**Extreme Allergies**

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Extreme Allergies

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I’m an “extreme allergies” parent,
Yes right that’s me.
No, I probably won’t be bringing my children round for tea.
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I know you don’t all “get it”,
I don’t expect you too,
Would a little more respect for our life’s trials be too much to ask of you?
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We can’t visit your houses,
Go to church or a party.
Because allergens lurk everywhere,
Though for most people they’re harmless.
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Now it might be something unseen
like a perfume or particle
from left over food
or a drink that you just started.
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Secondary contact
might be something new to you
But when your child’s life is in your hands
You’d learn about it too.
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It could be a balloon
joyful for most,
But not for a child
who’s lungs start to close.
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“Allergic Disease”
may mean little to you,
But it’s a disease, not a virus,
Let me explain it to you.
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Your immune systems’ fickle
it changes a lot,
Virus’s can give it exercise,
Diseases do not!
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Allergies are an understated
kind of disease,
A war inside your body,
Russian roulette with your food.
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I know we have it extreme.
You may have one or three,
And not see the world
like your battling a disease.
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With a child with over forty,
over 20 guaranteed
to cause anaphylactic grade reactions
From a runny nose to a wheeze.
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Hives and itching
to swelling extreme.
Each reaction can independently
cause any extreme.
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Epinephrine and antihistamines,
They can help this is true.
But don’t always work
like you want them too.
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(An online search can show you
Oakley Debbs who had a “mild” allergy
Died age 11, thanksgiving 2016)
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Whether they’re for nuts or citrus,
Latex or pollen,
airborne or contact,
The risks are still stupendous.
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So no I won’t risk my sons life
because you think
we need to get out.
We won’t rock up at your house unannounced.
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If you want to see us,
come visit us please,
Leave your fragrance at home.
Wash your hands nice and clean.
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If you want us to visit,
We’d really love to!
Though it will be more work
than most would expect of you.
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Food, teddies and pets
can’t be hanging around.
Toy’s can be risky.
How about a known play ground?
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So this is our life.
Our children are safe.
It’s uncommon at best.
Though it’s on the rise of late.
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So when you see a parent,
You think is “extreme”,
Whether it’s seeds, nuts, grains, fruit or something unseen.
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What would you do?
If your child’s life were at risk?
Would you want some support, or to be judged and critiqued?
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It’s not an easy road,
this path that we’re on.
I’m grateful to have found many people online,
who get what’s going on.
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In online groups,
From all over the world,
Parents meet together
to share what they know.
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The almost mythical
hope of remission lingers unseen.
We live each day as though it will always be the same.
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We will hope,
We will pray,
That one day,
This battle might end in a positive way.
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A day with a child,
who knows no limitations.
The true freedom of food and environment so many take for granted.
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This isn’t a fad,
Or an over protective parent.
It’s our life,
It’s our battle.
We’re praising God we’re still standing.
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Living, learning, sharing. We go on.
Hoping our journey will help another along.
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We all have our battles.
We all have our dreams.
Our life isn’t easy,
It’s not meant to be.
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God gives us our battles,
He stands by our side,
He guides us and strengthens us,
He heals in His time.
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I may not know His plan or His will,
But I know by His grace,
This is a battle we will win.

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By TED mum aka E.P. White December 2016