Sometimes, with allergies, it can feel like the whole world is against me. I never gave this much thought before I found out about my allergies, but people often use food as rewards, incentives, treats, celebrations, and my sudden exclusion from that part of life has really hit me hard. Whether it's a recent Facebook conversation I had with a friend (who I haven't seen in a while and who doesn't now about my allergies) where she suggested we go out for coffee to catch up (I agreed...I mean, I really do want to see her, and I can always drink water, right?), to here at school where a group I've joined suggests a social evening of "make-you-own-pizzas" (I'm going...I can't cut myself off from social events just because I can't wholly participate). At the fast food restaurant that I work at, one of my coworkers is always complaining before she goes on her break, "I don't know what I should eat...this sucks." I restrained myself from screaming, "At least you get options! You get to frickin' choose! At least you don't have to say, 'There's nothing I can eat...this sucks.' 'Cause it does."
Sometimes just small things can set me off inwardly grumbling. The mention that a course program that I'm in is going to having a movie night (Yay!), and guess what, folks? There's going to be pizza! (Ughhhhh....) This culture of using food as a means for a social gathering, or as an incentive or treat is not going to go away, and it often feels hurtful and unfair, like people are purposefully taunting me with forbidden foods. But I think I need to learn that THIS IS NOT PERSONAL! I probably did the same thing to people with allergies before I knew about mine and made them feel miserable and excluded sometimes, without ever realizing it.
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