Nut Allergies -- a Yuppie invention: As if.
So, I just came across an Op-Ed piece by Joel Stein in today's Los Angeles Times:
Nut allergies -- a Yuppie invention
span">Some kids really do have food allergies. But most just have bad reactions to their parents' mass hysteria.
Oh, really???
Your continued employment is based on what? Talent? Humor? Facts?
Nut allergies -- a Yuppie invention
span">Some kids really do have food allergies. But most just have bad reactions to their parents' mass hysteria.
Oh, really???
Well, below is my full response to Mr. Stein's Op-Ed piece, which I tried (unsuccessfully) posting on the LA Times website.
Unfortunately, at the time I kept getting an error message stating that it was "too long." Of course, I did have to fight the image of Mr. Stein sitting on the other side of the computer screen shooting down angry responses like rubber ducks at the county fair.
I even began "testing" the Los Angeles Times Comment Page by posting far shorter "messages" like:
"Dear Mr. Stein,
You're a mean one, Mr. Grinch."
But even that came back with an error message.
However, since none of these visualizations helped my blood pressure, I decided to just park my reaction right here on my own damn blog:
Dear Mr. Stein,
I see the windows of opportunity for viewer responding to your "piece" in today's paper closes at 5 p.m. today. Okay.
That's fine. I should be done sharpening all pointy objects in the vicinity, by then.
I'm bewildered that while so many qualified journalists have lost their jobs lately, you (miraculously) remain on the Los Angeles Time's payroll. For what? Churning out what can only be described as astonishingly ignorant, clearly desperate pleas for attention? I guess so.
I see the windows of opportunity for viewer responding to your "piece" in today's paper closes at 5 p.m. today. Okay.
That's fine. I should be done sharpening all pointy objects in the vicinity, by then.
I'm bewildered that while so many qualified journalists have lost their jobs lately, you (miraculously) remain on the Los Angeles Time's payroll. For what? Churning out what can only be described as astonishingly ignorant, clearly desperate pleas for attention? I guess so.
Your continued employment is based on what? Talent? Humor? Facts?
Uh, not last time I checked.
Let's take the question of your literary "talent."
Well, your own bio states you "lucked" into your former employment at TIME, but perhaps that was just a typo.
Let's consider that your literary employment exists because you are so darn funny.
Look, Larry David remains the only person who got away with making a joke about peanut allergies. For the record, you are no Larry David. Oh, and remember that time you were on Bill Maher?
Let's take the question of your literary "talent."
Well, your own bio states you "lucked" into your former employment at TIME, but perhaps that was just a typo.
Let's consider that your literary employment exists because you are so darn funny.
Look, Larry David remains the only person who got away with making a joke about peanut allergies. For the record, you are no Larry David. Oh, and remember that time you were on Bill Maher?
Neither, do we -- I rest my case.
And, then there's the evidence that your writing is informed with substantial medical or scientific facts.
Oh, I wish. If you had bothered to actually research and/or actually include any real facts in your hastily concocted, dopey diatribe against kids with nut allergies, you'd now actually be way too embarrassed to ever leave your (what I can only hope is a) roach-infested hovel.
And, then there's the evidence that your writing is informed with substantial medical or scientific facts.
Oh, I wish. If you had bothered to actually research and/or actually include any real facts in your hastily concocted, dopey diatribe against kids with nut allergies, you'd now actually be way too embarrassed to ever leave your (what I can only hope is a) roach-infested hovel.
I digress. Attacks on kids with life-threatening health conditions do that to me, I guess.
You say that the population for nut allergies is "tiny," but below is a link to a list of just some of the tragic fatalities as result of having a nut allergy.
I'm not sure these people's friends and families think this issue is quite as frivolous as you seem to:
Deaths due to fatal food allergies
Next time you want attention, try not to resort to acting like a schoolyard bully.
Sincerely, Louise Larsen
Louise On The Left
You say that the population for nut allergies is "tiny," but below is a link to a list of just some of the tragic fatalities as result of having a nut allergy.
I'm not sure these people's friends and families think this issue is quite as frivolous as you seem to:
Deaths due to fatal food allergies
Next time you want attention, try not to resort to acting like a schoolyard bully.
Sincerely, Louise Larsen
Louise On The Left
http://louiselarsen.blogspot.com/
-------------------------------------------------------------------
What can I say?
Do I have an opinion about this? Yes.
Am I biased? You bet.
Does my kid have a severe peanut allergy? Yes, she does.
She almost died in my arms when she was 15 months old. I don't think she was being hysterical or overreacting. Neither she or I knew about peanut allergies whatsoever in March 1997. It's hard to overreact to a reaction you've never seen before to a food you never knew caused something as frightening as anaphylaxis.
