This is Nancy's Tale
"From the time he was 9 months old, I knew that my son, Sinclair, had a peanut allergy because he was taken to the emergency room at that early age with severe reactions. Then, in the summer of 2006, my son almost died on a trip to our home in California from Louisiana. While confined to the close quarters of an airplane cabin, Sinclair came in contact with a peanut product, possibly in the form of peanut dust in the air or a residue left on a seat – I don’t know.
An ambulance took him from the airport to emergency at Baylor Medical Center where he was given shots and breathing treatments until the hives were gone and his breathing was normalized and then he was given the OK to fly, reaching California that night.
The next morning, he had hives again. I called 911 and grabbed the epi pen, and the ambulance took him to the ER, which prescribed oral steroid and Benadryl. That night, 24 hours from his first reaction and 8 hours from his second, Sinclair said, "momma, I have hives". By the time we arrived at the ER, Sinclair was unrecognizable and was lying on a cart being given a shot in his stomach. We learned in a way that is indelible that anaphylactic shock is entirely unpredictable as far as whether you live or die.
I have followed advice about traveling on airlines, except airline personnel can be insensitive, dismissive and downright discriminatory when I ask to do things to protect my child.One airline treated me so shabbily, that I complained to the Department of Transportation (DOT), which shockingly said that all the airline had to do was transport us. I believe we were victims of discrimination. Discrimination in the context of having a child with a recognized disability who was not provided a reasonable accommodation related to that disability. I was very disappointed that the DOT was unwilling to acknowledge that reality or take any action against the airlines that might have been helpful.
I have since learned that Congress has threatened the DOT with defunding if it forces airlines to provide reasonable accommodation to airline passengers with severe peanut allergies."
Please sign this petition so that Sinclair and other like him will not have to spend a lifetime always only one indifference away from having his life jeopardized.
For Nancy's full story, see the Blog for Nancy's Tale - The Full Story of Sinclair's Peanut Allergy Challenges and Airline Discrimination.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
May 10, 2011
May 7, 2011
We are approaching the 500 signature threshold required to gain official standing with the aviation oversight committee. Please direct this link to five people in your professional network today so we can finalize our submission packet.
April 27, 2011
I have spent the last week drafting a formal letter to the major airline carriers detailing the necessity of peanut-free protocol. They have yet to respond to our official inquiry but their silence only reinforces the need for continued pressure. A meeting with a representative from the aviation oversight board is currently in the works.
April 27, 2011
Reaching this current level of support signals that the aviation industry can no longer ignore the safety requirements of allergic passengers. I have scheduled a briefing with the Department of Transportation to present these concerns formally. We are now moving toward a direct review of existing cabin safety protocols.
Reached 100 supporters
April 1, 2011
24 Comments
A food allergy is a disability. The person has NO choice how their body responds to food. Serving peanuts on a flight isn't a requirement but a treat. There are many different options instead like fruit and/or veggies.
I sign for my daughter, who has a severe contact allergy to peanuts and tree nuts. Just a trace of the oil residue left on fingers that touch the seat trays, the arm rests, the bathroom doors, etc. could be enough to kill my child. Peanuts are NOT a necessity..... ban them, it's a relatively simple and pragmatic idea considering... wouldn't you agree?
People with life threatening allergies should be able to fly worry free without fear of anaphylaxis/ death. People can enjoy peanuts in their own homes, where it is not a life or death situation for someone else in an enclosed space with no access to medical care. Please protect the vulnerable!
Flying is always so scary for my family. Not only do we have to worry about peanuts, but now we are worried that we will be asked off a plane!
Two of my kids have peanut allergies. It is not reasonable to expect a percentage of the population to stop flying, whether for business or personal reasons. It is reasonable to ask people and flight crews to forego peanuts for a flight. And to stop serving them entirely.
Agree airline behavior is systematically discriminatory and we are now afraid to ask for help
Please include tree nuts too.
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This is Nancy's Tale
"From the time he was 9 months old, I knew that my son, Sinclair, had a peanut allergy because he was taken to the emergency room at that early age with severe reactions. Then, in the summer of 2006, my son almost died on a trip to our home in California from Louisiana. While confined to the close quarters of an airplane cabin, Sinclair came in contact with a peanut product, possibly in the form of peanut dust in the air or a residue left on a seat – I don’t know.
