Our writer Caroline lets her imagination loose on what she’d really like for Mother’s Day, and sets it to a playlist. But this is more than a tuneful reverie. Caroline emerges from her fantasy to pay mad respect for allergy moms – and the difference they are making.
Music choice to read by: chill lo-fi mix
Slowly stretching my stiff back while rubbing the sleepiness out of my dreamy state, I climb out of bed and shuffle to the shower.
I’m pleasantly surprised to discover a lovely new set of grapefruit-scented, allergen-friendly products, topped with a teal bow, stacked on the bathroom counter. This allergy mom is ready to kick off Mother’s Day.
Calming melodies softly play in the background as I pause to sip a piping hot vanilla chai latte. Stepping out of the shower and into my luxurious new Egyptian cotton robe, I scroll through my smartphone. My heart races as I read today’s big headline: “Peanut and Milk Allergy Cure is Found; Food Allergy Moms Across the Globe Celebrate.”
Cue music: turn up Dance the Night Away by Dua Lipa
Hearing my screams of excitement, my family comes running to see what’s going on. (Since it’s my fantasy, they’re impeccably dressed, with perfectly coiffed hair.) After we soak in the good news together, I leisurely dress. Then my husband herds us to the car to celebrate Mother’s Day with a picnic – complete with a full basket of ‘friendly’ food.
Stopping at a new deli searching for safe potato chips and drinks, the owner whisks us inside to show off his new top allergen-free menu. He enthuses about the “life-changing” allergy food-service training his team completed. (His words, not mine – although this is my daydream, so maybe they are mine). The owner explains that his staff will kick off 10-minute monthly food allergy discussions on Monday, and they couldn’t be any happier about it.
Heading home from the picnic, my phone lights up with an urgent text. On Monday, Congress will approve expanding the Top 9 list of priority allergens to 14 allergens, including alpha-gal. Also imminently, the FDA will require allergen labeling for all medications and personal-care products! Eureka, progress at last!
Cue music: pop on Ain’t No Stopping Us Now by McFadden and Whitehead
Back in my living room, I stretch on the couch, fuzzy teal socks warming my toes. While I catch up on the latest Allergic Living newsletter on my phone, hubby and the kids prepare dinner. They’re making homemade, allergy-friendly focaccia to accompany my favorite quinoa vegetable soup.
Ending this glorious day, a quick cruise through TikTok shows an emerging trend focused on mental wellness and inclusion for people with food allergies. The need seems understood, no more complicated dance. A win for those who have a stiff back (just sayin’)!
Cue music: Dynamite by BTS
Reality Has Allergy Mom Magic
But let’s step out of my musical daydream and look straight at reality. This Mother’s Day is more than honoring mom. It’s about celebrating all the amazing women in our food allergy community – the ones who have become a mother to all our children through their passion.
From pressing for inclusive school policies and chaperoning field trips, to lobbying for accommodating legislation, women perform their “food allergy magic” all the time.
Some moms head to Congress to educate lawmakers. Others write letters and work behind the scenes to create laws to protect those with food allergies. In short, allergy moms are a force, they make a difference. And collectively, we all reap the benefits.
We moms uplift each other and share tips, tricks, triumphs and failures. Allergy moms live authentically and without apologies. Dark circles under their eyes tell the stories of late-night safe baking, research, or tears of frustration over exclusion or bullying.
Food allergy moms tap into their legal, communication, medical, or artistic skills to influence and help. Their commitment is boundless when it comes to improving the quality of life for those with food allergies.
Every day, they share food allergy stories – with relatives, schools, restaurants, food makers or researchers conducting clinical trials. Online and through support groups and PTAs, allergy moms support each other. They show a tireless passion for being a shoulder to cry on, or an ear for good old-fashioned venting.
Advances are Being Made
Cue music: Thank You by Celine Dion
I do wish for a magical Mother’s Day complete with a picnic. But the truth is that the magic is with us every day. Advances are slower than in my fantasy, but strides are definitely being made.
Researchers are working hard on emerging food allergy treatments, even repurposing drugs approved for other conditions. One such drug shows promise as a food allergy pill. We have more hope for therapies than ever before, from Xolair’s FDA-approved anti-IgE therapy, to emerging biosimilars that should make this biologic drug (omalizumab) more affordable.
Advocates are lobbying hard for legislation to require allergen transparency on restaurant menus in multiple states. Others are pressing for stock epinephrine in childcare and on airplanes. Our collective voices grow louder, and our accommodation wins more frequent.
Once treatments for all food allergies are available and accessible to all – this is my hope, as well as my dream – we’ll need to remember the mountains moved by our determined community.
As we honor moms everywhere on Mother’s Day, let’s give a round of heartfelt applause to all the great food allergy moms. Thank you, for everything.
Cue music: What A Wonderful World by Sarah Kroger
Contributor Caroline Moassessi is the vice president of community relations for the non-profit FAACT. Discover their educational resources here.
Related Reading:
Gina Clowes: Finding the Positive Side of Food Allergies
Is A Cure for Food Allergies Getting Close?
Meet 4 Colleges Taking ‘Allergy-Friendly’ Food to the Next Level
