Finding out that our little man-cub has multiple, severe food allergies was jarring. On the more immediate level, I struggled to find out how I could safely feed him, beyond his Mama’s milk which was going to be as allergen-free as he would need. Allergen-free flours, ideally local and organic. Spices uncontaminated with sesame (which is often processed on the same lines). A non-dairy, non-coconut, non-nut, non-soy milk to make smoothies and sauces and Indian dishes in the slow cooker. Bread. Cookies?

Oh my.

In time now, we have found some wonderful rhythms, systems and supplies, and things are beginning to feel rather normal around here.

On a deeper level, as I contemplate his allergies, I wonder about the whole wide world. As no doubt so many of you with children with allergies have wondered. He fits so neatly into my arms now, and snuggles in for his milk and books. What about when he is older and more independent – how will I keep him safe?

These days, I am full of hope. We have found a tremendous healer, here in Ottawa, who seems to have helped so much in only a few months. As we travel down a path of healing formed in alopathic, naturopathic and traditional Chinese medicine, we are buoyed by his progress and are slowly learning to trust that his body will heal if we help it, if we let it. We are seeking out the knowledge and experience we can in immune system healing – an area of medicine that the world is only now beginning to unwrap the mysteries of.

One of the hardest things is fighting the fear, the fear of him getting hurt or sick or truly being jeopardized by something as simple as food. Or a cat. Finding ways to integrate into our community, our friends’ homes and even thinking about how we might travel – these have all been challenging to say the least.

But I am filled with hope. And when I look at his sweet face I am reminded of how much he has already taught us – about gratitude, courage and resourcefulness. And about love.

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