This is what I live with every day. I have to make sure that nothing with cross-contamination goes into my mouth. Even touching nut residue could hurt me. The scariest part is that if someone touched a doorknob after eating peanuts, I might have a reaction if I touched that door knob. I always have to be prepared in case I go into anaphylactic shock, which is when my body starts to shut itself down and can easily be fatal.
I have had some scary reactions. One of the scariest was in second grade. We think that maybe I reacted to a water fountain, because I hadn’t eaten any food that might have caused the reaction. I went to the nurse’s office feeling itchy all over my body, but scratching didn’t help. Then my throat started to close, and I felt dizzy as my blood pressure dropped. Mom gave me the Epi-pen and I went to the hospital.
I have certain strategies to keep myself safe. I eat before I go to any party so that I’m not hungry if I can’t have anything there. I never eat food unless I am able to read the label. Sometimes, we have to call food manufacturers to make sure that a product hasn’t run on production lines with any nuts. I carry an Epi-pen everywhere I go, so that if I have an anaphylactic reaction I have emergency medicine that will give me enough time to get to a hospital. I look around when I enter rooms to see if there are nuts or nut candy sitting out that could be dangerous for me. I wash my hands before I eat anything to help keep myself nut safe. I never drink at water fountains, and I always carry my own water bottle. I’m practicing lots of cooking at home so that when I go to college I will be able to eat safely. Our family never buys food at bakeries, movies, ice cream parlors, candy shops, or ethnic food restaurants. It is too risky! Frankly, I just don’t go to the movies often (maybe a service dog will make this easier!). If I’m worried about eating an unsafe food when I’m out with my friends, I will just order a coke instead.
Benjamin's BlogDog 
Sophie Hilt
/ April 16, 2012I feel sorry for you, that must stink. Trac-E will definitely help! I know Trac-E isn’t supposed to be a pet, but I have a labradoodle too, and she is awesome! They are just really smart, fun dogs! I really hope that you can get her, it sounds like she would definitely help! If you don’t mind I would like to put this on my twitter.
Sophie H. (I’m in your 6th hour math class)
Joel
/ April 16, 2012Thanks, Sophie! Yes, it would be great if you put it on Twitter and tell your friends. I need all the help I can get. 🙂 Benjamin
Laurie
/ April 18, 2012Hey Benjamin ! My daughter has an Angel Service Dog and now goes the movies all the time! His name is Pepper and he helps us pick seats that are safe to sit in. Good luck!
Benjamin
/ April 18, 2012Thank You soooo much. I am excited to get Trac-E. I look forward to all of the new things that I can do safely