Gabriel Martin Memorial Annual Scholarship

As someone with tree nut and outdoor allergies, my medical conditions have significantly affected my life. I need to be extremely cautious about the food I eat and the environment I am in to avoid any allergic reactions. Eating at restaurants or attending social events can be challenging as I need to make sure that there is no cross-contamination with tree nuts. Going on outdoor activities like hiking, camping, or picnicking can also be risky as I am exposed to pollen and other allergens that could trigger my allergies and asthma. Living with these allergies can be stressful and limiting, but I try my best to manage them through medication and avoidance of allergens. It has taught me to be more mindful of what I eat, the products I use, and the environment I am in. My personal experience with allergies has motivated me to pursue a career in research, with the goal of finding more effective treatments for people with allergies. I believe that there is much to be learned about the underlying mechanisms of allergies and how they can be managed more effectively. In the future, I hope to develop innovative treatments that can improve the quality of life for individuals with allergies. With the increasing prevalence of allergies, I believe that there is a great need for research in this area, and I am committed to making a positive impact in the lives of those affected by allergies. In my last visit to the allergist, I asked him what the cause behind allergies is. He started by informing me that everyone is born with Immunoglobulin G, more commonly known as IgG, an antibody that combats bacterial or viral infections by providing long-term protection against the infection. People with allergies are born with an extra immunoglobulin called IgE, or Immunoglobulin E. These are antibodies that cause the immune system to combat a foreign allergen, like tree nuts, by producing IgE. The IgE then releases chemicals in cells that cause allergic reactions whether that be in the form of severe hives or closing one’s airwaves (American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology). With this knowledge, my ultimate goal would be to create a one-time, inexpensive pill or shot that prevents IgE production without shutting down IgG production and other antibodies that fight infectious diseases. I would use all available resources, conduct numerous clinical trials, and work with many brilliant minds who are greatly experienced in this field. This is a cause and research program that will expand my academic self and is greatly significant to me. I will increase my comprehension of the human’s immune system and antibodies while allowing me to develop my communication skills with fellow researchers and patients in clinical trials. This experience would allow me a taste of working in an aspect of the medical field to see if this is where I would want to dedicate and develop my skills.

I have struggled with allergies and asthma since I was 5 years old, I had very severe allergies that prevented me from doing the same things as many of my classmates. In elementary school, I would need to stay inside for recess during the fall and spring while all my friends went outside to play on the playground. At this young age, I didn't fully understand why I wasn't able to play with my friends it felt like I was being punished for something that wasn't even my fault. I started getting allergy shots when I was in the 3rd grade, during the first two years of this treatment I was required to get 2 sots in my arms twice a week. I felt so different than the rest of my classmates, during the first two years my allergies were only getting worse and I felt so powerless in this condition. Luckily after the third year, the treatment started to help I finally felt normal and I was able to play outside with my friends and engage in activities I was oreviousky missing out on. Unfortunately, it was during this time that my allergist noticed my asthma getting out of hand. I was in the 5th grade when this happened, I had just been getting my allergies under control and I was happy to play normally with the other students but my lungs had other thighs in mind. I began having severe asthma attacks during the physical education class. My allergist informed me that I suffered from exercise and allergy-induced asthma. Once again my doctor insisted that I try to stay inside during allergy seasons to not bring on my asthma attacks as well as refraining from strenuous exercise. I was so upset by this because I had just reached a place in my allergy treatment where I was able to play like a normal kid but once again I was reduced to sitting on the sidelines and observing my friends play with each other and have fun. I was prescribed an asthma inhaler that I had to use before any physical activity, I was finally able to play with the other students and I was so happy. To this day I still receive allergy shots and use my inhaler prior to any strenuous physical activity. I am lucky that I had the opportunity to receive treatment for these conditions. I intend on using my experience as motivation to work hard and reach my goals. I hope to graduate college with a bachelor's degree in biomedical engineering and pursue an education in dental school. Using the opportunities that I have been granted I will use my education to open my dental practice and help people find confidence in their smiles.

