Lisa Hofmeister’s family had no history of food allergies. She was vaguely aware of concerns about kids and nuts, but never gave a thought to things like birthday party food.
A couple of years ago, Blake — then 3 1/2 — ate a peanut butter M&M. Two hours later, he was covered from head to toe in hives.
His Landmark Preschool teachers reacted calmly, quickly and professionally. EMTs used an EpiPen to control the reaction.
Since then, Lisa worries constantly about brownies and cupcakes. She reads the labels of every food item she buys.
Blake — who is allergic to peanuts, pistachios and cashews — is handling things well. On Halloween, the 5-year-old asks everyone handing out candy if it contains any of those nuts.
Landmark is 100% nut-free. Kings Highway Elementary — Blake’s new school — has a nut-free cafeteria table.
Lisa is realistic. “Parents worry that their kid will get hit crossing the street,” she says. “This is just one more worry.”
She also knows that actions speak louder than words. So she’s gotten involved in Food Allergy Research & Education, an educational, research and advocacy organization.
On Saturday, September 24 (1 to 4 p.m.), FARE sponsors a fundraising, awareness and community-building program at Sherwood Island State Park. Besides a half-mile walk, there will be face painting, relay races, carnival games, arts and crafts, a magician and live reggae music.
Participants run at FARE’s 2015 walk.
This is FARE’s only Connecticut event. Because it’s in our back yard — and free — Lisa hopes many Westporters will participate.
As a woman who never cared about food allergies until they struck home, Lisa knows that raising awareness is key.
It’s also hard.
“It’s scary that doctors don’t know what causes this, or why it’s increasing so rapidly,” Lisa says.
“It’s also too bad that this doesn’t have a scarier name. ‘Food allergy’ is fluffy. Maybe if it was called something different, more people would be more aware.”
(For more information — or to register for the September 24 event, or volunteer — click here.)
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