When I was younger, I became allergic to a wide variety of foods that prevented me from eating what all the other kids were eating. It made me feel separated from them for a time because I couldn't participate in the common practice of sharing food during lunch, but luckily, those allergies went away after a few years.
But food allergies in children can be a serious issue, as one mom is pointing out, and not just a health-related one.
Brandi Lingrosso’s 5-year-old daughter, Mia, was diagnosed with Celiac disease: She can't consume gluten and has been put on a special diet.
If she accidentally consumes a food containing gluten, she won't be in any immediate danger. The mother says that she will simply get a stomach ache, but that is all.
That's why she's upset that her daughter's school decided to isolate her at lunchtime, separating her from her classmates because of the food allergy. The school is afraid that other students will share food with Mia.
Lingrosso is outraged by this, knowing that this has made her daughter feel more isolated than ever. Now, she insists on bringing her daughter home for lunch, so she won't have to sit alone.
The school says that it is reconsidering its rules about allergies, considering the situation. If you have a child with an allergy who may feel left out because of it, you can help explain what the condition is to help him or her feel more included both at home and at school.
Do you think this school took appropriate action? Or are there other ways to deal with a student's allergy at lunchtime? Let us know what you think in the comments!
Please SHARE if you have children with allergies at home!
