As May is Food Allergy Awareness Month there are lots of things going on to celebrate it and bring more awareness to this disease. One of the bigger events is happening this weekend. Anaphylaxis Canada will be hosting it’s 7th Annual Community Conference at the Delta Hotel in Markham, Ontario. I am so exited to be attending this year! The sessions sound really interesting and the line up of speakers is fantastic!
I first attended this conference last year and found myself overwhelmed with the information provided and the emotions that were induced. I anticipated coming home with a notebook full of facts and a game plan to change the world’s view of food allergies. I had a list of questions I wanted to fire off to each of the speakers. I thought I would have a list of new contacts a mile long. None of that happened. As those who know me personally will tell you, I am an emotional person. It’s not intentional on my part, it just happens. At last year’s conference I could barely utter a sentence without getting a lump in my throat. Talking about the dangers of food allergies and your child will do that to you. Fortunately there were many brave parents who got my questions answered for me. 🙂
The session I am most anticipating is called “Partnering and Planning With Your School” and is an interactive workshop for parents. This is right up my alley. 🙂 I am sure my kid’s school will tell you what a pain I have been since William started last fall. After tomorrow I will have even more ammunition to help in my fight to keep my child, and his classmates, safe.
The line up for the afternoon is equally exciting, in particular the presentation called “When Food Is A Weapon: Food Allergy Bullying.” This session will be hosted by Kyle Dine and members of YAP, the Youth Advisory Panel. The teens who make up YAP all have food allergies. The panel allows them to share their experiences with kids their own age and learn from them as well. Kyle Dine is a Food Allergy Awareness Advocate and children’s entertainer. His shows and songs are incredible! We own his CD “Food Allergies Rock” and love it. Emily, William and I sing along to the catchy songs and I know the message they send is positive and powerful. William was so excited to bring a CD to his classroom as a gift so his friends could hear the wonderful songs as well. 🙂
The day will be jam packed and I am looking forward to it. Stay tuned for a recap next week as I attempt to accomplish all the things I wanted to last year. 🙂 Wish me luck!!
FT&PD
Suz
Suzanne, have a great day tomorrow, Hope you get to take a lot of notes and have a little fun. Enjoy.
Thanks Mom, it was a great day!
What a great event for networking and learning! I hope you got everything out of the conference that you were hoping for.
It was a fabulous day Kate, chock full!
What a great idea to have teens share their experiences with other kids. I hope you enjoyed the day and came away with some valuable ideas! 🙂
Thank you Joann, it was a wonderful day!
Sounds like a really great event, full of information that could potentially save a life. I am glad that organizers put on these kinds of sessions – so important!
Definitely a very worthwhile event to attend..
I think this is fabulous that there is an outlet for more education with food allergies. I’m allergic to something, they just don’t know what. I have epi pens because I get reactions often, but I have never used them. My throat has swollen (hives down my throat) but I have never got so bad where it was anaphylaxis. It’s scary enough as an adult, I couldn’t imagine as a child (or a parent).
The conference is great for everyone to learn a little about a very overlooked issue today. I could not imagine not knowing what you are allergic to though Randa, that must be difficult..