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Imagine not being able to take your 7 year old to a birthday party because you are allergic to balloons. Can you feel the burning? the itching? The shortness of breath? The rapid race of your heart beat? Can you feel all of that as you walk into your classroom? Is it because the cleaning staff forgot to take off their latex gloves before they wiped the desks? Or did a kid accidentally bring in an eraser for their pencil? That is what it is like for a teacher who risks her health each day from exposure to ordinary items like erasers, rubber bands, and cork boards. Imagine never being able to go to a party, neighborhood picnic, or family reunion because the environment is unfamiliar. Try limiting your travel to only the places where there are latex-free hospitals just in case you need emergency medical care. Imagine having to call every restaurant before you went to ask a series of questions concerning their food prep and use of latex gloves. Imagine how anxious and isolated you would feel. That is what it is like to live with a severe anaphylactic latex allergy.
Amy, a single mother of two boys, has recently been diagnosed with a severe anaphylactic latex allergy. This sweet mother was rushed to emergency medical care last May from a church where she was volunteering to decorate a children’s party. Her spirit of volunteerism led her into a world of anxiety and isolation. She is unable to do the simplest of things outside the protection of her home. She cannot take her boys out to eat or to local play areas without calling ahead to ask if anyone has a balloon. Or if the kitchen uses latex free cooking equipment? She cannot go to Christmas parties without asking for poinsettias to be put away. Amy cannot go to the grocery store for a quick errand due to all the latex products. Amy cannot simply have someone bring her groceries to her. Her son has to wipe down every item. Her boys cannot come and go as they please. Each time they return from a friends house or school they have to shower and change. If they don’t, they risk sending their mother to the hospital.
There is no allergy pill or shot for a latex allergy. Avoidance is the ONLY option. Despite the use of special masks and gloves, Amy has had over 25 visits to the doctor or hospital. She has been hospitalized 5 times. Her children have had to become very alert to her reactions. They have to be able to tell if she is having a reaction to some unknown particulate in the air. How bad was she exposed? Is she breathing ok? Do we need to call 911? That is a lot of pressure for a 14 year old. Even more so for her 7 year old son.
Amy has an option available to her to help keep her safe. Amy has been approved for an allergy detection dog. A latex detection dog would allow her to live a more normal life by alerting her to danger so a reaction can be avoided. A dog would also allow her children to live more normal lives, and stop being so scared for their mom. The boys are Amy’s biggest motivation for having an allergy dog. It is hard for her to know that her fourteen year old is constantly watching to see if she is having an allergic reaction. Her seven year old gets scared every time she cough, worried she is unable to breathe. This year in his letter to Santa he asked him to take away Amy’s allergy. Santa can’t take away the allergy, nothing can. But WE can come together and help Amy have an allergy detection dog, which would allow her and her boys to lead a more normal life. Amy was hesitant to ask for help, but she really needs it. She just wants to be able to live her life, to continue teaching, to be in the world, and to see her children live their amazing lives.
Amy has already been vetted by the organization that trains the dog and she was approved to receive an allergy detection dog. The opportunity is here; all she needs is the funds! Any amount you can give would be greatly appreciated. Allergy detection dogs require a lot of training and the total cost for a dog is $17,500. $3,000 is needed as soon as possible as a down payment. Any amount you can give would be greatly appreciated. Please help us keep Amy safe!
Here is some information about allergy detection dogs and the organization Amy is using. http://allergendetectionservicedogs.com/aboutus/faq
Amy, a single mother of two boys, has recently been diagnosed with a severe anaphylactic latex allergy. This sweet mother was rushed to emergency medical care last May from a church where she was volunteering to decorate a children’s party. Her spirit of volunteerism led her into a world of anxiety and isolation. She is unable to do the simplest of things outside the protection of her home. She cannot take her boys out to eat or to local play areas without calling ahead to ask if anyone has a balloon. Or if the kitchen uses latex free cooking equipment? She cannot go to Christmas parties without asking for poinsettias to be put away. Amy cannot go to the grocery store for a quick errand due to all the latex products. Amy cannot simply have someone bring her groceries to her. Her son has to wipe down every item. Her boys cannot come and go as they please. Each time they return from a friends house or school they have to shower and change. If they don’t, they risk sending their mother to the hospital.
There is no allergy pill or shot for a latex allergy. Avoidance is the ONLY option. Despite the use of special masks and gloves, Amy has had over 25 visits to the doctor or hospital. She has been hospitalized 5 times. Her children have had to become very alert to her reactions. They have to be able to tell if she is having a reaction to some unknown particulate in the air. How bad was she exposed? Is she breathing ok? Do we need to call 911? That is a lot of pressure for a 14 year old. Even more so for her 7 year old son.
Amy has an option available to her to help keep her safe. Amy has been approved for an allergy detection dog. A latex detection dog would allow her to live a more normal life by alerting her to danger so a reaction can be avoided. A dog would also allow her children to live more normal lives, and stop being so scared for their mom. The boys are Amy’s biggest motivation for having an allergy dog. It is hard for her to know that her fourteen year old is constantly watching to see if she is having an allergic reaction. Her seven year old gets scared every time she cough, worried she is unable to breathe. This year in his letter to Santa he asked him to take away Amy’s allergy. Santa can’t take away the allergy, nothing can. But WE can come together and help Amy have an allergy detection dog, which would allow her and her boys to lead a more normal life. Amy was hesitant to ask for help, but she really needs it. She just wants to be able to live her life, to continue teaching, to be in the world, and to see her children live their amazing lives.
Amy has already been vetted by the organization that trains the dog and she was approved to receive an allergy detection dog. The opportunity is here; all she needs is the funds! Any amount you can give would be greatly appreciated. Allergy detection dogs require a lot of training and the total cost for a dog is $17,500. $3,000 is needed as soon as possible as a down payment. Any amount you can give would be greatly appreciated. Please help us keep Amy safe!
Here is some information about allergy detection dogs and the organization Amy is using. http://allergendetectionservicedogs.com/aboutus/faq
Organizer and beneficiary
Amy Crawford
Beneficiary