If you are an avid reader of this blog (thank you!), you know I have food allergies and I love to travel. I want to share with you today why I choose to live. I often get comments from people saying things like “how can you eat there?” or “how can you travel?” or my favorite “how do you live?” The answer is simple. I do not stop living because I have food allergies. I may alter how I eat in restaurants or how I travel but I will not stop because of food allergies. If anything, it makes it even more important to do so. I believe my life is a journey and if I can bring just a little more awareness to our community through eating out or traveling, then I must do so. We spend a lot of time being cautious and this is important. But, it is equally important not to shelter oneself because of dietary restrictions. Could you imagine if one would shelter themselves because they were blind, a diabetic, or an epileptic? We must not hide from society because of our ailments. We must function as everyone else does. We have to go to school, to work, to weddings, to family gatherings. This is what we call life!
Many years ago, a friend of mine was diagnosed with a terminal illness. She has a rare disease where she stopped growing at age 14. She was told she would never make it to 25. At that point, she decided to live life. She drove fast cars, raced bikes in the desert, married a wild man, played with scorpions etc. You get the point. She was and is an extremist. Today she is almost 40. Imagine what her life would have been like had she not done all these things. There are many that would get such a diagnosis and would refuse to venture out. They would be too afraid to work or to function. For years she has been a role model to me. I am not as adventurous, but I do believe in making the most of one’s life.
Please join me in living life. It is so precious we need to make the most of it.
OK I am off my soapbox now, thanks for listening/ reading!
Hi Tarah,
Thanks for this inspirational post. The last time I was diagnosed with new food allergies, I received a lot of information on how not to do this or that and how to be very cautious. I wish I had heard more positive stories and experiences then. It’s not because we have to be extra careful in one area of our lives that we can’t show audacity in others. For example, Canadian racing driver Alex Tagliani has food allergies and that didn’t stop him from living his passion.
One of my dreams was traveling to Japan, and I was able to spend one summer there, many years ago. Traveling with food allergies may take more preparation, but it can make us happier of what we have accomplished and more proud of our trips. Despite the obstacles, let’s keep on living our dreams and passions!
Way to go Marie-Helene. Thank you for your kind words. I too have traveled to Japan. It was actually one of my more difficult trips as it was pre-Allergict Traveler. I have learned a lot over the years from traveling and feel fortunate for it. Glad to hear I am in good company. Thank you!