By now you’ve heard about the 6-year old girl in Edgewater, FL who is allergic to peanuts (and peanut butter, which is derived from peanuts). When she comes in contact with peanuts, she experiences an allergic reaction so violent, that she is considered a child with a disability. Therefore, she is protected by the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Nevertheless, she had to swallow a dose of discrimination administered by parents of her classmates. Some parents have openly spoken against new procedures to rectify the problem and have shown disdain towards her. They feel she’s receiving special treatment. Notwithstanding, the school believes they were obliged to take drastic measures to prevent her from having an allergic reaction. The new rules that were implemented stipulate that all of her classmates are to wash their hands before entering the classroom. Then, following lunch they must wash their hands and mouths out. I’m guessing someone must be standing over every child’s shoulder because many children don’t bother to wash their hands thoroughly. Other children may forget to use soap (the agent that should remove germs and traces of peanut oil).
Needless to say, her parents must be utterly furious since those parents aren’t more compassionate and cooperative. They’d rather protest and demand that she be removed from the school and get taught at home than to go along with the program. Some parents don’t want to break the habit of sending their kids to school with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
So, let’s put this in perspective. According to the CDC, the number of children diagnosed with peanut allergies has increased 18%. Children allergic to gluten, nut, egg, milk, and shellfish, or who have asthma, ADHD, or diabetes has increased. Schools have yet to stop serving milk to students. They serve eggs for breakfast in some schools. So, schools won’t always roll out the red carpet to make every student comfortable. Children from all backgrounds who live with these conditions are still in the minority.
MY THOUGHTS
In my opinion, the Edgewater Elementary School should simply disallow peanuts and peanut butter inside of the school. This is what some schools have done. I do sympathize with the child and her parents. But, face it, everyone won’t always get to wash their hands and mouth this often. I’m sure the staff must do the same. I’m only allergic to heavy second-hand cigarette and cigar smoke and heavy fumes. However, I was all too happy once smoking in restaurants and buildings was banned. I’m not sure which side will win but the little girl’s parents may have to schedule a meeting with the Board of Education and/or the principal of the school to end this war.
Nevertheless, she had to swallow a dose of discrimination administered by parents of her classmates. Some parents have openly spoken against new procedures to rectify the problem and have shown disdain towards her. They feel she’s receiving special treatment. Notwithstanding, the school believes they were obliged to take drastic measures to prevent her from having an allergic reaction. The new rules that were implemented stipulate that all of her classmates are to wash their hands before entering the classroom. Then, following lunch they must wash their hands and mouths out. I’m guessing someone must be standing over every child’s shoulder because many children don’t bother to wash their hands thoroughly. Other children may forget to use soap (the agent that should remove germs and traces of peanut oil).
Needless to say, her parents must be utterly furious since those parents aren’t more compassionate and cooperative. They’d rather protest and demand that she be removed from the school and get taught at home than to go along with the program. Some parents don’t want to break the habit of sending their kids to school with a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.
So, let’s put this in perspective. According to the CDC, the number of children diagnosed with peanut allergies has increased 18%. Children allergic to gluten, nut, egg, milk, and shellfish, or who have asthma, ADHD, or diabetes has increased. Schools have yet to stop serving milk to students. They serve eggs for breakfast in some schools. So, schools won’t always roll out the red carpet to make every student comfortable. Children from all backgrounds who live with these conditions are still in the minority.
MY THOUGHTS
In my opinion, the Edgewater Elementary School should simply disallow peanuts and peanut butter inside of the school. This is what some schools have done. I do sympathize with the child and her parents. But, face it, everyone won’t always get to wash their hands and mouth this often. I’m sure the staff must do the same. I’m only allergic to heavy second-hand cigarette and cigar smoke and heavy fumes. However, I was all too happy once smoking in restaurants and buildings was banned. I’m not sure which side will win but the little girl’s parents may have to schedule a meeting with the Board of Education and/or the principal of the school to end this war.
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