| Learning to Live Positively with a Latex | | | | it. |
| Allergy | | | | |
| | | | A great way to help a child with latex |
| Your child has a latex allergy: Perhaps a | | | | allergies cope is to involve them in |
| mild allergy; perhaps a life-threatening one. | | | | protecting themselves and other children with |
| Either way, you now have to help your child | | | | the same problem. You're probably becoming a |
| live with it. Of course, to do so, you need | | | | bit of an activist already, possibly fighting |
| to be able to live with it. You've done all | | | | a school board to make sure that your child's |
| the research. You know to avoid balloons and | | | | class (and preferably the entire school) is |
| bananas. You've latex-proofed your house. | | | | latex-free, or asking toy shops to have lists |
| Have you grieved? | | | | of latex-free toys on hand. Let your child |
| | | | get involved too. Bring them along when you |
| While it might seem selfish, knowing that | | | | go before the school board and let them speak |
| your child can never go near latex, is the | | | | about their own need for safety and how latex |
| death of a dream for you-the dream of your | | | | affects them. Involving your child helps them |
| child living a safe, problem-free life. You | | | | feel like they are taking back some of the |
| have the right to grieve for his or her loss. | | | | control over their life that their allergy |
| Grieve over the fact that your child can | | | | took away. |
| never blithely go to a birthday party because | | | | |
| balloons are integral parts of that | | | | When your child stands up for him or herself, |
| experience. | | | | they are standing up for every child |
| | | | suffering latex allergies, or anything else |
| So what should you do after you finish | | | | that makes them different. Speaking out about |
| grieving over your child's latex allergies? | | | | their problem not only helps your child cope, |
| That one is simple. Get mad. | | | | but makes a positive contribution to the |
| | | | community. And with as fast as latex |
| "It won't do any good," you say. No, it won't | | | | allergies are growing, especially among |
| change your children's latex allergies, but | | | | adults in the healthcare field, awareness of |
| you'll probably feel better once you're done | | | | the problem needs to increase quickly. |
| being angry. Just like grieving, this should | | | | |
| only last a few days. Go ahead and be mad | | | | It seems like an uphill battle to educate |
| that your child is "different". Rant in | | | | other people about the danger of latex |
| private that it's not fair that your child | | | | allergies. There will always be another |
| has to worry about things other children | | | | parent to explain things to, another toy shop |
| don't. Maybe throw a few (soft) things | | | | to educate, another battle to fight. But the |
| because you're upset that you have to explain | | | | effort is far from useless. You and your |
| over and over and OVER to people that latex | | | | child will connect with people. You will both |
| allergies are real and deadly, and because | | | | make a difference, because even tiny |
| you're tired of repeating the list of foods | | | | victories help make the world a safer place. |
| your child must avoid in addition to rubber | | | | Most importantly, you are teaching your child |
| bands. | | | | to be pro-active and not let their allergy |
| | | | rule their heart and soul. |
| When you've allowed yourself to go through | | | | |
| the mad stage, it's time for acceptance. It | | | | Latex allergies will create daily wear and |
| should be a bit easier now to accept that | | | | tear on you and your loved ones. It's |
| your life will be as fully affected as your | | | | important to make sure you don't let yourself |
| child's life. Now you and your family can | | | | get run down. Take care of yourself so you |
| learn to help your child cope with this | | | | can withstand the coming years of helping |
| life-altering allergy. | | | | your child maneuver through the dangers of a |
| | | | latex-filled world. |
| How do you deal with the fact that your child | | | | |
| isn't invited to a fast food restaurant for a | | | | Reach out to others in a similar situation. |
| birthday party because all the kids will be | | | | Perhaps you won't find anyone else locally |
| in the ball pen-the balls are rubber, and | | | | who is dealing with latex allergies, but they |
| your child can't participate. Explaining to | | | | are on the rise, as are wheat and peanut |
| your child that he or she is being left out | | | | allergies. Why not band together and pool |
| for their own safety is heartbreaking for | | | | your energy as well as your resources? |
| both of you. | | | | Talking to others who have been there and |
| | | | done that will help both you and your child. |
| Children with latex allergies react to the | | | | If for no other reason, when they say that |
| changes and limitations in their lives in | | | | they understand they truly do. |
| different ways. Some just accept it and move | | | | |
| on. Others may accept it while they are | | | | Finally, though being pro-active in spreading |
| young, then lash out at the world when they | | | | the word about latex allergies and |
| are older and more fully comprehend their | | | | encouraging change to a safer environment is |
| limits. If your child struggles with the | | | | good, don't let your life or your child's |
| emotional pain caused by their allergy, you | | | | life become consumed by their allergy. It's |
| may need to guide them through the stages of | | | | very important to spend time doing things and |
| grief, anger and acceptance. Children will | | | | discussing subjects that have nothing to do |
| often stuff their frustrations deep inside | | | | with latex. Planning activities that are safe |
| because they are trying to be "good", so you | | | | may take a bit of advance work, but it will |
| may have to talk with your child and give him | | | | be worth it when your child is able to |
| or her permission to express sadness or anger | | | | completely relax and just be a kid like |
| at the difficulty this allergy brings with | | | | everyone else. |