Advocating for Food Allergies

It often seems that life circumstances lead you to your passions.  This has been the case in terms of advocacy for Brandon.  There is an organization called FARE (Food Allergy Research and Education) that advocates at a national level for those with food allergies.  We've supported FARE both financially and with our time over the past few years . . . . . they have annual "walks," where people can create a team, raise money, and then gather on a day to walk with other food allergy families.  He's participated probably in 4 over the past 5-6 years, and this year we were able to do it as an entire family, along with my sister, Erin.  In the spirit of having fun, we also had our own t-shirts made this year.  😃  For those of you who have been following our journey, we have 'adopted' a turtle as our mascot, due to the slow pace at which we are proceeding with Brandon's dosing.  Additionally, teal is the 'color' of food allergy awareness.  So pair the two together, and you get the "Teal Turtles" as our team name.  Ta da!!

The walk was back at the beginning of October, down in Memorial Park, close to the Galleria.  It was warm and humid (you never know what kind of weather you're going to get in Houston in October!) but we enjoyed some pre-event festivities, the walk, and then some refreshments afterwards.  I even won some Kendra Scott swag in the raffle - woot woot!  🙌  It's nice to be at a place where you feel accepted, and I think that's what drives Brandon's desire to participate in events such as these . . . he knows everyone there either HAS a food allergy or is close to someone with a food allergy, so there's no questioning, snickering, joking, or being made fun of over this invisible disability.  

We found out just a few weeks ago that the Food Allergy Walk program has been discontinued for future years.  🙁  It was a bummer for Brandon to hear, especially because of the inclusiveness that he feels at these events.  However, when a door closes, another one opens, so we will see how and where we can advocate for food allergies in the future and in other ways.  It's a big job to 'teach' the world about food allergies, but if anyone has the drive and passion to figure out a way to do it, I have no doubt that Brandon will be that person. 😉  

Here are a few pics from our day at the walk this year . . . . . go Teal Turtles!  🐢💚🐢

~Momma Knows Best

Team Teal Turtles - (l to r: little bro Tyler, Michael (dad), Brandon, Erin (my sister), Julie (a.k.a. Momma Knows Best) 

Super Heroes walk for food allergies  💪