It's on the news, and it's in the paper often. Here's the debate- One kid- dangerously allergic to peanuts, other parents upset about the how 'a peanut free school' might affect their healthy kids.
The healthy kids- They like peanuts, and their parents hate the idea of banning them at school. OR, the parents hate the idea of requiring kids to wash their hands. There are no health related reactions that these children may experience in result of a peanut free campus. Could someone argue emotional results? Possibly. If your child would be traumatically affected, or become emotionally distressed because he/she can not eat peanuts at school- there is something else seriously wrong. Is it a pain? Maybe. If you slap some PB&J on a piece of white bread to throw in your child's lunch bag everyday, and you are upset about having to come up with something new, fine. I am sure the 5 year old with a deadly allergy didn't mean to 'upset your flow.' His/her parent could possibly spend hours, and 3 times as much money trying to create some sort of safe meal to pack in their lunch box. As much as I try to see every situation from both sides- let's be honest, you and your child will not suffer any physical or emotional damage because peanuts have been restricted from your child's school. I understand that you have no sympathy for the child who can never eat peanuts in her life, or the young'n who was rushed to the hospital, unable to breathe because her airways closed due to a peanut contamination. Ironically, I bet that child has more blind compassion for you then you'd imagine, while you continue to judge him/her. Please, try to put yourself in their shoes. Do you think that this child, or their parents, signed up for allergies? No, and thankfully, you or your children don't suffer from them as well.
As for the parents of allergic children- Yes, my son is home-schooled. He should have the right to a public education, but unfortunately, no school can accommodate him. I am a 24 year old, 100% single mother, with one income, no public assistance and I make it my job to home school him. I am not speaking from a lazy, inconsiderate, or needy point of view. I believe in taking necessary action to protect our children. For my child, homeschooling is necessary. For a child with an allergy to only peanuts, I would like to hope that public school is an option. If YOUR child was diagnosed with a disabling condition tomorrow that resulted in home-school as the only option; your choices would be to pay $18,000 a year for at home child care, or to quit your job to stay home with the child. I believe with personal experience, your strong and opposing opinions might change. My son has more than 40 food allergies, trust me I understand. I would hate for anyone to have to 'go out of their way' to have to accommodate him, or any other child with food allergies. But really, does keeping peanuts out of your lunch box mean going out of your way? Is being lazy, inconsiderate, or insensitive worth risking some one's life? You seem to be spending more energy picketing against it than you would be packing a peanut-free lunch. I've never heard anyone complain that the 'handicap gets the close spot,' or 'the ramp gets in my way.' Accommodating a disability affects you in such a small way, it's ludicrous to think of picketing, and protesting against a small child's disability and their rights to education.
Most adults can fondly speak of their memories as a child. We all remember our favorite teachers, and best friends growing up. 44% of your awake time as a child is spent with your classmates and teachers. Most can say it was their school experiences that molded and shaped them into the adult they are today. I know I can.
Children, by nature, are compassionate, selfless, and nurturing. When a child is hurt, their friends always offer hugs. When a child is crying, others are sympathetic, and share a moment of sadness. If you or your son/daughter would rather restrict an allergic child to a solitary education, with no friends, no licensed teachers to help educate, and no socialization; I recommend you take a moment to self reflect on your level of compassion and selfishness.
So you are expecting the majority of students to cater to the 1 or maybe 2 students "suffering" from peanut allergies??? Not only is that extremely selfish of the parent in the minority, but also neglecting the majority children the nutrition that peanuts/peanut butter provide! Your statement "child who can never eat peanuts in her life" is completely false. Research has been done showing that children "suffering" from peanut allergies can and will develope a tolerance! (Dukehealth.org)READ IT!!!!
ReplyDelete"Do you think that this child, or their parents, signed up for allergies?" Its life and everyone has challenges in life that they must overcome or live with! A moral person, respects other people and doesnt make the majority suffer for their condition... But UNFORTUNATELY in our society people with the allergies enjoy the attention and the "hey look at me, everyone else must cater to me" attitude!
Hey, Anonymous above ^^^^ STFU! You are the exact type of idiot that makes this world hard for children with allergies to live in. Just the fact that you feel so strongly about a PBJ not being served for lunch is enough to tell me what kind of jerk you are and how you don't like being told what to do! You are like those a-holes on the freeway that speed up when you have your blinker on because they don't want anybody going in front of them... never mind the hundreds of cars ahead! JERK! The only way ignorant people like you will ever understand is if you have to deal with it first hand! Get a life, bully! Not every child has "challenges" that can KILL them! DUH! You can't compare food allergies to any other challenge you dimwit! And before you go preaching, A MORAL PERSON IS COMPASSIONATE AND UNDERSTANDING! I can tell right now that YOU LACK morals. For some children, just putting them in the same room with their allergen can put them into anaphylactic shock. That would be the same as me telling you, "ok... I'm putting a handgun in the room with your kid... they don't know it's there, though, and other kids don't know how deadly it can be... but good luck!" All over one simple sandwich... Dummy.
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