From Diagnosis and Overwhelmed to Equipped and Capable
One mom’s journey learning to navigate the life-threatening food allergies of her two small children and finding creative solutions to share with others.
By Kendra Dorosh
www.bubbaboxx.com Use code LIVLIKEOAKS at checkout for 20% off
Not many people can say that Costco trailmix changed their life forever, but I can. My name is Kendra, and I’m about to share with you a moment I’ll never forget. Although it may be a trigger for some, I hope that it will bring hope and strength to other families navigating life threatening food allergies. Know that I am fortunate to say that both of my children are safe and thriving. Sometimes life has a funny way of turning a tough situation into a hidden blessing that can be used to help others.
How our allergy warrior journey began:
It was a Friday morning, January 29th at 10AM and I was enjoying a snack with my 2 year old daughter, Isla. Like most kids, Isla was picking out the raisins and M&Ms. It had been a rough morning with the new baby (4 mo old Blake) who was now peacefully sleeping in his swing. As I rushed around picking up toys and trying to prep for lunch in between feedings, I yelled over my shoulder for Isla to stop picking out the candy and to eat a handful with nuts in it… aimlessly trying to explain to a 2 year old why protein is important.
When nutrition facts didn’t work, I stopped what I was doing, got down on my knees with Isla and told her, pick out a little handful with everything in it and eat it all. So she did. She scooped up a little toddler handful with cashews, peanuts and almonds. Nearly instantly she started crying, but no no she wasn’t about to get away with it. I urged her on until she swallowed the whole thing (oh, the mom guilt!). Still crying, and utterly upset, Isla curled up in a ball on the couch. Shortly after that, she began to swell in the cheeks and lips, got a red rash on her chest and began to vomit profusely. I wrapped my arms around my little girl and held her, her heartbeat racing rapidly, her skin pale and her eyes heavy with fear and confusion begging me to make it better. (did you know that anaphylaxis can actually bring on feelings of “doom”, like something terrible is about to happen?). It was at this time that I should have administered epinephrine. Unfortunately, I had never known anyone with food allergies and to me, epi pens were something only people allergic to bee stings needed.
Later that day after hastily rushing both kids to the pediatricians, I was told that Isla’s body was going into Anaphylactic shock. I should have dialed 911 and I was lucky my daughter was still alive. The moment was soul crushing. A mother’s nightmare. I vowed then and there that my daughter would never look at me with that fear in her eye’s again. Thus began my quest for answers.
Becoming “Meat Eating Vegans”
Now I wish I could tell you that Isla’s allergies to peanuts and tree nuts would be the end to our story, but it turned out it was just the beginning. Throughout the next two years our family would undergo many food allergy shocks. Including multiple trips to the emergency room, and many doses of benedryll and steroids. In the fall of 2021 we even had to stop an airplane from taking off when Blake broke out in full body hives and began swelling around the mouth after eating a fruit bar that used eggwhites as the combining agent (our first time learning of his egg allergy). Through trial and error, skin testing, and more blood work than we can count we discovered that Isla is allergic to peanuts, tree nuts, and tuna fish. Blake shares the same allergies to Isla, but is also allergic to dairy and eggs. As a family, we’ve dubbed ourselves “meat eating vegans” and we avoid 5 of the top 9 food allergens.
It’s been a rollercoaster of wins and devestations. There’s a lot that’s happened that could have been avoided if I had only been more educated. But you don't’ know what you don’t know. I’ve since spent countless hours scouring the grocery stores, learning new recipes, finding the best brands with safe manufacturing facilities, and doing everything I can to not let my children live in fear of their allergies. Although wrapping them in a bubble and keeping them home forever was certainly tempting…
An Opportunity to Help Others
As many allergy moms will come to find, I’ve discovered that although our friends and family desperately want to help and be supportive, they simply don’t know enough and aren’t confident feeding our children when we aren’t around. So, I began to carry safe snacks everywhere I went and jokingly refer to myself as the “crazy snack mom”. Whether it’s a restaurant, the park, or even grandma’s house, Isla and Blake will always have delicious and safe snacks that they feel confident eating. This makes everyone more comfortable and the snacks also work as a subtle reminder to everyone we spent time with of Isla and Blake’s food allergies.
After seeing how much my snack preparedness was helping my own children, I made the easiest decision of all… I would launch Allergy Warrior Kids and begin selling BUBBABOXX, the top 9 allergen-free subscription snack box for kids. Named after Blake, who Isla lovingly refers to as “Bubba”. Sometimes life has a funny way of turning a tough situation into a hidden blessing that can be used to help others.
Allergy Warrior Kids is happy to announce that $1 from every BUBBABOXX sold will be donated to Red Sneakers for Oakley. If you’d like to subscribe to the top-9 allergen free snack box for kids you can use discount code LIVLIKEOAKS at checkout for 20% off your purchase.
If you’d like to join us on our food allergy journey, follow us on Instagram @allergywarrior_kids