I have only woken up in a hospital once in my life, and it was one of the most terrifying experiences I ever had. I felt no physical pain when I awoke, and the oxygen mask on my face fed my pure, blessedly clean air. However, the pain I felt in my heart when I saw my parents’ frightened and exhausted faces overlooking me is one I will never forget. That was the day of my first asthma attack. I am diagnosed with asthma and also struggle with seasonal allergies and sickness. Let me say this, it is not easy going through life with mucus-filled lungs and constantly irritated sinuses, but I have managed to do it anyways. It took almost ten years for my asthma and allergies to finally be fully treated, but even though I have medicine to keep me stable, there are simply some things I cannot, and likely will never do. I cannot participate in sports, I cannot spend much time outdoors in the summer, I often have to wear facial coverings in the autumn, and paranoia is my closest friend whenever sickness strikes my area. When Covid 19 first struck, my health was threatened more than others, and my anxiety spiked during that time. And all of that is without mentioning the upwards of 600 dollars that are put towards the pills and inhalers I will likely be taking for the rest of my days. Speaking of my future, however, it is not all doom and gloom. Ten years from now, I plan on being out of college with a master’s in Psychology. I have 27 college credits already completed, putting me a year ahead of other students. I plan to transition from college to a two-year internship, as that is needed to get the Kansas Psychology Licensure. I can either set up a practice or become a psychologist for an agency, a decision I will make later on. Ten years from now, I will be three to four years into having a position as a Clinical Psychologist, serving my community. That brings me to my last point. My career path will have a massive positive impact on my patients and the community around me. My philosophy is that it should never be understated how crucial psychology work is in keeping a community stable and emotionally well. Psychologists are in massive demand and as a result, they are needed nationwide. For example, my hometown of Haysville is severely lacking in psychologists, there being less than twenty available, and a decent number of them are completely booked or on the verge of retirement. America is lacking in therapy centers and widespread knowledge about mental health and the consequence is that every year, suicide numbers rise by the hundreds, if not thousands. I was in a situation like that myself, once upon a time, and I have always dedicated myself to helping others turn away from the noose after I overcame my struggles. The mental health crisis in America is an epidemic, for a set of diseases for which there is no vaccine, no one-stop cure that fixes everything in one sweeping motion like physical ailments can have. I know I can help, and that is what I intend to do, but it is something I can only do with your support. Despite all of the fierce battles I have had with my health over the years, I have no intention of letting my physical weaknesses temper my emotional strengths. Mental health is a medical condition that can be treated, just like mine were.

I have struggled with asthma from a very young age. I was in the hospital a lot and missed out on many younger experiences due to my asthma. Overtime my asthma has gotten more maintainable but it still causes complications. I get sick very easily which often means I have to work harder to stay caught up in my classes. Asthma has made me work through many challenges and made me a stronger person.

Allergy Induced Cough Variant Asthma. That diagnosis is why I’m passionate about pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering. Let me explain. It all started in 2nd grade, when my family moved out of city limits to a quaint little homestead with 2 acres of land for us to explore and cultivate. It was surrounded by farm fields of wheat, sugar beets and hay. Our family was living the dream! Until 1 month later when I came down with a horrible cough that I couldn’t shake. No cough syrup, cough drop or any medication prescribed by the doctor touched the intensity of the cough. I was disrupting classes and frequently sent home-I wasn't sick-just an unbearable cough. After 2 long months it finally dissipated. Much to my dismay the same thing happened again in the spring. This pattern continued through 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th grade. I went to the doctor each “episode” and always came back empty handed. “It must be something viral”, or “Hmmm, everything came back negative”. In the spring of 6th grade I was incorrectly diagnosed with Pertussis and required to stay home, missing an entire 6 weeks of school! Finally the 9th doctor I saw regarding this obnoxious cough diagnosed me correctly with Allergy Induced Cough Variant Asthma. My trigger was sugar beets. Which as mentioned earlier, was planted near our home and the sugar beet processing factory was 1.5 miles away. It was a major win to have a diagnosis but I didn’t know then what I know now, my medical battle journey wasn’t over. I began to take steroids, inhalers, and other asthma treatments. They helped tremendously, but the side effects of the medications began to affect me negatively. Being lightheaded, dizzy, shaky, and nauseous were common after my frequent treatments. Even my sleep was disrupted and I began to fall asleep in classes daily. This caused concern from my teachers and they reached out to my parents. Fortunately, I’ve developed a medicine routine that works for me and even though I still battle some of those side effects, they are more manageable. Over the course of the last 8 years, I’ve found myself wishing that there could be a change in how asthma was treated. Did you know that the treatment for asthma has pretty much been the same since the 1950’s? This fact along with my personal struggle has me fired up about developing new and better treatments for those who suffer from asthma. You’ve likely heard the quote, “Be the change you want to see in the world”. I plan to do just that. I am pursuing a degree in Chemical Engineering to gather as much knowledge as I can. With that knowledge my goal is to improve asthma diagnosis and treatments. I often hear people who have experienced COVID or pneumonia say not having full use of their lungs was terrifying. I understand this-I face this battle frequently-it is terrifying! I know the journey through engineering schooling will be difficult but I am determined to work hard, learn as much as I can, and help people, especially young scared children (like I was) to get a better, less uncomfortable way to treat their asthma! Thank you for your time in reading my essay.

