The Teal Pumpkin Project means a lot more to me this year than ever before.
Why?
As you all know, we were going through allergy testing with my daughter. She had a reaction to peanut butter and almond butter when she was about 9-10 months old. Her skin test came back negative as well as her blood test. This led us to a food challenge. A food challenge is one of the most nerve wracking things a parent can go through. You sit in a doctor's office for 4-6 hours where they give you the food in question in increasingly amounts over 15 minute intervals. It is basically just watching and monitoring your child for signs of a reaction. We were lucky and blessed that our daughter did not end up having a reaction, meaning she is officially not allergic to peanut butter. That being said, I was the most cautious parent ever. She'd cough and I'd say "are you ok?" She had a red spot on her chest from rubbing against a table, and I started freaking out. She apparently had an eczema break out on her elbow prior to the food challenge, and I had a freak out thinking the peanut butter caused it. Overall, it was a pretty stressful experience for me, and a fun experience for my daughter who got to eat peanut butter, read books, and play with her toys.
What is the Teal Pumpkin Project?
So, what does the Teal Pumpkin Project have to do with this? This project is an opportunity for all kids to feel included in the festiviities of trick or treating. Many families navigating food allergies have to brainstorm how to allow their children to still trick or treat, but then take all of their candy away. I know many families who buy alternative snacks, which they then switch out with their children's trick or treat bag while they sleep.
Unfortunately, a lot of people don't understand the Teal Pumpkin Project and its importance. It is often the line between life and death. Which, as a parent, is pretty dang scary.
How can you help?
- Provide non-food related treats for trick or treaters.
- Place a teal pumpkin on your porch or wherever you are passing out candy to trick or treaters. The Teal Pumpkin Project also provides signs if you can't paint a pumpkin.
- Add your home to the Teal Pumpkin Project.
Happy Halloween!!
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