When our first child was diagnosed with environmental allergies in 2004 we were forced to learn a whole new way of living.  We became experts on indoor air quality, avoiding allergens and how to best manage the environment to keep our son safe and comfortable.  In 2006, our infant daughter was born and immediately had difficulty with eczema and allergies.  Before the age of 2 she had experienced multiple severe, life-threatening allergic reactions and was diagnosed with anaphylaxis to dairy, eggs, peanuts and tree-nuts.  I was nursing at the time and was reeling from this diagnosis.  I did not know what was safe and had to learn how to feed my family in a whole new way.  I can remember vividly how upset, stressed, frustrated, hungry! and overwhelmed I was by this life-changing diagnosis.  We had successfully managed environmental allergies but now we had to make changes to our internal environment.  As an avid life-long learner and educator I began to research and find resources to help me feed my child and keep her safe.  Here are some of the things that I have learned and can help you with as well as my qualifications to counsel you on Food Allergies and Anaphylaxis.

• Highly knowledgeable professional with a Master's Degree in Education and currently studying Psychotherapy.  Extensive experience working with allergy sufferers and a certified food allergy safety consultant.  Currently offering training workshops through the Region of Peel's Child Development Resource Connection to train preschool and daycare staff and cooks to accommodate allergic children safely in their facilities.
• Supported by Holistic Nutritionists and other Health & Wellness professionals.
• Available for consultations in person, by phone, or skype.  I have fielded questions and consulted with allergy sufferers all across North America.
• Support for newly diagnosed to make the home environment safe and to be aware of hidden sources of allergens
• Support for mediating between home and school (or camp, recreation programs, etc.), how to travel safely with allergens (airlines, road trips, camping, etc.)
• Menu Planning with information on deciphering ingredient labels, adapting recipes with substitutions and eating out
• Support for explaining allergies to extended family members who just don't "get it"
• Counseling for emotional issues, anxiety, depression and stress.  Dealing with the threat of a reaction or the trauma of having experienced one.  Strategies and resources to keep yourself healthy, and your relationships with others (this can put a lot of strain on marriages and extended family relationships).  Talking about the isolation and worry that accompanies the role of caring for someone with a life-threatening food allergy.
• Support for taking on the role of an allergy/anaphylaxis advocate in your community.  Whether we want to or not, this becomes a role we have to take on to keep safe.
• Information about the reality of allergy bullying and how to support the mental health of a family member or yourself (balancing fear and normalcy for a child, encouraging "safe" playdates and "normal" opportunities for social engagement.
• Mind-body connection:  The power of meditation, breathing and simple yoga postures to calm the body and mind.  "Our issues are in our tissues" and the stress of living with a life-threatening condition can manifest itself as chronic pain and tension in the body.  Simple exercises that can be done to restore calm and well-being.
• Recommendations of resources for parents and children (books, websites, form letters to be used for communicating with others about allergies, recipes, etc.)

Fees for Services:

• 15 minute Phone Consultation:  Free!  (905) 467-2626
• 60 min Phone, Skype or Office Session $90.00
• 30 min Phone, Skype of Office Session $55.00
• 3 session package $250
• 6 session package $500

Populations Served:

• People coping with food allergies/intolerance/sensitivities
  • Individuals
  • Parents and children with food allergies
  • Couples
  • Adolescents

Now Available!  Allergy & Anaphylaxis Safety Training

I have completed my certification as a "Protect Allergic Children" Consultant.  This qualifies me to educate parents of food-allergic children, teachers, caregivers, business owners, nurses, chefs and anyone who wants to ensure a safe environment for a food allergic child.

The Food Allergy Safety Training modules have been designed for:

• schools
• child care centres
• camps
• hospitals
• food allergic families
• restaurants and culinary schools

to provide education and training services to better protect food allergic children.

Training Services

The Protect Allergic Children (PAC) Program contains the following offerings:

• Protect Allergic Children:  Food Allergy Safety at School
• Protect Allergic Children:  Food Allergy Safety at a Child Care Facility
• Protect Allergic Children:  Food Allergy Safety at Camp
• Protect Allergic Children:  Food Allergy Safety at a Hospital
• Protect Allergic Children:  Creating a Safe Home Environment for Food Allergic Family Members & Preparing for School
• Protect Allergic Children:  Nutritional Assessment & Dietary Planning

The development of the above modules have been supported by an impressive Board of Directors and Advisory Board team including:

*Paediatric Allergics and Immunology Specialists

*Registered Dieticians

*Registered Nurses

*Food Allergy Support Group Leaders

*Educators

For more information please contact me or visit www.allergysafetytraining.com