The Inside Press

Magazines serving the communities of Northern Westchester

food allergies

Chappaqua’s Jared Saiontz Recognized for Advocating for Children with Food Allergies

by

Photos courtesy of Jared’s mom, Stacey Saiontz

Jared Saiontz is only 14 years-old and entering his first year of high school yet he has done so much as an advocate for Food Allergy Awareness. He has suffered from severe food allergies his whole life.

His allergies include dairy, egg, oat, rye, cats, dogs, sesame, and many more. Instead of accepting the difficulties that come with living with allergies, he decided to take action to help improve the lives of all those living with food allergies.

His most recent accomplishment was advocating for the passage of a Westchester County Food Allergy Restaurant Safety law that will allow restaurants to properly serve people with allergies. Every restaurant in Westchester County will now have on-site personnel who are trained in food allergy safety. Additionally, signs will be posted identifying the top nine major allergens (note Jared was part of the successful advocacy effort at the federal level to add sesame as the 9th allergen companies must label for) along with symptoms of an allergic reaction and steps to take to treat it. This new law will not only help so many people suffering from allergies, but it is only one of the great things Jared has accomplished.

Jared has always been passionate about helping other children with food allergies. Most recently he successfully advocated for placement of allergy awareness signs at the Town of New Castle playgrounds. When he was younger his parents couldn’t risk letting him ride the school bus because at that time school bus drivers were not allowed to administer epinephrine. This potentially meant that if Jared or any other child at the time accidentally consumed something they should not, the bus driver was not allowed to administer epinephrine even if it meant saving the child’s life. Jared asked his mom if they could meet with their State Senator Terrance Murphy and Assembly Member David Buchwald to change this.

Jared explained that every May since the age of 4, he, his mother and older brother Elliott would drive hours to attend meetings in Albany so he could be an advocate for not only himself but all the other children that had allergies. Thanks to Jared and other allergy advocates, a law was passed in 2017 to change this rule and now all school bus drivers in New York State can legally administer epinephrine in the event of an emergency. Jared, alongside other advocates testified for and helped pass the following New York State laws: a law that allow schools to stock non patient specific epinephrine; a law that allows students to self carry their life saving epinephrine; a law that requires all preschools to have allergy awareness training; and a law that allows park rangers to carry and administer epinephrine.

Helping Keep Food Pantries Stocked with Safe Food Options

Jared has always been passionate about helping other children and adults with easy accessibility to allergy safe food options. In the midst of the 2020 pandemic, the food shortage made it harder for Jared and his family to find allergy safe food options that worked for him. One day at the dinner table Jared asked, “How are people who cannot afford allergy safe food handling this? Do food pantries provide allergy safe food?”

He and his mom Stacey Saiontz reached out to the Mt. Kisco Interfaith Food Pantry and asked them how they handle clientele with food allergies. The Food Pantry did not yet have food allergy protocols. Roberta Horowitz at the Food Pantry asked Jared if he wanted to partner with her to help create food allergy protocols for the Pantry and he did! He created innovative posters in Spanish and English to be displayed at the food pantry. These signs not only had writing but symbols to indicate to clientele to advise an employee about their food allergies.

But this is not the only way Jared helped the food pantry. The food pantry surveyed its clientele and asked what allergies they had. Using this information, Jared’s former middle school and other local schools conducted an allergy friendly food drive so guests at the food pantries could have options that worked for them. Now every year during Food Allergy Awareness month (May) those schools annually conduct food drives for the pantry. This year with the help from the PTA and the Seven Bridges Share Jr. Club, the Chappaqua schools collected and donated 734 pounds of allergy friendly food.

Next on the Horizon

Although he’s achieved so much already, he is still not done! Jared hopes to help pass a bill that will require all New York State teachers to be trained to recognize if a child is experiencing anaphylaxis and understand how to administer an epinephrine auto injector. Jared noted that “1 in every 13 children suffer from food allergies. This bill would allow teachers who spend most of their time with children to recognize if a child is having an allergic reaction and save their life. A lot of kids try foods for the first time at school and could experience their first reaction at school.” Jared has testified for this bill annually for 10 years now and he will not give up until it is passed into law.

When asked if there was anything he would like the readers to know Jared said, “Even though I have all these allergies I am still able to do all the same things as everyone else… I just can’t eat the same foods.” After an interview with Jared, it’s clear that he can not only do what anyone else can but beyond that. At such a young age he has helped countless people with food allergies and raised so much awareness. Let it be known that Jared has a very bright future ahead!

