Resources
The One We Left Behind takes place in 1995, when food allergies were much less widespread than they are today. Presently, one out of thirteen kids is diagnosed with a food allergy—that’s about two per classroom. Since 1995, a great deal of research has been done and treatments, such as Oral Immunotherapy (OIT) are quite promising. But life with severe food allergies is still very dangerous and difficult emotionally, psychologically and physically.
Since food is everywhere, severe food allergies impact those affected every single day. Allergic children and their families live in constant fear as to what they are ingesting, touching, and who is touching them. It can be risky to travel, go to a restaurant, a playdate, a movie, a sports venue, or even to school.
To make matters worse, one out of every three children with food allergies gets bullied. Not only are allergic kids often met with irritation from those who feel inconvenienced by accommodations necessary to keep them safe (such as no peanut butter at school), they are viewed as outcasts, taunted, teased, and threatened. These reactions create feelings of anxiety, isolation and loneliness. The repercussions can be serious, even leading to death.
Information and Resources About Food Allergies and Bullying
LAW
Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA):
Asthma and allergies are usually considered disabilities under the ADA. https://www.ada.gov/
The Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 (FALCPA):
On January 1, 2006, the Food Allergen Labeling and Consumer Protection Act of 2004 took effect. The FALCPA mandates that most packaged foods, regulated by the FDA, clearly list those ingredients (either in the ingredient list or in a separate Contains Statement) identified as the top eight food allergens: milk, eggs, fish, crustacean shellfish, tree nuts, wheat, peanuts, and soybeans. Note there is still no requirement that manufacturers must warn about potential cross-contamination, though some choose to do so. Products like lotions and soaps also are not legally obligated to list ingredients, even when they contain a top eight food allergen such as nut oils which may be dangerous for those with nut allergies. For more information see: www.fda.gov
Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research Act (FASTER):
Beginning in 2023, manufacturers are required to list sesame as a food allergen if it is present in packaged foods . In addition, the Department of Health and Human Services must report on certain information related to food allergy research and data collection activities.
https://www.fda.gov/food/food-labeling-nutrition/food-allergies
WEBSITES
www.foodallergy.org is the website for the Food Allergy Research & Education organization (FARE).
www.neofan.org is the website for the Northeast Ohio Food Allergy Network (NEOFAN).
www.aaaai.org is the website for the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
www.stopbullying.gov is the federal government’s website on bullying and prevention.
www.thebullyproject.com is a website that provides tools and resources for kids.
www.pacer.org/bullying/resources/info-facts.asp is a website for PACER’S National Bullying Prevention Center.
www.pacerkidsagainstbullying.org is an interactive website for kids to learn about and respond to bullying.
www.pacerteensagainstbullying.org is an interactive website to help teens understand and respond to bullying.
BOOKS AND READING MATERIAL
Allergies at school: ways to increase the safety and awareness of life-threatening food allergies at school. Stratton, S. (2012). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
Bullied. What every parent, teacher and kid needs to know about ending the cycle of fear. Goldman, C. (2012). New York, NY: HarperCollins.
Bullying leaves a bad taste: anti-bullying initiative for kids and teens with food allergies. Ievers-Landis, C.E., Yasuda, P.M., Rose, C.A., Glick, A.B. (2020). Cleveland, OH: printed by NEOFAN.
Preventing bullying through science, policy, and practice. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2016). Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/23482.
The food allergy experience: Real voices. Real disease. Real insights. Bunning, D., Gupta, R. (2012). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.
When food allergies cause anxiety. Five tips for parents of kids with food-allergy related anxiety. Hubbard, T. (2019–2020). Coping© with Allergies & Asthma magazine.
VIDEOS
Bully, directed by Lee Hirsch, is a documentary about the lives of several students who experience severe bullying.
How to stay alive: administering epinephrine.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR bOOK CLUBS, PARENTS, AND TEACHERS
Evan worries a lot about his image and being popular in the book. Would it have been possible for him to befriend the “weird kid” so quickly without damaging his own reputation? Was it wrong for him to make decisions based on his own reputation?
William is often depicted with a smile on his face, even when in uncomfortable or difficult situations. Why do you think William rarely expressed anger or sadness? Did this trait make him more or less likeable?
How was William able to gain the respect and friendship of the more popular kids—even some of his worst tormentors—while his dorky demeanor, frail appearance, naiveté, and medical issues remained the same throughout the book?
Do you think William was as credulous, innocent and uncritical as he appeared? Why or why not? Why do you think Evan specifically sought out William on the day his grandmother died?
Why was Jason so upset by Evan’s growing friendship with William? Was Evan able to be a good friend to both Jason and William? How could he have handled things differently?
Throughout the book, did Evan fail William as a friend? Was keeping William safe Evan’s responsibility? In the end, should Evan take blame for what happens to William?
Why do you think that William chose to trust David King when he told him the brownies were safe for him at the party? What might have motivated William to try something he couldn’t be sure was okay for him to eat?
Since the book takes place in 1995, there are no cell phones or social media. How does bullying look today compared to in the 1990’s? How do you think William’s experience may have been different in current times?