Perlés Jewellery

Hi all, Ive sat with Kelly and Eva as they write their blog about how Allergies have affected their life. We know that there are so many more people in the world who are affected by these conditions and this is why we want to raise awareness. It is the type of condition that unless you are directly connected it doesnt affect you and it is hard to comprehend or grasp the severity. I could sit here and tell you how awful it is for them and how hard their life is. But that isnt my place and i couldnt even break the surface of what it is like for their wee family. All 4 of them are very special to me and my husband. Kelly my sister is my partner in Perlés Jewellery and we wouldn't be where we are today without the hard work that she has put in, through all that she has going on. Brian has been like a brother to me since he became part of our family. Matthew my amazing nephew who has his own conditions to battle with and is doing his best to be supportive of his little sister. And last but not least Eva, who is such a talented and special little girl. Those two children make my heart melt every time I spend time with them. I just want to give a wee snippet of how I feel watching from the outside.

For me as Eva's aunt I get so emotional when I think of how her life is so restricted and the risks that come with everyday life. I remember a few years ago Kelly and Brian were going away for the weekend and I had to learn how to use the Epi-pen in case of an anaphylactic reaction. Kelly had to show me twice because the first time she tried to show me I was crying and couldnt take it all in. She was so small that the realisation of what could happen to her broke my heart. Over the years I have watched her grow in to a very special little girl, who has the kindest and most caring heart. She has been sick so much due to her allergies and I have had to see her wee family go through so much. I cannot even begin to imagine how hard it must be for them to live in their wee bubble. They have to be careful everywhere they go because the risk of someone even just touching Eva after having handled dairy is so great. You imagine if you had even just had a cup of coffee and kissed Eva she would take a reaction. If you had held a piece of chocolate and touched her hand she would take a reaction. Even so far as if you had touched something with dairy in it and then touched a door handle or table before Eva then she would most likely take a reaction. If you haven't done so already read the blogs of Eva and Kelly, if you have read them you will know how this restriction has affected them. 

My hope is that people will read this and want to learn more, so that for Eva and more children like her they can be of assistance. Imagine the impact we could all have on these childrens lives if we were a little more aware of their allergies and what we could do to prevent their reactions or in cases where it can't be prevented being able to use their life saving medication. 

Obviously we know that not all allergies to food are life threatening but nevertheless cause a lot of upheaval to families and the sickness that comes with it. Going out to places for food becomes an issue if you can't guarantee the ingredients in the food. There are so many things to consider when you have to cater for someone with allergies. I myself have intolerances to certain foods which causes severe cramping in my stomach, acid reflux and skin reactions. These are not easy to deal with so i can only begin to imagine what it is like to live with severe allergies.

We are hoping that other families will come forward and give their story too. So watch this space...