By the way, you know who also has a severe peanut allergy? My rheumatologist does. But he's biased, he works in "medicine."
She almost died in my arms when she was 15 months old. I don't think she was being hysterical or overreacting. Neither she or I knew about peanut allergies whatsoever in March 1997. It's hard to overreact to a reaction you've never seen before to a food you never knew caused something as frightening as anaphylaxis.
By the way, you know who also has a severe peanut allergy? My rheumatologist does. But he's biased, he works in "medicine."
Yeah, what does he know? He's Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine of Rheumatology at USC Keck School of Medicine.
Call me "hysterical," but, I don't think he's making things up about how lethal it is.
And I don't think the suddenly deadly rise in peanut allergies is being overstated by my allergist, also an Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine at USC specializing in Allergy and Immunology at USC, who has been on NPR regarding this subject. She did something different that time, she used facts when she talked about it. She's craaaaaaaazy!
But, my point is, I don't think they're making things up. I don't think they're overreacting.
And I certainly don't think it's something to dismiss the way Mr. Stein has in today's LA Times.
But, you can't trust them, they all have a "severe peanut allergy." They are all "biased."
What really disturbs me the most about all this chatter is that by questioning this subject at all, and by taking a cavalier, pseudo-funny view about something as deadly as anaphylaxis, it actually lowers people's respect for taking precautions about it. Or it could.
What really disturbs me the most about all this chatter is that by questioning this subject at all, and by taking a cavalier, pseudo-funny view about something as deadly as anaphylaxis, it actually lowers people's respect for taking precautions about it. Or it could.
And that kind of thinking could endanger people's lives. Well, not my kid, Mr. Stein. No way. Don't agree? Call me. My daughter and I would love to take you to a (peanut-free) lunch and talk to you in person.
Given that I've just asked the devil to lunch, I thought I'd share some information regarding his bio as printed on the Los Angeles Times website. Naturally, it wouldn't let me copy and paste it, so I chose to just include some of the highlights:
Joel Stein is desperate for attention. (?!) ...Two years later he lucked into a job as a staff writer for Time magazine, (?!) where over seven and a half years he wrote a dozen cover stories ...
Being desperate for attention, (?!)...
... After teaching a class in humor (?!) , he moved to L.A. at the beginning of 2005 to write a column for the Los Angeles Times. He still contributes to Time and whatever magazines allow him to. But his heart belongs to you, L.A. Times reader. Only to you.
Joel Stein is desperate for attention. (?!) ...Two years later he lucked into a job as a staff writer for Time magazine, (?!) where over seven and a half years he wrote a dozen cover stories ...
Being desperate for attention, (?!)...
... After teaching a class in humor (?!) , he moved to L.A. at the beginning of 2005 to write a column for the Los Angeles Times. He still contributes to Time and whatever magazines allow him to. But his heart belongs to you, L.A. Times reader. Only to you.
Right. Well, guess what? Your heart can't belong to me, because right now I think you're a jerk.
Of course, I'm open to meeting with you in person. Maybe I'm wrong.
Maybe you're not a bully.
Maybe you're not everything you appear to be in print.
Maybe you're not a bully.
Maybe you're not everything you appear to be in print.
Comments
I used to be a nay sayer when it came to allergies... thinking that it was more of an inconvenience and not too serious. Well let me tell you, I have changed my tune!
I have gone from being allergy free to mild allergies, hayfever, and now serious allergies that include narcotics and very recently some nuts.
Allergies are very real, very scary and very unpredictable!
I have designed awareness cards for children to share with their classmates and in turn those parents that don't quite 'get it'. Allergies aren't always just annoying... they are life threatening!
Best wishes to you and your daughter!
Amanda
www.freewebs.com/mom2fourprinting
Good post.
My 6yr-old is allergic to all tree nuts, peanuts and sunflower seeds (including safflower oil, shea buter/oil found in hair products and body lotions/chapstick etc..)
He was diagnosed in October 2003 at 18months old after a reaction to eating "HALF" a peanut. I had him re-tested at the same time I had my 2yr-old tested for the first time, and to watch my daughter sit completely still after the test was done, and beside her was my son crying cause he couldn't reach the middle of his back to scratch the hives the size of a quarter that instantly appeared, said it all. And if that is the reaction you can see on the outside, just imagine the reaction on the inside of the body, its that scary.
So do yourself a favour, go back to telling jokes in a dirty underground comedy act if you think you're that funny. But leave this issue alone, because its not up for discussion. It is what it is and the realities aren't negotiable, neither is living with the fear of dying every day.
