Food allergy law “absurd”? Comments

I am stunned. Wow. I agree with your statement that if you do not understand the need for a law like this one to go into effect, then do some research. Isn’t this what educators are supposed to be teaching our children? I hope that they have parents in their school district that will educate them on why this law is desperately needed.

Also, I have two words for people like this…Joel Stein.
Christina Stephens December 29th, 2010 at 9:33 am

To say I am appalled is an understatement!!! What is it going to take for these people to “GET IT”?

It would be a tragedy that a child suffer or die at the hands of these irresponsible and selfish people!!!
Julie Price December 29th, 2010 at 9:48 am

Oh, that makes me sad! And I was thinking the same thing as Christina: Joel Stein ate his words. Maybe one day one of those board member’s children will develop food allergies (or maybe they themselves will!), and then they’ll know exactly what it’s like!!! Geez! Is that what it takes to have some compassion toward children with a life-threatening health condition?!?
Lindsay December 29th, 2010 at 10:10 am

These people just don’t get it. They need to understand that the foods that these children are allergic to are poison to them. Would the board members be happy to have common poisons within reach of their children?
Ellen December 29th, 2010 at 7:10 pm

This is why my daughter is going to home school
Teresa December 30th, 2010 at 6:14 am

I am with all of you on this one. Come on administrators!!!! As a teacher, I would be HAPPY to work on the allergy plan for my school FREE of my time especially. AND, I know several of my colleagues would be happy to help because they a.) have food allergic children themselves or b.) know and understand food allergies. Sadly, all schools think about is money when every child is priceless.
Deanna December 30th, 2010 at 7:37 am

Their ignorance and their blatant disregard for the safety of the children in their district is terrifying, and is a sad commentary on the “dumbness” of some people who are making important decisions for us…hopefully these school board members will be ousted next election day.
dianne December 30th, 2010 at 7:53 am

So sad…. I can only hope everyone remembers these callous comments at election time.
Angela December 30th, 2010 at 7:59 am

Your article is a sad reminder of how people we expect to be the most educated, and informed are actually some of the most uniformed, closed-minded, and uneducated people when it comes to children with food allergies. Not only do our children have the right to an education, they have they right to being a “safe environment” while being in school.

When my daughter started Kindergarten there were no guidelines in place within her elementary school for the management of food allergies. Now, that she is in the 5th grade, I perceive the principal, the nurses, and the majority of the teachers to be extremely knowledgeable with the management of food allergies. They “get it”, and are more than willing to do what needs to be done to prevent a food allergy reaction.

The irresponsible and downright ridiculous comments by elected school board officials in Gurnee is a reality. Yet, on the flipside, I’d like to applaud all the school districts that “get it” and provide a safe learning environment children with food allergies.

Kelly, I appreciate all the knowledge you share.
Eydie Kugler December 30th, 2010 at 9:12 am

I wish I could say I’m stunned but we encountered such similar opposition to wanting a policy that we elected to send our child to private school, she wasn’t safe in a public school with an administration that had the attitude you reference.

You hit the nail right on the head when you said irresponsible. What I don’t get is why are they complaining so much? What’s the big deal. They don’t need to spend money in their budget, don’t need special ed teachers, it’s barely an inconvenience. It’s a freaking written document to protect the children (and protects the school from liability), you need teachers trained on recognizing anapylaxis and how to administer epipen (5 minutes, really!) and teachers just need to have access to an epipen in the event of an emergency.

Does anyone understand why we FA parents keep getting such pushback? We’re not asking for a lot on their part at all!
Poker Chick December 30th, 2010 at 9:30 am

Something I have noticed about some educators especially those in administration is supreme arrogance. They think they are the “educated” ones and everyone else has nothing to offer. A good part of it may be lack of education about food allergies, but I also truly believe it comes down to what kind of person they are. The truth is, even when armed with facts, some people are just uncompassionate, selfish, and unwilling to do anything that inconveniences them in any way because they view it as impinging on their liberties. We have most definately found out who in our lives truly cares about our child through this journey with life threatening FA. With laser beam intensity. That was one of the real eye openers for me though, that people who choose to work with children sometimes REALLY don’t have their best interests at heart. There’s really no shaming them.
Kim December 30th, 2010 at 10:41 am

this makes me sick!!! my son is four and will be going to school next year and im so scared!! people are ignorant and its time someone does something about this!! i its selfish how stupid people are these are kids that can die from this!! it should be a law that the school should be prepared for this!!!!!!!
jess December 30th, 2010 at 10:52 am

Did they even read the law? Unbelievable!
Alison December 30th, 2010 at 11:18 am

It’s always “absurd” until it’s your life or your child’s.
Tricia December 30th, 2010 at 3:09 pm

I am equally appalled at these comments and sympathize with your frustration. Good for Illinois for implementing the state mandate.
Lisa Case December 30th, 2010 at 3:17 pm

Maybe you should post the Gurnee school board’s address or email so we can send them a piece of our mind!
Janina December 30th, 2010 at 4:25 pm

I am already nervous about sending my daughter to kindergarten next year with her allergies to egg and milk. Now I’m even more worried since she will be going to Gurnee schools!!!! Thank you so much for posting this. At least now I know what I am up against.