Learning to own my allergy anxieties stopped them from owning me

Allergy anxiety is something I still struggle with, and this has proved a challenge for me at university with moving away, living with strangers and ultimately leaving the comfort zone of my home. However, I truly believe that this change has also been the making of me, as a person with allergies.

Tanya Laperouse7 April 2024Learning to own my allergy anxieties stopped them from owning me, real allergy stories, my allergy journey, my food allergy diagnosis, food allergy, food allergies, anaphylaxis, starting university with food allergiesComment

Join us this ALLERGY AWARENESS WEEK!

During this Allergy Awareness Week, we will share real-life stories from our community on why 'It shouldn't be this hard...' to live with food allergies.

Tanya Laperouse21 April 2023allergy awareness week, allergyawarenessweek, Natasha's Foundation allergy, natasha foundation allergy, natasha allergy, raising awareness around food allergies, food allergies, food allergy, make allergy history, charity allergy ukComment

“…I Found Myself in a Very Cold and Lonely Place” - One Mother’s Experience

The loneliness and isolation felt from being an allergy parent are all-consuming.

Tanya Laperouse4 October 2022loneliness and allergies, lonely and food allergy, motherhood and food allergies, allergic, food allergies, food allergyComment

Can't Pinpoint Your Food Allergies? It Could be a Histamine Intolerance!

Is there something you suspect you're allergic to but can't put your finger on? It could be Histamine Intolerance.

Tanya Laperouse13 September 2022Can't Pinpoint Your Food Allergies? It Could be a Histamine Intolerance!, histamine, histamine and allergies, what are histamines, Natasha's foundation and histamine intolerance, elimination diet and food allergies, allergic to something, food allergy, food allergies, I am allergicComment

Administering an Adrenaline Auto-Injector (AAI) for the First Time

She seemed so tiny and precious, I didn’t want to hurt her with this ‘scary pen’, but something takes over you in that moment and you do what you have to do.

All Blog Posts, Your Allergy StoriesTanya Laperouse27 July 2022the allergy badge, food allergy, food allergies, Natasha's law, Natasha ednan laperouse, peanut allergy, Natasha's foundation, anaphylaxis, narfComment

The Heavy Burden of Responsibility on Young Shoulders

Knowing it didn’t belong to her, she politely refused explaining it wasn’t hers but unfortunately her teacher became angry and insisted. “I only let it touch my lips mummy, I just pretended I was drinking.” she told me later that night after we had returned home from A&E.

All Blog Posts, Tanya's BlogsTanya Laperouse9 June 2022food allergies and children, food allergy, kids food allergy, natasha ednan-laperouse, tanya ednan-laperouse blogsComment

There is NO Room for 'Oversights' when it Comes to Food Allergies

George has moved nurseries and schools in search of somewhere "safe" and we are hoping that we have found that place now. Emphasis on the word “HOPE”. We even visited a school that claimed that they "couldn't guarantee that mistakes won't happen because 7 years is a long time in school".

Your Allergy StoriesTanya Laperouse27 May 2022food allergies, food allergies and nursery, allergies and education, food allergy, no mistakes when it comes to food allergiesComment

We Couldn't Find Childcare that Could Keep my Allergic Daughter Safe

Of the seven private nursery schools in my hometown, only one manager got back in touch with me. Because of how far-ranging Eilonwy's allergies are, they said “We can’t guarantee her safety”. Because of her contact allergies, every child and staff member at the nursery would need to adjust the products they use,

Words From a Grandma’s Heart

When a child is diagnosed with a food allergy, everyone around them has to learn how to keep them safe, and quickly. For grandparents, not only do they need to learn how to care for their grandchild in a new way, they also need to support the child’s parents through the anxiety and life-changes that food allergies bring.

Your Allergy StoriesGuest User21 February 2022grandmother, grandparent, food allergy, grandchild, grandson, mirabelComment

Is 'Vegan' Food Safe for People with Food Allergies?

If you have life threatening allergies to foods like milk, eggs or fish etc, the rise in veganism should be a good thing. The increase in vegan options should make things easier, or at least you’d think so.However, it would seem that choosing vegan is anything but safe for those with food allergies.

Your Allergy StoriesGuest User13 January 2022vegan, vegan labelling, dairy free, milk allergy, dairy allergy, egg allergy, meat allergy, chicken allergy, beef allergy, pork allergy, milk protein allergy, vegan menu, food allergyComment

Twenty-First Birthday Thoughts

I’m sitting at Natasha’s desk in her bedroom, it’s where I like to work surrounded by all her things. Today, the 16th December is her birthday and had she lived, she would be twenty-one years old. Five whole years have passed, an eternity since I last held her in my arms, hugging her too quickly at the airport - how I wish I had held on for just a little longer.

Tanya's BlogsGuest User15 December 2021food allergy, natasha ednan-laperouse, tanya ednan-laperouse blogs, natasha's birthday, natasha's 21st birthday, natasha ednan-laperouse birthday fundraiser Comments

Dear Teacher...A Food Allergy Christmas Poem

The best treat this Christmas for me though you see, would be for my classroom to be food free. No crumb on the table that could feel like burning on my skin, or particles in the air that I mustn't breathe in.

ResourcesGuest User29 November 2021food allergy, food allergies in schools, dear teacher poem, inclusivity Comment

First Anaphylactic Reaction At 3 Years Old - Kuldip's Story

The day had started in a whirlwind of excitement. It ended at the hospital, with me sleeping on a chair beside my daughter.

Your Allergy StoriesGuest User28 October 2021nut allergy, food allergy, natasha allergy research foundation, natashas foundation, kuldip's story, anaphylaxis Comments