Louise, thank you for contacting me about Mr Stein, I really didn't think there were people that ignorant about this issue, I was wrong.
Peanuts are an airborn allergy as well as ingestible allergy. What this means (since you obviously did not do all your research correctly) is that if peanuts are eaten in the vicinity of someone who has this allergy the dust inhaled could cause as violent a reaction as well as if they had eaten it themselves. This also means that if there is peanut residue on tables, hands or even lips and comes in contact with the allergic person the reaction can be equally severe. With each reaction a person has the allergy grows worse.
I would suggest you read Dr. Michael Young's The Peanut Allergy Answer Book. Dr. Young happens to be my son's physician and would be happy to clue you in on the truth about peanut allergies. I resent the tone of your article and disapprove of your making light of what is a very challenging and life threatening food allergy. My son is four years old and is allergic to dairy, eggs, tree nuts, peanuts and soy protein. He handles his allergies with so much grace and understanding. All he wants to do just like any child is enjoy everything life has to offer and be treated like a "normal" child. He wants to play with his friends, attend school and love life all in a safe environment. It is people like you that make that just a little more difficult each day.
I am in no way suggesting we ban all peanuts but only understand the allergy and do what is necessary to help those with this allergy be safe. Education and understanding are the keys to my son's survival right now. It would be nice if everyone received all the information in order to form opinions ad create safe environments.
Put away your silly notions of food allergies and do some real research. I challenge you to step out of your little box and print an article that contains all the facts. Better yet, put yourself in the shoes of a parent of a child with food allergies or someone with food allergies. Spend one day as if you had this allergy and walk through life...notice what challenges you face. Try to remember you have a great gift in being able to reach millions of people through your words. In life we will all be remembered for how we use our gifts to better our community. Wouldn't it be nice if you were remembered for not how you amuse your community but how you helped it grow and learn.
Boy, he got my blood boiling.
First of all, I am a parent of a food allergic child, not just peanuts but many other foods as well and I was horribly offended and disgusted with your uneducated, arrogant column. I don't know who the hell you think you are but if you even had a clue about what our life is like with these allergies you would maybe take another look an the garbage that you are publishing. I wish my son did not have these allergies. We didn't know anything about food allergies before my son's diagnosis and I can't tell you how I would love to never mention the fact that my child has food allergies to anyone ever again. You were correct in one area, that other countries allergy level to peanuts have not grown, but in ALL western civilized countries, they have. Your comment about the fact that Israel has other things to worry about besides peanut allergies, shows how ignorant and foolish you actually are. Japan has had a sharp increase in rice allergy, peanut allergy in Japan occurs less frequently, does that mean that the "yuppies" in Japan have nothing better to try to get attention by talking about rice? No, it happens because the foods that are commonly eaten are more likely to become sensitized by the immune system. I just can't believe that anyone, even the LA times would allow that kind of garbage to be published. I think you need to educate yourself more before writing a column that is on such a sensitive subject, that could effect these peoples lives. I believe we, as parents that you slandered in that article, we deserve an apology. Monica
Thank you for your post, and may I suggest that you print out all of these responses to your blog and mail them to the Times. I intend to send a letter of my own as well...
Best,
Melissa
It was no surprise, although a huge disappointment, to have our son be diagnosed with multiple allergies. We know he is allergic to peanuts, milk, and eggs. We are also going for more testing because he is having symptoms again. Every day that I drop my son off at daycare I live in fear. Who would intentially INVENT that for their child? No one. We are people that understand that. This isn't a game to play. We have to be constantly on the offense. Reading every food label, constantly trying to educate practically everyone that ever comes in contact with your child. Thank God they aren't all Mr Stein!!!
It might be worth writing a letter to the print version of the paper, plus I think his personal email is published.
My comments from the fray, below:
35. Joel: Research is still being done on what causes the allergies -- yes, it seems to occur mostly in Europe & N America Australia, but there is suggestion it is related to how the nuts are processed. Bully for the jewish kids, but I don't think stereotyping that it only happens to "yuppie" kids is accurate - it has nothing to do with income.
Submitted by: David
3:44 PM PST, January 9, 2009
34. It's disheartening to see someone with a public platform like yours exhibiting so little empathy for others. No one chooses to have a peanut allergy. Maybe you'll understand if someone close to you gets this disease...but I'm not optimistic that you ever will. Callow, callous...and no class. Goodbye, Joel.
