A food allergy parent’s worst nightmare became a reality on Monday!
Ammaria Johnson, a seven year old first grader at Hopkins Elementary School in Chesterfield, VA, died while attending school.
Tears! Shock! Fear!
Tears...How could we not protect this child? We failed her! The system failed her!
Shock... The school supposedly did not follow Ammaria’s food allergy action plan. And it was reported that when Ammaria’s mother attempted to leave an EpiPen with the school, they instructed her to keep it at home.
FEAR! I have a child who is allergic to peanuts and attends first grade at a local public elementary school. This could have been my son.
These are my first emotions when I think about Ammaria losing her life to a suspected peanut exposure at school. Rhonda Day, a local mom, grandmother, and writer for richmondmom.com, writes, “I am broken-hearted, angry, and confused about how this could happen.” This is a feeling that I am sure all of us are feeling right now.
It is suspected that a friend shared their treat with seven year old Ammaria Johnson, which may have contained peanuts. I have read that Ammaria’s food allergy action plan was not followed and that there was NOT an EpiPen on hand at the school for her. According to CBS 6 News when Ammaria’s mother, Laura Pendleton, attempted to leave an Epipen with the school’s clinical aide, she was told to keep it at home.
What we can do as parents to keep our children safe:
This tragedy is a not-so-gentle reminder to update your child’s medical information at school.
• Take some time to set up an appointment with your school nurse and teachers and remind them of your child’s allergies and food allergy action plan. Include all of your child’s teachers: art teacher, PE, music, extracurricular activity instructors, and bus driver.
• Review your child’s food allergy action plan and supply your school and staff with a copy. Remember to attach a picture of your child on your plan.
• Remind your child’s caretakers that strict avoidance can make the difference between life and death.
• Print copies of Ammaria’s story and supply each one of your child’s caretakers with a copy
• Demonstrate the use of an EpiPen.
• Remind your child’s caretakers of the symptoms of anaphylaxis
Symptoms may include one or more of the following: a tingling sensation in the mouth, swelling of the tongue and the throat, difficulty breathing, hives, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, drop in blood pressure, loss of consciousness, and even death. Symptoms typically appear within minutes to two hours after the person has eaten the food to which he or she is allergic.
• Epinephrine should be given as soon as a reaction begins. Do not wait to see if symptoms improve before using epinephrine. Follow your Food Allergy Action Plan immediately.
• Consider a 504 plan. A 504 plan is a written management plan outlining how the school will address the individual needs of your child, and allow your child to participate safely and equally with his classmates during school. Section 504 applies to any school that receives federal money (i.e., all public schools and many private schools), and applies to a variety of health conditions, including a life-threatening food allergy. For more information on 504 plans contact your school’s 504 coordinator or visit Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network's website.
• Visit with your child’s class. Ask your child’s teacher or principal if you can visit with the class or school and speak with the students about food allergies. Read a book and encourage interaction! Encourage questions! Remind the students of the importance of not sharing food and that their actions make a difference.
• Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network designed the “Be a PAL” program which is an educational awareness program designed to help parents and educators teach students what food allergies are and how to help their friends who have food allergies stay safe. The PAL program teaches five simple steps kids can take to keep their classmates safe:
1. Food allergies are serious. Don’t make jokes about them.
2. Don’t share food with friends who have food allergies.
3. Wash your hands after eating.
4. Ask what your friends are allergic to, and help them avoid it.
5. If a friend who has food allergies becomes ill, get help immediately!
You can find more information and printable brochures, awards, posters, and more at Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network.
• Check your child’s EpiPen to confirm that it is not expired. If they have expired replace them immediately and be thankful that you have expired pens. It beats the alternative. Keep your expired pens to teach others how to use an EpiPen.
• Have your child carry, depending on age and level of responsibility, their EpiPen with them at all times. Until this past fall we kept my nut allergy son’s EpiPen in 2 chosen locations at school. We kept one in the nurse’s office and one in his backpack. Keeping them in these two designated locations would eliminate losing it between activities or teachers. But an earthquake evacuation this past year was a wake-up call that our children need to wear their EpiPens. Students were evacuated and not permitted back into the school which means both sets of EpiPens were not accessible. This also meant that he rode home on the bus without it.
We can’t let our guards down. We are our children’s protectors!
My mother writes, “We pray that hearts will be lifted and that some ray of light or hope can eventually shine in this family's life. While our hearts are heavy, our heads must stay cool while the story unravels and we get to the truth. And at the same time, we must be vigilant, stay sharp and do whatever needs to be done to protect our children, grandchildren....our families.” I could not have said it better.
Please keep in mind that the facts of Ammaria Johnson's death are dependent on the accuracy of the media. The cause of death has not been confirmed by the Medical Examiner and the school has not released information. Lets work together as parents, schools, caretakers, and teachers to keep all children safe.
Additional information on food allergies can be found at Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network or Kids with Food Allergies. These are non-profit organizations with invaluable education, advice, and support.
EpiPen carriers can be found at Allergy Apparel.
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