“Through this process I have learned the lesson of perseverance and self worth in a society where it does not lift people up but tears them down.”
Feeling my throat tighten as I gasp for air, I think back to the warm chocolate chip cookie that I had just eaten. It must not have been chocolate, but also contained traces of peanuts. This realization showed me that everything, even as small as a cookie, I eat must be properly vetted because one small error could send me into anaphylaxis shock. At this time I was four years old and my parents were unaware that I was severely allergic to peanuts. Food allergies are becoming more prevalent in today’s society and being able to feel safe and trust that there is no risk of cross contamination is vital.
Going to elementary school provided another challenge because the school was not properly informed on how to deal with severe food allergies. They placed me at a table by myself away from the other children at lunch and could not even properly use an EpiPen. They had to ask my parents how and when they should use it. This action from the school isolated me from the other students and led to bullying. At the time I could not fathom a school district abandoning a student and then not taking action when I confronted them about the bullying and how a student put a peanut butter cookie in my face asking me what would happen to me. Not taking a firm action was devastating because that then led to other students bringing in peanut butter cookies for their birthday and once again being rude to me as I would have to decline taking one. Also the school district could not even find my EpiPen when my mother brought in a new one to replace the old expired one. This was a scary realization, when in reality there is only minutes before my throat is completely closed. This was devastating for an elementary student to have to endure.
Through this process I have learned the lesson of perseverance and self worth in a society where it does not lift people up but tears them down. Being kind is the cornerstone of a society built around unity and humanity. Community involvement is how I decided to take an active role in helping those in need instead of the popular opinion of abandonment. In 2019, I started delivering care bags to Akron Children’s Hospital for patients that undergo severe surgeries and must spend multiple days in the hospital. This allowed me to further reach out to the community to show humanity and kindness to complete strangers because everyone needs to be treated with respect and empathy. Bringing happiness to others can greatly impact society and help those that need a helping hand.
- Jamacyn