Submitted by: David
3:45 PM PST, January 9, 2009
It is obvious that you don't know anyone with a diagnosed food allergy. If you truly did, you never would have written this ignorant piece of crap. Living with a child who has not only a peanut allergy but also an egg allergy day in and day out is very frightening. I have educated my six year old on what he is allowed to have and what he can't consume. He is a confident, out going, and bright kid. I've taught him that this is part of our life and we don't play the "poor me" card. He has accepted this and is just your typical little boy. His friends at school look out for his best interest (the children are awesome,) it's the adults that always have an issue with going peanut free. When it comes done to it, it's just a matter of ignorance. Just a question for you "Dr." Stein, were the numerous hives, projectile vomiting and troubled breathing just part of my yuppie imagination???
Here's the link:
http://rationaljenn.blogspot.com/2009/01/i-am-not-attention-seeking-psycho.html
By the way, I am the administrator of the Living with Food Allergies Blog Carnival and I'd love for you and other of your other readers to participate in our carnival. Please leave a comment at my blog if you want more information, or go to Blogcarnival.com.
Thanks for calling my attention to this.
Joel, its people like you that prevent people like us touched by life threatening food allergies to move forward and gain inclusion within society. You will never know what we go through when you have to rush your vertially dead child to hospital for treatment and spend every moment when they are not with you worrying if the same will occur again. This is a real issue and it seems for a journalist you don't really do much research. That article was a big call on your behalf and I'm very certain you will not get the pat on the back you were after, but hopefully a kick out the door...
Thanks Lousie for speaking out for us,
Natalie Hallam, Australis
Submitted by: E.. Blatsby
4:04 PM PST, January 9, 2009
It did get on! :) Just thought you should know. Thank yor for forwarding a link to this horrible man's writing. I found it interesting and anoying. But I left a coment to. I invited him to come and live a day in the life of my son who is airborn allergic to peanuts.
You are a certified dumbass. You have to take my word that I am a middle-class conservative that people who know me would call will call anything but a yuppie. And I can tell you that when my 13 month old son went into anaphylactic shock after eating a peanut-butter cracker it was totally unexpected to my wife and I, as neither of us have any allergies to food to medications. The last thing I was thinking was about getting attention but getting his airway open again. I HAVE been agonizing since that day over the problems, taunting, harassment, etc. that he will have to endure throughout his childhood. I HAVE been agonizing over the friction that this has caused with my extended family as we have tried to explain the danger of having peanut butter candy included in the dessert at Thanksgiving dinner, after we caught our now almost 3 year old reaching for one. I HAVE agonized over the inevitable visits to the ERs that are coming sooner or later, and the potential stroke that the Epinephrine injection can cause when it will be needed.
But thanks for off handedly discounting those issues with an ignorant and flippant use of faulty straw-man logic to make your point. I can rest much easier now, knowing that I was really just overreacting so that I could get some attention.
Have you ever stopped to consider that there is a downside to your mistakes? That you may even make a mistake in your opinions because you are ill-informed on a topic? That ideas have consequences?
Don’t bother replying, not that I think you would stoop to. I’m not interested in hearing the “I wasn’t talking about children that really have that problem” that I’m sure is coming, since you clearly don’t get it, and don’t want to be bothered trying to think through it.
BTW: “which I read in between my perusal of Classical Philology and the IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics” - are you kidding me? Do you really think that anyone believes you? Or even cares? You have some real issues.
Thanks for taking a stand for everyone with allergies & the parents of children with allergies.
Anonymous: Your post made me LOL!
That was great! I love the title "dumbass" it works, every time and in this case the phrase fits like a glove.
It will be so interesting to see what the fall out is over this.
I think Stein is so bad, it's good -- For us. You know, like how Bush was so bad he was good for democrats, because by the end of 8 years even die hard republicans despised him. So, hey? If there's a silver lining to this "dumbass" let's see it!
Thanks again -- everyone -- for posting.
Thank you for your response. God bless hon!
