Peter Rabbit, The New Bully For Those With Food Allergies
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Peter Rabbit, The New Bully For Those With Food Allergies

Beatrix Potter's Peter Rabbit is the international bully to those with food allergies.

321
Peter Rabbit, The New Bully For Those With Food Allergies
CNN

There are several things which circulate around in my head every time I leave my apartment: did I remember to unplug my flat iron, turn off my stove, lock my door, and did I pack my EpiPen? Out of everything listed above, the last is most important. Sure, if I burned down my apartment that would be a problem, but if my throat closed from eating one of my many allergens, I would be in even bigger, life-threatening trouble. One which would result in me either having to stab myself in the leg and administering epinephrine or being rushed to the hospital for medical treatment. Roughly, 15 million Americans have food allergies averaging out to 1 in every 13 people, and I am in that bracket.

A few weeks ago, posts began to circulate about everyone’s favorite rabbit, Peter Rabbit. The new children’s movie has a scene where furry little rabbits throw blackberries at one of the characters despite knowing he is allergic to them. The character is then shown using an EpiPen to counteract his reaction. Needless to say, parents of children with food allergies are not having it, using the hashtag #boycottpeterrabbit to voice their reactions. As someone who has life-threatening allergies, I can relate to the parent’s fears. Sony Pictures has released an apology, but the pressing issue on hand is that the movie depicts a very real issue that individuals with allergies deal with on a very daily basis. In fact, one in every three children with food allergies has reported being bullied because of their allergies.

There have been cases all over the country where children, teens, and even college students have been bullied for the allergies. For instance, a 12-year-old with a dairy allergy in Stockton Kansas had nacho cheese dip smeared on his face by some older kids. Luckily, he was okay, but taunts often accompany these attacks like “Let’s see if he dies” which adds to the anxiety experienced by these children. There was even a case where a college student pleaded guilty to assault and battery after hazing an unconscious student with peanut butter.

Allergies are not something to take lightly. Although I have suffered from them my entire life, it wasn’t until my freshman year of college that I went into anaphylaxis. I was out to dinner with my family when suddenly my throat began to get very tight and I felt a lump, the size of a gumball forming underneath my tongue. My heart began to race, and I started having a panic attack. I had gone through 18 years of my life without having this reaction. Too scared to use my EpiPen, I relied on Benadryl to relay the reaction. In retrospect, I should have used the epinephrine injector and know for future reference Benadryl is not good enough.

I want to encourage everyone to take the time to learn about food allergies and the severity of them. Every three minutes, someone is sent to the emergency room because of a food allergy reaction, roughly 200,000 people per year. When going out to eat, we are not trying to be annoying when asking the question, we genuinely need to make sure we are not consuming our allergen for the safety of our lives.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

51987
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

33405
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

956251
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

181166
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments