I was inspired to write this post after watching a YouTube clip. Where a family with a six year old suffering from autoimmune disease went trick or treating and ensured their daughter enjoyed Halloween like and alongside her friends.
Autoimmune disease has left this little girl with intolerances to lots of foods especially gluten, wheat and dairy which most mainstream chocolate and sweets contain.
I have always tried to offer allergy-friendly treats so that children who do suffer with allergies, intolerances or chronic illnesses know they have at least one home they can visit and take a treat that won’t lead them to become poorly. Yet this family have come up with such an amazing idea which I wanted to share here with you as it may help or give the idea for next Halloween.
The family didn’t tell their daughter she couldn’t dress up and join her friends knocking on doors, adding sweet goods to her bucket. They went with her and her friends round the neighbour’s houses and filled their buckets. The little girl was made up, she had been with friends, laughed and got dressed up. Her parents even picked an outfit theme that was family based so they were all dressed up. She was told to leave her bucket by the front door overnight for the ‘witch’ to magically switch her candy for allergy-free goodies because the witches, like Santa and the Easter bunny know about her illness and requirements. She did as she was told and headed to bed.
Her parents switched the bucket and filled it to the brim with FreeFrom chocolate, sweets, lollipops and marshmallows. She woke up excited in the morning, like it was Christmas. She ran down the stairs to check the front door where she found a bucket full of goodies. Her Mum told her she could pick two treats to take as snack to school. Her face was made up and she looked up at the ceiling saying thank you to the witch.
It was truly lovely and heart warming to watch. It shows how even with little hurdles in our way we can still find a way to conquer them. Whether it means crawling under them rather than jumping - we still made it to the other side of the barrier!!
There are no set rules in life, who wants to be the same anyway? Maybe being chronically ill has its positives at times like these. It makes us think outside the box, do things our own way and maybe even add extra fun and enjoyment to events and occasions. Extra special touches always add more joy.
All my FreeFrom snacks went over the normal chocolate and sweets. It just goes to show that being different from the crowd can actually be refreshing and not only enjoyed more by yourself but by others too.
I hope this story has warmed your heart like it did mine and given you all an idea for next year’s Halloween if your child or children suffer from allergies, intolerances or a chronic illness.
Tomorrow, I want to focus on how to support a loved one who suffers with chronic illness. It’s very hard to know where to start as a friend and family memeber in the aid to help.
So I hope to offer some tips and advice.
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On the night of Halloween, my head pressure was bad and my joints were causing me great pain.
I left a note on the door for trick or treaters to help themselves. The stairs being too much for me but not wanting to let down the children.
I had gone to bed, zapped and overwhelmed with pain. Yet my friends wanted me to go and see them. I really didn’t think I could manage it and got upset but they made sure I had a wheelchair and didn’t walk. As I couldn’t have walked far. Being out really lifted my mood and it was only for an hour so nothing heavy or too much. My friends looked after me like the parents of the little girl did.
Having their support and understanding means so much as they can help ensure you enjoy events you didn’t think you could take part in or enjoy.
That’s why I hope to offer as much as advice as possible. As we all fight together.
Thank you for reading and look forward to the next post.
S
Xoxo
