Celebrating Diaversaries: A Journey of Resilience and Reflection (Episode 5)
Ever heard of a “diaversary”?
In this episode of the “Perspectives from a Pomegranate” podcast, host Lisa Brooks reflects on her son's upcoming diaversary, a term that refers to the anniversary of being diagnosed with diabetes.
From Hives to Hope: Getting to “Bite Proof” - Food Allergy Awareness Week (Episode 3)
Did you know that 1 in 10 adults and 1 in 13 children have food allergies?
In honor of Food Allergy Awareness Week, host Lisa Brooks takes us on an eye-opening journey of living with food allergies. As a mother of a child with multiple severe allergies, she recounts heart-stopping moments when her son experienced allergic reactions and the painstaking efforts she undertook to create a safe environment.
The Power of Asking: How I Became the Donations Queen (Episode 2)
Are you afraid of asking for things or requesting help?
In this episode of the “Perspectives from a Pomegranate” podcast, host Lisa Brooks shares her early experiences of asking for donations. From calling local pizza places to convincing one of the Steves from Apple to donate a computer for a high school raffle, her success in taking the plunge and making the ask helped her overcome the fear of speaking up and asking for things needed (and wanted!).
Navigating Halloween With Food Allergies and Type 1 Diabetes
Halloween — Most of the day revolves around food… and costumes. While a lot of parents are simply enjoying the day, parents of kids who have food allergies or Type 1 diabetes (or both) have more to think about than a costume.
Food Allergies Sometimes End in Tragedy
In the past week alone, I’ve seen three stories about food allergies causing a life-threatening reaction. Three. And those are just the ones I’ve picked up on via social media. Two of those stories had happy endings, and sadly, one did not. Clearly I’m not privy to the details of each situation, but based on what has been shared publicly, here are my observations.
Epinephrine Injectors Don't Always Work
Epinephrine injectors don’t always work. Yes, that’s what I said. Let it sink in. Epinephrine injectors don’t always work. This blog post was inspired by a post from a mom, Misty Gardner, in a food allergy support group. Her son just had a severe reaction during an accidental exposure to dairy and wound up in the Intensive Care Unit. Fortunately he is okay, but I was so moved by her experience and desire to educate others that I reached out to ask if I could share her story more broadly.
Misconceptions About Food Allergies
Food Allergy Awareness Week is May 13-19, 2018. In honor of that, I thought I’d do a few educational posts. Following are the most common misunderstandings I encounter about food allergies.
GUEST BLOG Inclusion: Kids with Food Allergies Can Do Anything (They just can’t eat everything!)
Camp Blue Spruce came about as so many good things do – a mom wanted her son to have the experience of an overnight camp, but she wasn’t confident that a kid with seven life-threatening food allergies would be safe at a “regular” camp. I was that mom, and when I realized there were no camps that could provide a safe environment for him, I founded Camp Blue Spruce, a worry-free camp for kids with food allergies!
The Happiest Person To Get A Vaccine
Yesterday I cut my finger on a hummingbird feeder someone gave me. And of course, the edge of the metal was rusty. Hmmm…when did I have my last tetanus shot?