THE DAY EVERYTHING CHANGED: CHARLIE’S FIRST ANAPHYLACTIC REACTION

Before Charlie’s Safe Treat Box existed, before allergy advocacy, before allergy-friendly treat bags and safer snack options, there was a single moment that changed our family forever.

Charlie’s first anaphylaxis reaction.

At the time, Charlie had just turned three. I was still learning how to live with food allergies, still questioning myself, still wondering if I was being too careful or overreacting.

What gave me the confidence to act that day was not instinct alone.

It was the stories I had read from other allergy parents.

Their lived experiences gave me clarity when fear and doubt could have taken over.

The Power of Shared Stories

On 1 May 2015, after everything had settled and Charlie was safe, I wrote a private message to the Anaphylaxis Network Australia Facebook page to thank Joanne for the stories and information they shared with the allergy community.

I am sharing that message here exactly as it was written. It captures the fear, the uncertainty, and the moment when education and community helped me make the right decision for my child.

Nothing in the message below has been changed.

Message Sent To Anaphylaxis Network Australia - 1 May 2015

(Shared unchanged)

I just wanted to say thank you for the stories and information you share on this site.

My little boy (just turned 3 on Sunday) had his first major reaction to dairy a couple of weeks ago. He had accidentally eaten food containing dairy at daycare. He reacted 1 1/2 hours later when at home with me which started with a sore tummy and a cough then quickly escalated into wheezing, racing heart beat and hives.

A phone call to the centre quickly confirmed the afternoon snack had contained dairy.

In shock myself and at home alone with my son and crying 7 month old, I quickly pulled out his medication and action plan. I questioned myself if I was over reacting or if I should be giving him the epi pen.

This is when I recalled all the stories I have read on this page and knew it was better to give the epi pen than wait. I called 000 and ambulance arrived 15mins later.

Fortunately my son had improved by then and the ride to hospital in the ambulance was more relaxed (except for my crying 7 month old who was overtired and strapped to me in a baby carrier to allow us to go in ambulance). Plus my son thought it was great fun to ride in an ambulance by this stage.

The ambulance officers and Royal Children's Hospital staff were all great and kept confirming that I had done the right thing in giving epi pen.

The week after was dealing with the daycare centre and Department of Education and the emotions, doubt, anxiety and loss of trust that comes with such an event.

I would love to keep him at home wrapped in cotton wool until/if he grows out of his allergies. However I know we have further challenges of kindergarten and school ahead.

I became a lot more informed about day care centre requirements after speaking with Department of Education. Do you know if there is a checklist available with questions to ask, qualifications required, policies to have in place for daycare, kindergarten, school which help parents do their best to minimise risk of exposure to their allergens?

He has attended the daycare centre for 2 years with allergies to dairy, egg and nuts. However changes in ownership resulting in staff turnover including director, carers and kitchen staff lead to processes not being followed and increased risk.

It made me aware that I need to keep checking and asking questions all the time and would be great to have a checklist to refer to with questions/requirements.

Thank you once again. Your sharing of information gave me the ability to think clearly and push all the doubts aside (which I think were more wishful thinking that it was not happening).

From a very grateful mum!!

What I Didn’t Know Then

Reading this back now, more than a decade later, I can see how much was still ahead of us.

On that day, I didn’t know that four weeks later we would discover I was pregnant with Evelyn.

I didn’t know that Charlie would experience a second traumatic anaphylactic reaction four months later during a failed raw egg hospital challenge requiring an overnight stay in the hospital.

And I didn’t know that just four weeks after that, he would have a third anaphylactic reaction from an unknown source.

It was a season filled with fear, hyper vigilance, and constant learning. It was also the period that shaped how I view food safety, allergy risk, trust, and the importance of never becoming complacent.

Why I Share This Story

I share this story because food allergy families need to hear that doubt is normal. Fear is normal. Questioning yourself is normal.

But education and preparation save lives.

The stories shared by other parents gave me the confidence to act when it mattered most. That decision changed the outcome for my child.

This experience is one of the reasons Charlie’s Safe Treat Box exists today.

To create a safer space.
To support families living with food allergies.
And to ensure no one feels like they are navigating this allergy life alone.

If you are at the beginning of your food allergy journey, please know this:

You are never overreacting when it comes to food allergy safety.

With care and understanding,
Sharon, Allergy Mum & Allergy Advocate