An ambulance took him from the airport to emergency at Baylor Medical Center where he was given shots and breathing treatments until the hives were gone and his breathing was normalized and then he was given the OK to fly, reaching California that night.
The next morning, he had hives again. I called 911 and grabbed the epi pen, and the ambulance took him to the ER, which prescribed oral steroid and Benadryl. That night, 24 hours from his first reaction and 8 hours from his second, Sinclair said, "momma, I have hives". By the time we arrived at the ER, Sinclair was unrecognizable and was lying on a cart being given a shot in his stomach. We learned in a way that is indelible that anaphylactic shock is entirely unpredictable as far as whether you live or die.
I have followed advice about traveling on airlines, except airline personnel can be insensitive, dismissive and downright discriminatory when I ask to do things to protect my child.One airline treated me so shabbily, that I complained to the Department of Transportation (DOT), which shockingly said that all the airline had to do was transport us. I believe we were victims of discrimination. Discrimination in the context of having a child with a recognized disability who was not provided a reasonable accommodation related to that disability. I was very disappointed that the DOT was unwilling to acknowledge that reality or take any action against the airlines that might have been helpful.
I have since learned that Congress has threatened the DOT with defunding if it forces airlines to provide reasonable accommodation to airline passengers with severe peanut allergies."
Please sign this petition so that Sinclair and other like him will not have to spend a lifetime always only one indifference away from having his life jeopardized.
For Nancy's full story, see the Blog for Nancy's Tale - The Full Story of Sinclair's Peanut Allergy Challenges and Airline Discrimination.
Updates
Reached 500 supporters
May 10, 2011
May 7, 2011
We are approaching the 500 signature threshold required to gain official standing with the aviation oversight committee. Please direct this link to five people in your professional network today so we can finalize our submission packet.
April 27, 2011
I have spent the last week drafting a formal letter to the major airline carriers detailing the necessity of peanut-free protocol. They have yet to respond to our official inquiry but their silence only reinforces the need for continued pressure. A meeting with a representative from the aviation oversight board is currently in the works.
April 27, 2011
Reaching this current level of support signals that the aviation industry can no longer ignore the safety requirements of allergic passengers. I have scheduled a briefing with the Department of Transportation to present these concerns formally. We are now moving toward a direct review of existing cabin safety protocols.
Reached 100 supporters
April 1, 2011
24 Comments
The safety and inclusion of passengers, many of them children, should never be compromised due to a hidden disability beyond their control such as a life threatening food allergy. There are simple precautions that can be followed that can help eliminate risks rather than to discriminate and exclude.
A food allergy is a disability. The person has NO choice how their body responds to food. Serving peanuts on a flight isn't a requirement but a treat. There are many different options instead like fruit and/or veggies.
I sign for my daughter, who has a severe contact allergy to peanuts and tree nuts. Just a trace of the oil residue left on fingers that touch the seat trays, the arm rests, the bathroom doors, etc. could be enough to kill my child. Peanuts are NOT a necessity..... ban them, it's a relatively simple and pragmatic idea considering... wouldn't you agree?
People with life threatening allergies should be able to fly worry free without fear of anaphylaxis/ death. People can enjoy peanuts in their own homes, where it is not a life or death situation for someone else in an enclosed space with no access to medical care. Please protect the vulnerable!
Flying is always so scary for my family. Not only do we have to worry about peanuts, but now we are worried that we will be asked off a plane!
Two of my kids have peanut allergies. It is not reasonable to expect a percentage of the population to stop flying, whether for business or personal reasons. It is reasonable to ask people and flight crews to forego peanuts for a flight. And to stop serving them entirely.
Agree airline behavior is systematically discriminatory and we are now afraid to ask for help
Please include tree nuts too.
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The safety and inclusion of passengers, many of them children, should never be compromised due to a hidden disability beyond their control such as a life threatening food allergy. There are simple precautions that can be followed that can help eliminate risks rather than to discriminate and exclude.