Today was the day!  I have been planning for awhile to speak during a training session for the early childhood volunteers at our church.  I had about 15 minutes to spend.  I was so nervous, I am not even sure if I even used all of my allotted time!  

     But, it is now over, or at least this first step is over.  I do feel like my message was heard.  My hope was to educate these volunteers so that they were more aware of how dangerous food can be for a person with food allergies.  Unfortunately, the number of children with serious food allergies is on the rise.  

     There were only about 15 people there, but 2 of them spoke to me at the end.  As it turns out, these 2 people have first hand connections to someone they are close to who has a severe food allergy!  Statistically, I think that says a lot.  

     For those of you reading who might have been at the meeting, I would like to say thank you for listening.  Please feel to respond to this blog site or send me an email.  I would love to answer any questions you may now have. 

     Halloween is upon us, which is almost unbelievable to me.  I sometimes cannot believe how fast time flies!  Some of you might already be aware of our yearly "Trick or Treat for Food Allergy" fundraiser.  FAAN sends us a box in late September, and it becomes Randy's chance to collect donations for education and research regarding food allergies.

     We appreciate all the help we can get.  I have to mail in the money we raise by November 30th.  Yes, he can earn prizes, but he is unaware of this.  For now, I just want the focus to be on working for a good cause.

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     So, if you would like to help, you could:

     -mail a check to us

     -take the box to work or to people you know (or collect donations and send it to me)

     -we are up for other ideas you might have!

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     Thank you all in advance!

     Cindy Moseley, the leader of FAAST called me yesterday to follow-up about the Friday meeting I attended.  I of course told her how great I thought it was.  I also told her that I felt moved to participate in more advocacy related work.  I told her that I would love to volunteer for FAAST.  She then asked me if I would be willing to help with phone calls.  What that means is that I will now get forwarded to me names of parents who are requesting information about FAAST.  Cindy and I talked about it and we both agreed that I would be more comfortable talking to people who have the baby to preschool age since that is where my experience comes in.  She said she would only need help with about two calls per month!  I am sure I can fit that into my schedule!

     I made my first call last night.  It was to a mother of a son who just found out about her 1-year old's peanut, egg, and milk allergy.  She was actually amazingly calm, unlike how I was when I was in her shoes.  It was very rewarding to answer her questions.  I was a little nervous at first, but once I got going I felt fine.  It almost felt natural for me to be talking about food allergies and all of the life style changes that come along with them.

     I think this will be a great outlet for me.  I have been experiencing a lot of anxiety lately, especially after this weekend's activities.  I can't explain it... it just feels good to talk about food allergies.  I think, too, that talking to others who are in my shoes helps me to realize that I am not alone.  And, sometimes, there are others who have it far worse, therefore our life doesn't appear to be as difficult.

     So, wish me luck!  I hope this works out.

Okay, I know I have shared a lot of information with you.  The problem is that even though I am full of information, there is always something new to learn.  And, learning it first hand at a training class such as the one I recently attended at the Red Cross is priceless, in my opinion.

There are some coming up.  I plan on attending, and I would like to invite all of you to go with me.  I am willing to go to multiple ones if need be.

The dates are:

Saturday September 29th from 9am-12:30

Saturday October 20th, from 9am-12:30

Saturday, November 17th, from 9am-12:30

The first two are at the Red Cross in Blue Ash.  The last one is at the Red Cross Downtown Cincinnati.

Let me know right away if you are interested because registration is required.