschool has a no nut policy. We are lucky that another child in his class has a nut allergy and has an epi-pen as well so the parents and teachers are aware of where all foods are processed...Kian has reactions to anything processed near nuts.
Now, when Kian goes to kindergarten next year it is possible that they will have him sitting at a table with other nut allergy kids. It does make me sad that he probably won't be able to sit with his friends at all...and might even have to sit alone :( But really, I would rather than then not have him around anymore.
So, I can understand day cares having policies in place about high allergy foods not being allowed in their center. Although, it is possible that they could sit Chalice away from the other children and thoroughly sanitize the area she ate at to make sure no one will have a reaction if they touch it later in the day.
Both situations are very important to both of our children. And as they get older, it will really become less of an issue as Kian will learn what he feels if he senses a reaction coming on or what foods he cannot eat at all. But I really understand your frustration...I would say only 5% of the people I talk to about Kian's allergy actually grasp what exactly has to be done to keep him safe.