Community Magazine February 2019

like an outcast especially if the subject of allergies is taboo for their teachers, peers, and extended family. Spreading awareness about food, environmental, and animal allergies is the best way to combat ignorance, judgment, and carelessness. The fact is that it is not a rare thing anymore; tons of people live with allergies. Those who don’t have allergies or know of someone who deals with them can be very removed and insensitive. Paulette has seen much progress in the work she’s done. She’s become the go-to person in the community for advice and guidance on food allergies. Some people call her their coach or consultant, but she feels most successful when a parent reaches out to her and tells her that their lives are better because of her help. “When I make a difference in someone’s life like that - I know I’m successful because that’s my goal,” says Paulette. “My other goals are to make changes in the community schools, restaurants, and bakeries, to make them more allergy-friendly.” Paulette is involved with Sephardic Bikur Holim’s food allergy division. She speaks to schools and comes up with proposals on how they can improve in this area. Paulette has also started a game-changing WhatsApp group in which parents can support each other, vent, and ask questions. In the future, Paulette hopes to catch the issue at its source. Her dream is to work in an allergist’s office. This would be ideal so that patients who are diagnosed with multiple allergies can see her directly after seeing the doctor. This way, before confusion even begins to set in, she is there to help them through it. In hopes to help as many people as possible, here are Paulette’s top tips on what to do once first diagnosed with multiple allergies. GET ORGANIZED 1. To get started, educate yourself on the specific allergy item so you can know how to identify it on a label. Next, do a clean sweep of your pantry items. Read labels very carefully so you can determine what is safe and what is not. 2. Research recipes that are safe and that you feel your child might enjoy. 3. Always have allergy-safe snacks with you, so if hunger arises you’re prepared. 4. Create an emergency plan. Educate anyone who would be responsible for your child at any given time. 5. Always carry an EpiPen and Benadryl. These should be with your child at all times - no matter where they go. COMMUNICATE 1. This is imperative to your success in many ways. It is the key, and it can make or break your progress. Communicate positively to your child with allergies. 2. When you want to approach a school, a camp, or even a class mother, your approach is just as important as your message. Think before you speak, and make what you say impactful. 3. When you give over allergy information to anyone in your child’s life you feel needs to know, be very detailed. If they are allergic to nuts, can they eat foods made in a facility that handles nuts or not? In case, Gd forbid, something does happen, let them know what that reaction going to look like, what they should keep an eye out for. And finally, what plan is in place to counteract the reaction. 4. Support can also make or break your success. Reach out and connect. The value is immeasurable. Speak to parents going through the same thing, reach out to Sephardic Bikur Holim, or contact Paulette – as she is willing to help! FINDING THE RIGHT DOCTOR FOR YOU 1. This might take time, trial, and error. The key really is to find a doctor whom you are not intimidated by to ask questions. You need to be comfortable asking as many questions as it takes. 2. It is also imperative that you are able to reach them easily. The main takeaway from this is that, yes, allergies can be a difficult and confusing diagnosis, but there is help out there, and you can master and overcome the challenge. SHEVAT - ADAR I 5779 FEBRUARY 2019 47