Elise's story

I have allergies to wheat, cow’s milk, eggs, nuts and sesame seeds, plus I have asthma and eczema. I have lived with allergies all my life, having become unwell as a baby and obviously being taken to the doctors by my parents for a diagnosis. 

I’m 17 now and I’m proud to say that I’ve got to a point where I’m more assertive about speaking up and explaining my allergies to new people and saying what I need, although I’m still working being direct about my allergies in restaurants. I did my required GCSE speech on my experience of food allergies! 

In the past there have been many difficult moments, such as a recent wheat food oral challenge which I failed at the last stage. However, particularly when I was younger, I honestly felt a bit embarrassed of my allergies and nothing scared me more than having to explain them.  

One of the main things I’ve struggled with in terms of my food allergies is how many people really don’t understand them, particularly the severity. I’ve dealt with my fair share of unwanted or confused comments and I’ve realised that really the issue is not people, it’s simply a lack of education.  

One of the main aims in my life as I become an adult to make sure that no allergic person feels alone.