A couple of years ago, Hannah and Micah went to camp. Well, not a normal camp with a lake and mosquitoes, this was a camp called LEAD Wisconsin. It’s an annual one-week summer camp for kids to be able to go and develop their leadership skills. They learned how a bill is passed, practiced writing one themselves, debated, and even had the opportunity to go to the state capitol, stand on the floor of the House or Senate, and actually “present” a bill in front of their peers. Along with this amazing learning experience, the young leaders of tomorrow are also able to meet some special guests too. When Hannah and Micah went, they were able to meet a well-known up-and-coming leader named Charlie Kirk. They spoke to him and even had their picture taken with him. It was a very special opportunity and one that, looking back now, seems even far more significant. It is unbelievable to even think and realize that both Hannah and Charlie are in heaven. One was killed by a bullet and hate and the other by a peanut. If we were to combine their ages and project them into one average person’s life, they would still be between fifteen and twenty years away from retirement. We are thankful for the opportunity that our children had thanks to LEAD Wisconsin, and we are thankful that Charlie was willing to set such an amazing example.
After we returned home from meeting the governor last week, we took Grace in to the vet to get a small ear infection treated. (She is fine) While we were there, we spoke for a few minutes with the assistant to the veterinarian. She was aware of Hannah’s accident and as we spoke about Hannah, she told us that her daughter, who is seven, is now allergic to peanuts and other tree nuts too. She said that her daughter did eat peanut butter as a younger child, but recently she made something with peanut butter in it and her daughter told her that she did not want any of it because it made her throat tight and scratchy. This mom was obviously alarmed at this unexpected change and took her to the allergist where she was tested, diagnosed with the peanut allergy, and given the EpiPens. We each shared our amazement at how life-changing something so otherwise simple can be. We shared many of the things that we have been learning, and she is actively working with her allergist on making sure that her daughter is safe. It is another reminder of how pervasive and often unexpected these allergies can be.
The next day we were contacted by a man named Mark. He told us that he had overheard our story at the governor’s event and really wanted to talk to us about it. We contacted him back as soon as we could and he told us that his son passed away from a peanut allergy two weeks or so after Hannah, at the age of twenty. Andrew tested negative for a peanut allergy when he was young, and as he grew older, he just avoided peanut related things because he simply did not like the taste. Mark said that he was just a bit of a picky eater with some foods. It was not until this event took his life that they learned of his allergy. Here is a link to their son Andrew’s Story so you can read it on Allergic Living:
It is heartbreaking to hear about another young life being taken by this. Mark also told me that he is helping to get a bill passed that would allow all first responders to be able to carry and administer epinephrine in Wisconsin. Although an EpiPen seems so simple, apparently most first responders may not have access to one or even be allowed to administer it! He told me that at one point, while Andrew was having significant difficulty breathing and they were waiting for the paramedics, there were five first responders in his driveway, yet no one had an EpiPen! In his memory, Andrew’s family and friends were able to raise enough money to buy EpiPens for many of the first responders in their county. We are looking forward to working with them in passing legislation that protects the health and safety of people with these serious allergies. This is yet another opportunity that we have to help others, and when we have these types of meetings, we are reminded that we are not the only ones and our steps are being directed!
We are blessed.
Hannah Helps 