Food Allergies/ Allergies
Hello everyone I'm Plum, And I wanted to talk about food allergies. I don't know if food allergies count as a disability but I wanted to make a thread about it.
I have multiple food allergies to Diary, Eggs, a severe allergy to Peanuts and Tree nuts, and also Coconut, Peas, Shellfish
And than I have just regular allergies to Trees, Pollen, Dogs and Cats, And grass.
Living with these Allergies are a pain. People think you're faking it or they forget that you have it. When I was really little I felt outcasted because of my allergies everyone looked at me weird during snack time in elementary school wondering why I was just eating Graham crackers instead of cookies like the others. I couldn't have birthday treats that others brought in but my mom brought in my own snacks during birthday parties and she still does on the occians of me being invited to one. I also had to sit at a peanut free table for two days in elementary school because of my peanut allergies and they wouldn't let any of My friends sit by me but on the second day I just went back to sit with my friends some teachers tried to get me to sit at those tables and I just always shook my head no at them.
Its tough to live with allergies to food and other stuff. Grass makes me itch and so does trees, Pollens keeps making me sneeze and I'm limited on food idems to eat. And once a year I have to go into testing but they gave up on seeing if I outgrew food allergies so all they do is look through paperwork, Test my asthma levels and make sure I could carry my Epi-pen and Inhaler to school and that's it. Its hard living with food allergies and allergies but my friends support me though and make sure I'm safe and I'm thankful for them. And if you have food allergies or allergies choose supportive friends who will understand you and don't let your food allergies and allergies don't let that stop you from having fun just stay careful. :)
@limegreenPlum9327
Actually - depending on where you live on the planet - Food Allergies (or at least some) are classified as disabilities.
Food allergies are highly misunderstood by the general public - and in some cases the medical community. So many studies are now conveying that food allergies are auto-immune disorders but the legislation isn't necessarily keeping up with protection other than "safe school" practices - but even that is from school to school.
Learn what Food Allergy/Auto-Immune is if you need/want to know or want to arm yourself with info for better advocating:
http://www.merckmanuals.com/home/immune-disorders/allergic-reactions-and-other-hypersensitivity-disorders/food-allergy
Food allergies are being tracked to more and more illnesses -
An Australian report on food allergies and chronic pain>>
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-05-15/food-allergies-may-be-to-blame-for-child-illness-researchers-say/8527708
Three illnesses connected to the food-related allergies>>
https://www.foodallergy.org/life-food-allergies/food-allergy-101/related-medical-conditions
Prevention article on inflammation, chronic pain and depression possible ties>>
https://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/are-hidden-food-allergies-making-you-miserable
Advocating and awareness on your part is the key to you staying safe. Informing friends, family, and co-workers - would seem easy but from my experience isn't - to what this means for you is the next step. Food allergies do impact your life beyond what you eat. It can impact your socializing as well as your self-esteem. The related symptoms can be crippling - like brain fog, GI distress, body pain, chronic inflammation and migraines.
I struggle with food allergy/auto-immune daily. It wears on you - not just jeopardizing your long term health - but mentally and emotionally.
It can be so lonely coping with food allergy/auto-immune -- especially when people don't value you enough to believe this is real.
I wish there was a bigger community here coping with this... 
~DC
