Michiana Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Support

» Allergic Reaction Over Atlantic from Undisclosed Cashew Oil in Salad!No Nut Traveler From Lianne No Nut Traveler- This is a particularly important testimonial because it illustrates that even when passengers disclose their allergies, reconfirm ingredients with the crew, and receive assurances based on the airline’s allergen information, those assurances can still be incorrect if c...

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And God looked upon a world filled with birthday parties, classroom celebrations, restaurants, vacations, holidays, sleepovers, and ordinary moments that food allergies had suddenly made anything but ordinary. And He said, "I need someone."

I need somebody who'll hear a diagnosis that changes everything... and still believe her child's life can be beautiful. Somebody who'll cry all the way home... then wipe away every tear before she opens the front door because a little face is waiting inside.

So God made an allergy mom.

And He said, "I need somebody who'll spend forty-five minutes in the grocery store looking for one safe box of crackers. Somebody who'll read every label... then read it again. Somebody who'll notice the words 'New Recipe' before anyone else ever would, put it back on the shelf, and start all over."

So God made an allergy mom.

And He said, "I need somebody who knows that buying the same brand doesn't mean buying the same food. Somebody who'll read the label today... and tomorrow... and next month... because she knows ingredients change without warning, and one overlooked word can change everything."

So God made an allergy mom.

And He said, "I need somebody who'll pack the safe cupcake before the birthday party, the safe bun before the cookout, the safe snacks before the road trip, and enough food for the vacation because she's learned that hoping for the best is never a plan."

So God made an allergy mom.

And He said, "I need somebody who'll make Plan A... and Plan B... and Plan C. Somebody who'll know where the nearest emergency room is before she knows where the nearest ice cream shop is. Somebody who'll spend weeks planning a vacation so her child can spend one carefree week simply being a kid."

So God made an allergy mom.

And He said, "I need somebody willing to ask one more question after everyone else is uncomfortable. Somebody who'll call ahead. Email the chef. Ask about the fryer. Ask about the cutting board. Ask about the bread. Somebody who'll gladly be the difficult customer if it means bringing her child safely home."

So God made an allergy mom.

And He said, "I need somebody who'll smile while dinner is served... but never really stop watching. Somebody who'll pretend she's part of the conversation while her eyes quietly return to her child after every unfamiliar bite. Waiting. Listening. Praying that every swallow is just another swallow."

So God made an allergy mom.

And He said, "I need somebody who'll celebrate victories no one else even notices. The first restaurant meal. The first school field trip. The first sleepover. The first flight. The first time her child orders safely without looking back for reassurance."

So God made an allergy mom.

And He said, "I need somebody willing to answer, 'Why can't I eat that?' a thousand different times... while still searching for an answer to the question she asks herself when no one else is listening: 'Why my child?'"

So God made an allergy mom.

And He said, "I need somebody willing to grieve the childhood she imagined... then spend the rest of her life making sure her child never grieves it too."

So God made an allergy mom.

And years later...

That little child won't remember the hours she spent standing in grocery aisles.

They won't remember the labels she read over and over.

They won't remember the phone calls, the emails, the research, or the backup plans for the backup plans.

They won't remember how she stared across the restaurant table after every unfamiliar bite, silently counting the minutes until she could finally breathe again.

They won't remember the nights she lay awake replaying every decision she'd made that day.

They'll simply remember birthday parties.

Vacations.

School lunches.

Restaurants.

Friends.

Adventures.

A childhood that somehow felt... normal.

Because without ever saying the words...

She carried the worry...

so they could carry the wonder.

Because God made an allergy mom.

A 16-year-old boy is dead after allegedly being assured an airline sandwich was safe to eat. By now, you may have already seen the headlines.
Please don't stop there.
At Allergic Living Gwen Smith and I have spent years investigating the hidden gaps that put passengers with food allergies at risk. This tragedy is not an isolated event. It reflects the very failures we've been warning about for years: incomplete allergen information for airline meals, false reassurance when ingredient information isn't truly available, and unanswered questions about emergency preparedness in the air.
Our reporting goes beyond the lawsuit. We connect the dots with years of investigations, previous cases, and the regulatory loopholes that continue to leave passengers vulnerable. We also spoke with family's attorney
If you care about food allergy safety, please read our piece and share it widely. The next life may depend on people understanding these risks before they board a plane. https://www.allergicliving.com/2026/07/18/teen-died-of-allergic-reaction-to-airlines-sandwich-family-sues/

Many know Tyler Florence as a celebrated chef, restaurateur, and television host. What some may not know is that he also lived with multiple food allergies as a child, an experience that shaped his relationship with food from an early age.

“Food is one of the most powerful ways we connect with one another, and everyone deserves the opportunity to participate safely and confidently,” said Chef Florence. “I’m honored to work alongside FARE and support its mission to transform the lives of people managing food allergies every day.”

As part of this collaboration, Chef Florence will be recognized at FARE’s Gala on October 21 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. During the event, he will deliver remarks centered on the theme, “Creating a Table for All: The Time is Now,” sharing his perspective on the importance of ensuring that people managing food allergy can fully participate in the shared experience of food.

Chef Florence is also serving on FARE’s Board of Directors, further strengthening his commitment to advancing awareness, understanding and support for the food allergy community.

We're grateful for his partnership and look forward to working together to elevate the voices and experiences of the food allergy community.

https://www.foodallergy.org/media-room/fare-and-chef-tyler-florence-unite-around-shared-commitment-food-allergy-community

Prayers to his family.

Trigger warning: Sadly, we report on the passing of Liam Gartland, 8, who has died of anaphylaxis to a Dairy Queen frozen bar. The Ontario boy was apparently handed a dairy treat in error, rather than the vegan (dairy-free, egg-free) treat his mom ordered.

His mom says he began reacting almost right away. Say a prayer for sweet Liam as you read his story here: https://www.allergicliving.com/2026/06/01/boy-8-dies-of-severe-allergic-reaction-to-frozen-dairy-treat/

Note: Appreciate if everyone will be respectful in their comments. The mom and dad have just lost this little boy. Reminders about food allergy protocols are fine but please, let's not sit in judgment.

Cross-Contact Suspected After Teen’s Fatal Ice Cream Reaction - SnackSafely.com Italian authorities are investigating whether cross-contact caused a 16-year-old’s fatal allergic reaction after eating dairy-free gelato.

I always thought anaphylaxis would be obvious.
That it would look dramatic and immediate every single time.

But the reality is that everyone reacts differently and each reaction can show differently.

Sometimes it’s quiet.
Sometimes it starts with tiredness, anxiety, tummy pain, throat discomfort or just “not seeming right.”

That’s what makes anaphylaxis so scary, the signs can be easy to miss, especially in children.

The more we talk about the less obvious symptoms, the more lives we can help protect ❤️

Trust your instincts.
If something feels wrong after exposure to an allergen, act fast and seek emergency medical help.

Please share in the comments any other signs to look out for and if you have experienced any of these.

📚 Sources: Mayo Clinic, Cleveland Clinic & MedlinePlus

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional, I’m simply sharing my experiences and what I’m learning while navigating life with food allergies. Always consult your doctor or allergy specialist for medical advice.