You too can Campaign for Change
When Kayleigh Dawson's two-year-old son Wyatt was diagnosed with a severe peanut allergy, requiring them to carry Epi-Pens constantly, she realised how many dangers are found in daily life. Risks that those without allergies may not think to consider.
She took the usual precautions of clearing out the food cupboard in their home from anything that contained or 'May Contain' peanuts. She let anyone caring for him know how to keep him safe. She ensured they carried his Epi-Pens and safe snacks wherever they went.
But shortly after his diagnosis, Kayleigh took Wyatt for a walk in their local park in Lurgan, Northern Ireland. She sat with Wyatt on a tree trunk but then realised there were chopped peanuts and nuts scattered all over it. Thankfully, he hadn't touched them, but it could have become a dire situation if he had. Unfortunately, well-meaning visitors had thrown them to feed the birds.
She says, "People think it’s harmless because they don't realise they could kill somebody. Of course, it's innocent, but I realised if the general public understood how dangerous this could be to my son and many others like him, they might think twice before throwing nuts and peanuts onto the ground where children play."
Allergies affect 2-3 million people in the UK, with peanut allergy being one of the most prevalent. The British Medical Journal reported that one park, which sold bird feed to visitors, switched to a nut-free mix after the local hospital admitted five children who had all had contact allergic reactions in the same park. Other parks in the area began to follow suit.
Wishing to make a difference not just for her son, Kayleigh contacted Lord Mayor Glenn Barr. After highlighting the needs of the Allergy Community to him, she asked him to support her in finding ways to raise awareness of this safeguarding issue with the general public in Lurgan.
Credit: Armagh, Banbridge & Craigavon Council
The Lord Mayor said, "Kayleigh highlighted to me the fact that peanuts and tree nuts don't have to be eaten to cause an allergic reaction; people can have serious airborne and contact reactions from them. This is why the throwing of nuts and also seeds to feed animals, or even dropping an empty packet that contained nuts, can be dangerous in public areas. Children, especially young children, are naturally curious and could touch and potentially even place them in their mouths."
He agreed that encouraging people to be more allergy aware in public areas would make the outdoors much more inclusive and enable parents like Kayleigh with allergic children to let them play, reassured that they are safe.
The duo successfully highlighted the cause to residents in their local press.
Now, using stories she has seen via Natasha's Foundation, Kayleigh is appealing to her council to display signs, particularly around play areas and to educate the public on the risks of allergies. They remind people to wash their hands, eat in designated picnic areas away from play equipment and to dispose of rubbish properly. Natasha's Foundation recently reported on a Mum, Katie, successfully campaigning for park safety signs in Stockport, and Michelle in Westchester, New York.
The world becomes that much safer for people with allergies when the community comes together to create change by raising awareness and advocating for change. Anyone can be a ‘Natasha's Army Champion’ if they put their mind to it. Share success stories to encourage others to make positive changes because together we can be a powerful community. Make sure you are following us on Instagram, Facebook and via the newsletter so you can share the success stories to push others to do the same. Together we can be a powerful community.
Got an Allergy Story you’d like to share? Email it to yourstory@narf.org.uk