The very first time I experienced an asthma attack I was at a family cookout and I thought it was anxiety. My mother rushed me home, and I felt embarrassed that everyone had seen me gasping for air and we did not know why. Countless Dr. visits later, we learned I needed to take a trip to our local pediatric pulmonologist. He had a four-month wait! We used the recommended course of treatment my pediatrician provided me and I was able to have some relief with my condition until we could get an expert opinion. Asthma, has a funny way of impacting your life even when you dont fully understand this as a child. From realizing that there is a massive need for medical specialization while you sit in an hours-long waiting room, to realizing that your prescription for the same inhaler that is supposed to be an emergency relief, will be charged exponentially higher depending on how they prescribe it. Watching your mom compare pricing for albuterol on apps like Good RX because its cheaper than your insurance opens up your eyes to how much this ailment takes its toll on your family and the funds they need to allocate towards healthcare. Emergency ER visits can keep your family grasping for funds to keep necessities like rent, water and electricity paid. I have a strong desire to study biomedical engineering with a focus on premed and later attend medical school. I live in a community where we urgently need specialists to come back and help our community. Although El Paso, TX has grown so much in many years, there is still a need for specialists in our area. I am not sure what I want to specialize in but my heart has always found working with children to be very fun and fulfilling. I want to study and specialize in something where I can work with kids in my community as a provider. As children we are told things like "that should not hurt" or "if you calm down it will hurt less" by people who treat us and specialize in something they do not understand because they have not experienced it. The empathy I feel I would be able to provide would make me a better provider if I do end up specializing in pulmonology. I would also possibly pursue research as I have found that the summer research I completed with Project Ace in collaboration with my school, Canutillo High School was very enlightening. I have had the honor to present that research twice at the Biomedical Engineering Society conference. My research in Nuclear Deformation of Inkjet-Bioprinted Human Dermal Fibroblasts the last two summers has allowed me to see the side of science we do not normally get to see. I hope that with your scholarship, my medical needs will be something I do not have to worry about while I pursue my career in medicine and STEM. Thank you for your consideration!

I was diagnosed with Dermatographia at the age of Four. It was discovered that I had it by my allergist. At the age of 1, my parents found out I had a peanut allergy due to an allergic reaction to peanut butter. Over the next several years, I had to carry a bag everywhere. Inside the bag were two sets of Epi-Pens, allergy medicines, and an emergency paper with instructions. I remember my mom at the grocery store reading everything she picked up. When I was about four, the neighbor boy came over to play. We were playing outside on my front porch. He went home and came back with some Cracker Jacks. Not knowing they had peanuts, I ate some. My mom saw it and ran to get my bag, gave me allergy medicine right away, and waited with the Epi-Pen in hand in case my airway started to shut. Time passed, and I was fine. Nothing happened to me. My mom called the doctor, and they thought it would be a good idea to have an allergy test done. After the test, my mom received a call saying my peanut allergy came back at zero and to schedule with my allergist. The allergist wanted to do a scratch test on my back to confirm any allergies I had or may have outgrown. The nurse scrubbed down my back and wrote numbers on it. Just as she began putting drops of oils on my back, my entire back flared up in raised welts. The doctor wanted to know which ones the nurse had scratched. When she said none, he knew. I had Dermatographia. Injuries and trauma to my skin in the slightest will make my skin break out in large red welts. Because of this, I couldn't complete the scratch test. Everything would show positive just from the prick of the skin. To test my peanut allergy, I had to do a food sensitivity test. Luckily, I did grow out of my peanut allergy. As I got older, kids noticed my skin condition. Anytime I fell in the grass, my legs would look like they had red lashes all over them. When I became involved in sports, it would get embarrassing at times. Any trauma to my skin showed in an exaggerated flare. My skin is extremely sensitive, and it makes me self-conscious at times. I have only met one other person with the same skin condition as me. I try my best to take care of my skin, which seems to help. As for my future, I always knew I would be involved in the medical field somehow. I plan to become a Biomedical Engineer. I want to be a part of creating, even inventing, medical technology and prosthetics that can help people and better their lives.

