Dairy

Hi! My name is Saisha, and its been almost a year since my first major allergic reaction. My allergy has always been complicated. I'd throw up and develop little rashes that weaved up my face when I was younger, but it never felt like a problem. Often, when I tried to talk about it, people would discredit me. "It's just lactose intolerance". And sure, while I don't need an epi pen, or fear for my life, it doesn't make my experience any less valid. I'm still allergic, and when people put butter in their food, or "just a splash of cream", it hurts me in so many way. The first being the horrific nausea, the second being the humiliating rashes or hives, and the third being the betrayal I feel when I realize "wow, I'm not even deserving of basic human respect." People need to stop putting lactose intolerance and allergies in the same box. In a typical day, I don't pretend I suffer. It's honestly not that hard to live like this. To all the people, saying I'm brave, or that "I'd just eat a block of cheese and meet my ancesters" (HAHA SO FUNNY MS.DELANEY, just kidding...) dairy free stuff is everywhere. I may not be able to have cake, but an Oreo is always fine. (They're vegan!!!) I can't have a bowl of vanilla ice cream, but did you know? Sorbet exists, and dang is vegan ice cream amazing. I've become creative because of this allergy. I can give you a hundred subsitutions to butter if you're on a diet, or 50 almond milk brands off the top of my head if you want to try a new coffee recipe. I'm south Asian, Nepali specifically. While being allergic to dairy has taken away certain parts of my cultural foods/diet, it's also connected me to others. In hinduism, many people are vegan, even more meat free. Though going dairy free was a choice forced upon me, I'd encourage you to research how milk can be produced in the US. It's hard to argue it's ethical

My first major allergic reaction? This was before I was so so aware of what I ate. I was close to crying in the nurses room, my face was red and blotchy with rashes, and the nurse came real close to my face.

"it says you don't have an epipen here. Why are you lying? I'm calling your mom."

and so she did, an even with the confusing explanation of my mild allergy, I was dismissed. Ever since then, well, nutrition facts is my best friend. If I could speak up for us allergy friends, all special in our own ways, you know what I'd say? Treat us with empathy, and more importantly, trust us when we say we're allergic. We have no reason to lie. An allergy isn't fun, but we learn to live with it. That's just how life is.