A Leap of Faith

On Tuesday we will be taking our first family vacation out of state (that isn’t back home to Chicago). We are headed to Legoland in California. It will be the first time Matthew flies on an airplane since his peanut allergy diagnosis shortly after he turned one. He is now 2.5 and has some limited understanding of his food allergies. He knows when we tell him something has peanuts he cannot touch it. He does not yet understand that peanuts will kill him. Thankfully we are flying Southwest and I have already notified the airline of his allergy. They will not serve peanuts on our flight. We should also be allowed to pre-board and wipe our area down to limit the contamination from previous flights that day. We are taking his car seat and will strap him in for the flight to hopefully limit his contact with peanut products. I bought disposable place mats for the tray tables and will have snacks for both boys for on the plane. If only I could find disposable nitrile gloves in toddler sizes. We have absolutely no idea whether his allergy is airborne. This will be the first time he will be exposed to airborne peanut particles in a small area. I will also have two sets of his epipens and 4 Auvi-q auto injectors with us for the flight. In the event of an anaphylactic reaction, each auto injector only lasts about 15 minutes before the effects wear off. They are designed to bridge the gap between first responder and emergency room care. Due the nature of a flight, it recommended to carry enough auto injectors to last the duration of the flight. His allergist also told us to give him Benadryl prior to boarding.

I made both boys these shirts to wear at the airport and on the plane. It is my hope that they are seen as a cute way to create awareness and advocate for my 2.5 year old when he cannot yet do it himself. It is not my intention to create conflict or tension among other travelers. With that being said, as a parent I am taking a leap of faith. I will have prepared the best I can and I will do everything in my part to limit exposure in the airport and on the plane.  But there is the X factor: the things I cannot control. I am taking a leap of faith with regards to the airline personal and hope they will see my son for the crazy, lovable, inquisitive toddler he is and not as a liability.  I am taking a leap of faith in my fellow travelers. I pray that they may be blessed with compassion and understanding when they are informed they will not receive peanuts on our 2 hour flight, but an alternative snack. I hope they will look at my child and see just that: a child. A small child who has no control over the way his body reacts to peanuts as if they were poison. A child who, along with his big brother, is extremely excited to go to Legoland and see the ocean for the first time.

Like I said, I am going to control what I can and take a leap of faith with that which I can’t and pray all we encounter greet my child with tolerance and compassion.