Katie
Mom of Elise
Mr. Stein,
Are you kidding me??? Did you check your facts?? How dare you mock something as serious as food allergies. The number is on the rise and we're not talking about a rash or a couple of little hives. We're talking about anayphylaxis/anaphylactic shock. My daughter nearly died at age 3 just from putting a pastry which contained a trace amount of tree nuts to her lips. She didn't even ingest the food. Within an hour, she was covered from head to toe in hives, was coughing uncontrollably, her wheezing was so bad it could be heard across a large waiting room in the ER. I could feel the strong vibrations on her chest from it. She was so apparantly ill just by sound, a triage nurse came out of her office, into the waiting room to ask who was coughing. She took 1 look at my daughter, whisked her up and called for immediate assistance indicating that the child was quickly going into anaphylactic shock. Allergic reactions can be generated from contact and can also be airborne. With allergic children being so sensitive, do you really think it's wise to reintroduce allergens such as peanut butter into the schools? I think not. This can indeed be a matter of life and death. There was a case in the neighboring school district where a non-allergic child was eating PB&J (her ignorant mother sent it in) in the same cafeteria with an allergic child. They were on opposite ends of the room, the allergic child broke out in hives. This child was sent by ambulance to the ER. Luckily there was not an anaphylactic episode. It may have been caught in time as Benadryl and Epinephrine are kept in the health office for these kids. There's also the possibility that anaphylaxis may not have occured. Allergic children flying in airplanes are especially at risk. Opening packets of peanuts release the proteins into the air (that's what you smell) this and the circulated air is a recipe for disaster with no where to go. Let me ask you M r. Stein, would you want to find out if anaphylaxis were to occur if it were your child? Would you want to see your child gasping for air, turning more and more pale with each breath? Would you want to see your child come close to the brink of death?????? I don't think so. So why encourage the public to keep eating their allergens in front of these children???? I live on Long Island which is probably the biggest melting pot in this country. The problem is widespread to low income, minority areas as well areas as you referred to as "Yuppiedom" I know children who have serious reactions to certain foods from all walks of life. Food allergies are non-discriminating in this country. It's unfair to point out that Brittish kids have more food allergies than Israeli kids. These are 2 different cultures and food is handled and processed differently. It is firmly believed that because of all the preservatives in our food, and the roasting of nuts brings out allergens that the immune systems of this generation of children cannot battle.
I am thrilled to inform you that my daughter's school district has stood up and done the right thing. As of this school year, PB&J was removed from the lunch menu and parents are being asked to abstain from sending in this product. Still as a precaution (for the ignorant ones) the allergic children still sit at a nut-free table. It's sad though because my daughter would rather sit with her class. She is made to feel different and believe me, my heart breaks for her. I would not put her through this if it weren't detremental to her health. It's too bad that ignorance such as yours still exists. My there are 313 kids in my daughter's school, 25 of them have severe food allergies, that's 25 kids that could die if exposed to PB&J. Anaphylaxis, hives, and bloodwork with numbers off the charts don't lie Mr. Stein. Did you know that any person who experiences anaphylaxis as part of their medical symptoms is technically considered disabled under the Americans with Disabilities Act? I find your mocking of food allergies not only rude and ignornat but discriminatory. THAT is a big no, no in todays society. A little compassion would be appreciated for these kids, they have it tough enough just trying to be normal kids for them to be reminded how different they are and how cruel people can be.
Next time, try speaking with real people and listen to their experiences. A child advocacy group for children with food allergies would be a good place to start. If you have any kids of your own, the next time you look into their faces, thank whomever it is you pray to that yours do not have to endure this lifelong, life threatening condition. Perhaps you'll feel more compassionate for others. Perhaps you can use your position to do some good, spread awareness.
Andrea Gebler
There is comfort in knowing we are not alone and we aren't crazy. My daughter was diagnosed after ingesting peanuts in a tiny microscopic amount when she was two and again when she was five. When you see your child almost die, you fight for peanut free lunches.
Again, thanks for your post and link. He should point his frustration at the toxic world we live in which might be the underlying cause for many of these allergies, not us parents. -Lori
Thank you for posting this blog and bringing this article to my attention. I personally feel that Mr. Stein should have to print a retraction as well as publicly apologize to each and every man, woman and child that deals with food allergies or who has lost someone to food allergies.
He's a cold hearted snake.
I so appreciate your comment, here.
Everyone's been so great -- I've been getting the most amazing letters from this, too.
What he's said, and in effect, what he's done is opened the door for those of us who have had to suffer so much fear, eye-rolling, sadness -- He's ripped the bandage off this wound for us.
So, I'm waiting to see what happens next.
Will certainly keep you posted.
Thanks again for your support!
Louise
Joel Stein has a personal email address:
I invite anyone to write to Joel Stein at:
thejoelstein@yahoo.com
We should be sure to let him know what we think of any journalist working for Los Angeles Times making a living off of material as factually sloppy and with a tone as smarmy and catty as his was.
WRITE JOEL!
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Thanks
I appreciate your supportive words from another knowing mom-in-the-trenches.
:0)
Louise
I always tried really hard to make sure I didn't expect others to turn their world upside down over my kid's issues. I really tried to make every change as fair as possible, because it is a pain for other parents/kids to deal with this, and it's not their issue and I felt like I had a responsibility to represent "allergy kids" really well.
It makes me really mad when some allergy parents bombard others with their requests and it makes me cringe to see that. It's so hard to strike the right balance, but I try to.