My medical conditions have affected my life by not being able to do the same type of things as other kids and it being harder to keep up with everyone which made me feel left out when I was younger. Asthma has always been a big part of my life and it has always affect something, someday it was small and others it was bigger. But I learned to persevere through the challenge that came with it. To start off with background I got asthma from when i had a respiratory disease as a child called RSV, this caused me to have to go in and out of many different hospitals frequently, which also meant missing school quite a few times to go on these trips to the doctor which put be back a little bit in Elementary School but I worked myself back up again for Middle and High School, like taking more harder class in High School. Asthma also affected my ability to do physical activities, as well as the other kids, like in gym class it was harder for me to keep up with what we’re doing without getting winded super easily. I had to really work hard on my stamina and breathing techniques to be able to keep up with the other kids. when I got a little older, I received an inhaler which helped me be able to control my breathing and help me breathe better when doing a lot of physical activity. this also helped my stamina when it came to dance classes, dance has always been a big part of my life, and has helped me find ways in controlling my asthma. it helped me control my breathing when I did lots of fast movement and my teachers help me know when I needed a break because at some point, I didn’t know when I needed to stop to take breaks so they would tell me and I would learn from them where my limit was, but then as I got older, I grew my stamina up more so I didn’t have to take as many breaks and I could go longer. with my inhaler and different techniques, I learned to control my breathing. My asthma has gotten much better as I’ve got an order. My goals for the future is to become a respiratory therapist. I want to help kids who are in the same position as I was, and help the parents and families understand what’s going on, because my family was also once in their position as well and having someone who has had a similar experience or the same experience will help them find comfort and what is going on and knowing that it’s going to be okay. Even though what they’re going through is scary I want them to know that they are not alone and that I will be with them through every step of the way. I believe as much as you need to know all of your medical terminology and know everything medically when it comes to RSV you also need to know how the patient and the patient’s family is feeling during this time. Because of my experience I think I would be really good person to help them find comfort and what is going on even though what I went through and what this child is going through maybe different I still have a understanding of how everyone in the situation is feeling. With all of this information from above I truly hope you consider me for this scholarship. Thank you.

Welcome to my world, hi my name is Devin Spates and I suffer from seasonal asthma, eczema and I'm allergic to eggs. Growing up with one condition is bad enough but when you add all three together its not so fun. My days used to consist of my mom getting up to give me a oatmeal bath and putting non scented lotion and prescription ointment all over my body. She would make sure it was on me at all times but I still had severe breakouts. Summerss for eczema was bad but winters were the worst. There were days that my skin behind my knees would crack so bad that my mother had to carry me. I could not do alot of things that other kids could do like swimming because of eczema and the cracking of my skin. Getting into a pool was torture so I would just watch from the side line. To use any kind of soap that was scented was a no go as well because it would break me out further. No bubble baths no lotions. Seasonal asthma hit me hard every year mainly around the time when fall and winter collided. My asthma would be so bad that I would have to go to the hospital to have breathing treatments and sometimes they would put me in the hospital because my oxgen would be to low which really sucked because all my friends would be out playing and having fun playing football and here I was stuck in the hospital. I always had to be careful not to over do it physically but I was a boy not understanding why I had to sit out of something's while my friends didnt. The older I got and the more hospital stays I had to indure I started understanding I wasn't like other normal kids and needed to just learn to deal with it. I used to watch my family eat eggs for breakfast and I wanted some so bad but when you're allergic to eggs to the point that they can kill you, you figure it's just not worth it. There are alot of different items that are made with eggs like Ranch dressing. Alot of people don't know that some of the dressings they put on their salads or mayo that is used on a sandwich is made with eggs. Staying the night at other kid's house's and trying to explain to the parents what you can and cannot eat gets to be exhausting so unless it was one of my best friends that parents already knew what I could and couldn't eat my mom would just send my food she cooked with me. I've outgrown my eczema, and my asthma is not as bad it's a lot easier but I'll always be allergic to eggs that will never change. Growing up with thes disadvantages holding you back you learn to humble yourself, learn that despite your handicaps you can still achieve everything you put your mind to . I played basketball as a point gaurd for both middle and high school varsity as well as football varsity . I still have all three issues today even though there not as severe as the used to be they still cause problems every now and then. I still am allergic and always will be allergic to eggs, and I just learned that any kind of nuts might end up being a problem in the future so my mother has made an appointment for me to get tested because I keep breaking out after eating them.

