Overcoming Severe Food Allergies by Alexandra

Overcoming Severe Food Allergies by Alexandra - May 2022 Scholarship Essay

OVERCOMING SEVERE FOOD ALLERGIES
“Dominos or Papa John’s?” my Mom asked on the way home from a horse show.
“Either, I can eat cheese now!” I exclaimed. Seven years earlier, I could not have dreamed of even coming into contact with cheese pizza.
Birthday parties? Forget it; too risky. Lunch at school had me sitting in the teacher's office eating my turkey sandwich. Starbucks was off-limits – the milk in the air could cause a severe allergic reaction because of the frothing of milk in the preparation of drinks.
I was born with severe food allergies to milk and eggs. Doing any activity that involved food put me at significant risk for an anaphylactic reaction and even death. Almost anything social put me at risk. As a result, for much of my childhood, I was isolated.
To help me have a normal life, my parents found Dr. Robert Wood, an allergist starting some of the first studies on food allergies. I was chosen to participate in a study. It was my golden ticket to a normal life. The study determined the efficacy of oral immunotherapy by ingesting small doses of the allergen to determine if I would become tolerant. My initial dose was .7 grams of milk protein blended in a smoothie. I slowly progressed every two weeks during my "up dosing" at the hospital. Before long, I could tolerate 10 grams, then 20. After 8 months, I could consume 4,000 grams.
The allergen (milk protein) mixture and soy milk that I affectionately referred to as "cement" was curing me. I hated every dosing. I shuddered with disgust whenever the time came for me to drink it. Nevertheless, I persisted. Drink after drink—day by day.
After the three-and-a-half-year period, the day that I dreamed up came: I would try to ingest 10,000 grams of milk powder – about 10 ounces of milk. I was scared. I was admitted to the hospital so if I had a bad reaction, I would be immediately transferred to the emergency room. My stomach was churning with nerves, but I drank the mixture. Afterward, I showed no symptoms of an allergic reaction. I felt liberated, relieved, proud, and safe knowing I was cured.
I needed to thank Doctor Wood and his team for changing my life. So, I jumped at the opportunity to speak at a prominent golf tournament sponsored by the hospital that raised money for Dr. Wood's food allergy studies. I was frightened to present a ten-minute speech to 200 golfers as a nine-year-old. But, my gratitude to Dr. Wood and my enthusiasm to promote food allergy research outweighed any fear. As I approached the podium and started to set up my notecards, a sense of pride and accomplishment washed over me. This study not only helped me overcome my allergies, it also helped me feel “normal.” I continue to volunteer at Johns Hopkins whenever asked. I have been interviewed on the radio, recorded radio commercials, helped design advertisements on their website, and spoken at many fundraising events.
In my sophomore year, I became a member of the Teen and Children's Council (TACC) at Johns Hopkins Hospital, which raises money for allergy research so that children can conquer their fears and defeat food allergies. This first speech encouraged me to give back again. As I look forward to the future, I don't worry about food allergies.
I find myself emboldened by my past; the isolation of having severe food allergies has taught me to be an advocate and to be an active participant in whatever moves me. This journey has given me the belief that I can persevere through any obstacle, no matter how difficult or overwhelming it might first appear to be. I know I can achieve my goals through hard work and dedication. Because I overcame food allergies, I never back down from a challenge, and I know I will eventually overcome whatever obstacles lie ahead.