Page 87 - The Ultimate Guidebook for Teens with Food Allergies

That’s Not My Name, by Jazmin
Even with all of the freely available information about allergies these days, some people still don’t seem to understand allergies or take them seriously. I have been made to feel completely different from others in many situations because of my allergies. And, although there have been no big, specific situations that stick out in my head, there are many small things that really add up for me. For years, people called me “the allergic kid” instead of my name. That was difficult because my allergies don’t define me. Are they a part of me? Yes. But I am so much more than “an allergic kid”. People often say: “She’s allergic to everything.” This may not seem like a big deal. But, when they say it in a derogatory way, it feels like a punch in the face. In elementary school, I often ate alone. This in and of itself was a form of bullying. To a child who didn’t understand why she was different, or why she had to be alone, it was difficult. One person once threatened to me with a joking tone: “What would happen if I snuck some milk into your lunch?” And, although I make many allergy jokes, this one crosses the line for me. I think most people with allergies have faced some sort of bullying, teasing or unwanted attention just for being “different.” Perhaps, when allergies are understood a bit more, the stigmas will slowly disappear.
In a Peanut Butter Jam, by Nick
During one summer, at a day camp, the local neighbourhood bully was sent there for the day with his lunch—a peanut butter sandwich. When lunchtime came, he was told he couldn’t eat his sandwich due to the fact that I was there and I had a peanut allergy. In response, he decided to chase me with his sandwich to punish me for ruining his lunch. It was pretty scary running away from him! Luckily a camp counsellor spotted him and banned him from the day camp because of his actions.
You Lack Discipline, by Arianne
In grade three, I was coming to terms with my food allergies. Until then, I hadn’t been allowed to eat lunch in the same room as the other children. Nor was I allowed around them during snack time before recess. But this year was different. I was finally able to sit and eat with my friends. However, other students seemed a little annoyed about not being able to eat what they wanted to.
One day, during lunch, a student brought a PB&J sandwich and, instead of me having to leave the room, they were escorted to another room to eat lunch. I guess they didn’t appreciate the inconvenience because, over the next few days, she and her friends proceeded to taunt me and accuse me of faking my food allergies for attention. One day they brought it to the next level and hunted me down on the playground. Armed with a knife covered in peanut butter, they proceeded to hold me down and attempted to smear it on my face and mouth. Luckily a friend of mine saw these events and ran for a teacher.
The students were let off with a mere warning about the seriousness of food allergies and were sent home for the day. Our teacher made a small announcement about respecting food allergies.