For as long as I can remember, I have struggled with mental health issues. Living with mental illnesses is hard while being in school because you lose motivation to do work or even talk to people. Going to school and get ready ready every morning was a struggle. Never wanting to get out of bed and make an effort to make myself presentable so people don’t worry. Looking into the mirror and not liking what you see was one of my main struggles, I constantly tried to change myself so I was happy with my reflection. Although, nothing never satisfied me, so I kept changing. I changed my style, my weight, my body movements, almost all of it. Struggling with mental health is not an easy life, yes some people overcome it and become happy and normal again but, what about the people who don’t? We still sit in silence, try to not let people notice, take the pills every morning and night, and all the other precautions. We do this so people don’t worry about us, so they don’t ask questions, or tell someone who we don’t even know. We hide behind a mask so no one knows what goes on behind closed doors. I have been asked if I would rather life without mental illnesses to see if life would be easier, and I answered no. See I’ve grown up this way, constantly overthinking and being cautious of my every move or word. This is a normal life for me. I wouldn’t want to change it at all. It’s a part of who I am and I’ve accepted that. I’m okay with suffering in silence and not showing what I’m feeling. This is normal to me and I believe I can help other people who are seeking it because I’ve been there. So in conclusion, mental illness is normal to me and I wouldn’t want to live in a world without it. I found comfort in the dark and I believe that other people can too. That sounds bad but what I mean is that we can find comfort in our issues to hopefully resolve them and be better then we once were. Help calm down during the panic attacks, fight the urges that remind us we’re alive, to not put the period on the paper and end the story. That’s the world I want to live in.

In 2009, my family uprooted themselves from the Windy City of Chicago to Palm Springs, Florida because the doctor told my mom that if I continued to live there, I would most likely have to spend the rest of my life in a hospital bed. As an asthmatic toddler with allergies, my life was not easy. The winter air would trigger my asthma, making it hard for me to breathe. As a young girl I tended to stay inside because I would get so sick from being outside. I also have severe allergies to peanuts, nuts, and eggs. This was not an easy concept to explain to my immigrant relatives, and I’ve had multiple reactions due to my family members not understanding the concept of what that means. I ended my fifth birthday party by having to board a Traumahawk to the hospital because my uncle brough chips made in peanut oil. The feeling of having my throat closing up is something I’ve only experienced four times, and it's something I never want to feel again. I was born with eczema, causing my skin, especially my hands, to become dry, itchy, and bumpy. Most children grow out of it by age 4; I’ve had it my entire life. When I was in elementary school, some of the kids used to call me “lizard skin” or “iguana hands” because of the scaly appearance. I would be so embarrassed of how my skin looked that I used to dress in all long sleeves in the blazing heat, just so I could hide my body from others. It’s interesting to see how different people react when they see the way my skin looks, because they usually don’t understand that it’s something that I have to deal with everyday. During the winter of my sophomore year, I had to get a biopsy because my doctor was concerned about the rapid-forming bald spots on my head. They thought I had some sort of cancer; the two weeks spent waiting for the results were the most stressed I’ve ever felt in my life. I was diagnosed with non-scarring alopecia, an incurable type of hair loss. Thankfully, I have the kind that allows my hair to regrow, but it has not been easy. It took countless doctors visits to figure out why I had this and the best way to treat it. I was determined to not make this condition the center of my life and was able to remain at the top of my class while doing hair laser treatments every other day. Although I’m what some might call a sick kid due to my various medical conditions, I’m proud of myself and my family for being able to remain positive and continue to thrive in life. My career goal is to be a pediatric speech pathologist to help prevent and treat communication and swallowing disorders in children. My younger brother has a severe stutter and has been to speech therapy ever since he was three, and he has made tremendous improvement thanks to his amazing teachers. I know firsthand the importance of being able to voice what you’re feeling, and I want to help those who struggle with that. The ability to speak is a crucial part of living and I want to advocate for those who can’t.

