Health The advice you need
But I wouldn’t let allergies stop my dreams
Julianne Ponan, 33, Walton-on-Thames
Standing at the back of the party, I watched the other children help themselves to a slice of chocolate birthday cake.
‘Mmm, yummy,’ one of my friends whooped. Tears pooled in my eyes.
It was October 2000, I was only 10 and would have given anything for a slice of delicious cake.
But it was impossible. I had anaphylaxis, a severe, potentially life-threatening allergic reaction triggered by all sorts of foods.
Even a mouthful of cake could kill me.
Aged 2, I’d been given cookies and milk at nursery and collapsed with breathing difficulties.
Was taken to hospital and given adrenaline. Doctors tested me to find the cause.
Found I was allergic to nuts, chickpeas, lentils, perfumes – even oils used in face creams.
Doctors gave Mum two EpiPens, which administered life-saving adrenaline if I came across an allergen.
Mum and Dad took it in their stride.
But other kids’ parents were so terrified I’d become ill at one of their parties, the invites dried up.
And the only people who would sit with me to eat lunch were teachers.
After school, I’d sit in my room alone, crying.
Promised myself when I was an adult I’d create a world where kids with allergies weren’t left out.
Mum and Dad encouraged me to live my life.
But being allergic to so many things meant I had to be careful. Learn to use the EpiPen, and scrutinise food labels.
‘This is so boring,’ I’d whine to Mum at the supermarket. ‘It could save your life,’ she cautioned.
She was right, but daily life was tough as so many allergies were airborne, too.
If someone was eating peanuts on the bus, there was a chance I’d have a life-threatening reaction.
I was always anxious in public places.