When you think of a teenager what do you think of? I think of someone who goes to school, goes to a part-time job, drives around like crazy because we can, or anything you've seen on a high school musical movie. November 21, 2021, in the middle of my senior year, a headache took all of that sense of normal away. I had a headache come on fast and suddenly. I was found on the ground of my parents' room conscious, talking crazy, and pale. I was taken in an ambulance to St. Dominic's hospital where all of that was ruled as a UTI and sent home. Two days later I was taken back to the hospital for an asymptomatic stroke on my right side. This episode took my strong walking strides, left an unsteady hand, and the feeling of my right leg away. This visit was ruled as stress and I was sent home. December was full of hospitals, tests, and loads of uncertainty. Before this month was over I had 3 MRIs, 2 CT scans, waiting for an EEG, a spinal tap, and loads of blood work done. By the end of this month, I was left barely walking, shaky, exhausted, and completely hopeless. Into the new year at the beginning of January, I woke up to a morning full of seizures and for someone who has never experienced this, it was terrifying. I had 11 between that morning, traveling to the hospital, and while I was there. I was told they couldn't do much, gave me medicine, and I was sent home. After this, we had many more neurology appointments. This was in all else hopeless. We finally decided to stop with neurologist around Mississippi and wait to see if we could get into Mayo. February 5th we got a call that we were going to Mayo. We spent the next two weeks praying and preparing ourselves for whatever was going to happen. February 14th we said see you later to friends and family and left for Mayo. On the first day of walking into the clinic, we walked back out with a diagnosis. I was diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder. This is a disorder that has the same symptoms and such as MS, Parkinson's, epilepsy, and many other diseases but FND does not have the damage the actual disorders have. The next step was what do we do to get me better? We searched and found Birmingham Functional Neurology. I started treatment with Dr. Arreta on March 7th. Since then my pain has gone down and my walking has improved but there is still such a long road ahead. This medical journey has made me realize how big my passion for nursing is and has fulled it even more. I do not want anyone to feel the way I have felt. My goals are to attend Hinds Community College and start my prerequisites for nursing then transfer to UAB or Southern Miss and start Nursing school. After I would like to become a pediatric travel nurse then start to build a medical clinic out of the country. This scholarship would help my family tremendously because my parents aren't able to work as much due to travel and doctors. Then also the cost of everything has taken a toll on our family. This would make me feel like I could take some stress off my parents' shoulders about one less thing.

My New Life with a Food Allergy by Kayla Jennings Until 10 months ago, I was a teenager with no worries other than your usual teenager drama. I went through life every day with no idea that my life would change due an allergy. I loved peanuts, boiled peanuts, peanut butter, pistachios, Nutella and so much more. I had the privilege of eating my mom’s boiled peanuts every year that were those big ones. I ate a peanut butter and jelly sandwich almost every day for school lunch with peanut butter and apples as a snack before softball. I have had gastrointestinal reflux for several years and never thought anything of it. I did notice that I was having reflux attacks way more frequently and would even go to my teacher’s room for tums during the day. At the beginning of last summer, I started noticing that my throat would get real scratchy after I ate peanuts and even told my mother than I felt like my throat was closing. Of course, she said stop eating them! My mother or I never even thought about a food allergy. So, I went for my yearly check-up with my pediatrician in June of 2021. My mother mentioned the constant reflux to the doctor and then I mentioned how I felt when I ate the peanuts. Thankfully, the doctor said, we may actually be looking at a peanut allergy instead of reflux. My mother and I never imagined that I would be allergic to peanuts since there is no one in our family that has food allergies. Little did I know that my life would change two days later with one phone call. Not only was I allergic to peanuts which was the highest, but I was also allergic to four other tree nuts as well. It may seem little to just be allergic to some nuts, but it was a life changer for me. I could not eat another peanut butter and jelly sandwich again, I could not eat my mother’s boiled peanuts again, apples were not the same anymore, and pistachios by the pool were gone. Not only that, but who doesn’t love Chick-fil-A! That was actually my first question when my mother got the call, can I eat Chick-fil-A because I knew they used peanut oil. Once we received that phone call, my life was changed. I was called in an EpiPen that I had to practice at home how to use and even made my friend practice in case I was unable to do it. So now, I carry one with me and my mother also carries one in her purse since she is at all of my softball games and other events. My goal for the future is to not let the allergy rule my life, but learn to live with it. I do know that I have to be conscience of what I eat, always read labels, remember to ask when I go to new places what they cook with, and if the food I want contains any nuts. I have even thought about getting a Golden Retriever as a service dog so that when I go to college, I will have a sidekick that can alert others if I started having a reaction. This would also be a constant reminder of my allergy so that I do not get complacent or careless. I am so thankful that I did have 16 years without the worry of a food allergy, because I know that some people are not so fortunate.