Local Moms of Food Allergic Kids Driven to Effect Change and Promote Awareness

by

Food allergies affect approximately 5 percent of children and 4 percent of adults in the U.S, according to the National Institutes of Health. Food allergies can sometimes trigger a life-threatening anaphylactic reaction marked by constriction of the airways, making it difficult to breathe. Living with this threat, especially for parents of children with food allergies, is frightening and challenging. Part of the challenge is navigating a life where many people either are blissfully unaware of or simply do not appreciate the seriousness of food allergies.

The Importance of Spreading Awareness

Armonk mom Michelle Isban, as a former teacher, knows that educating the public is the best method to ensure that her food allergic daughter can live a healthy and safe life. Michelle’s achievements include having helped promote awareness at Armonk’s two playgrounds, IBM and Lombardi parks. Signs posted at the playgrounds list common food allergens and alert park-goers that allergic reactions can happen from tactile contact so children should only eat at designated picnic areas and wash their hands before using the equipment.

“Inclusivity is the most important thing to me,” says Isban. “If my daughter goes on the monkey bars right after a child who just ate peanut butter, she can have an anaphylactic reaction. I want her to feel like she can run safely onto the playground after soccer practice.”

Isban credits the Town of North Castle Recreation Department for their swift action in installing the signs upon her suggestion. “Matt Trainor, superintendent of the rec department was really open to it, raised it at a town board meeting, and got it approved. A few weeks later, the signs were up.”

Photo of mug and playground sign courtesy of Michelle Isban

“It’s upsetting when your child is excluded,” reveals another Armonk mom. “I don’t expect another parent to bake something for my child, but I’m angry when I don’t get a head’s up about a class party or when parents show up to soccer games or practices with Dunkin Donuts or cookies. Your child has to watch empty-handed as their friends delight in their delicious treat. With just a little notice, I can easily bring a comparable treat for my child.”

Ever since Isban’s daughter was diagnosed with allergies, Isban has advocated for her daughter and for food allergic children. With the help of a lawyer, she helped get a 504 plan, the first in Byram Hills granted for food allergies. Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973 requires public schools to offer accommodations for eligible students with disabilities. Now, other families in the district can more freely obtain this legally binding plan to address how the school will accommodate their child’s food allergies.

Isban also started an Instagram page called allergymomwithamission where she recommends new food brands without common allergens and collaborates with companies that make allergy-safe food products. Every Wednesday, she shares a food allergy hero, a young child or teen, and what they are doing in the food allergy community.

Isban uses any opportunity presented to spread awareness. She donates children’s books about food allergies to the school, she organized the Teal Pumpkin Drive in Armonk to collect non-food items for Halloween, she has co-chaired walks for the non-profit Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE), and helped organize the 2019 Shoot For A Cure fundraiser at Breezemont Day Camp for the non-profit End Allergies Together (EAT) that raised over $60,000.

A teacher at heart, she will never pass up a teachable moment. Once on an airplane, hearing another passenger complain that peanuts were not being served, Isban approached the woman and explained that her daughter could have an anaphylactic reaction if a bag of peanuts was opened and the dust circulated in the air. She offered to share her own granola bar with the woman.

“I teach my daughter that food allergies don’t define you but they are part of you so it’s important to teach other people,” says Isban. “Everyone can make a difference and you don’t have to stay quiet.”

Legislation Passed That Can Save Lives

Chappaqua mom Stacey Saiontz, a former lawyer, has also committed to using her skills to advocate for legislation to make the world a safer and more inclusive place for people with food allergies. Her 13-year-old son, who has 26 food allergies, has been her driving force.

Mission Accomplished! Stacey Saiontz with family and friends following Governor Cuomo signing a bill giving bus drivers a green light to administer epinephrine in an emergency situation.

Twelve years ago, Saiontz had an idea to create a law that would require all New York State teachers to be trained to recognize a child in anaphylaxis and how to administer an epinephrine auto-injector. While at a child’s birthday party whose grandfather was a state senator, she approached the senator with her idea and he encouraged her to draft proposed legislation, which he later sponsored. Sadly, this bill has taken turns getting passed in either the senate or the assembly, but never both. Saiontz continues to push for this Teacher Training Bill (A523), which is currently being sponsored by Assembly member Linda Rosenthal.

She has since advocated, along with other Chappaqua parents, for multiple bills that have passed into law. Senate bill S7262A allows schools to stock epinephrine auto injectors and permits them to be administered in emergency situations without a prescription.

“Many kids try foods at school that they may not know they are allergic to and they can have a reaction. Previously, nurses’ hands were tied and they couldn’t use an EpiPen on a child without a prescription,” explains Saiontz. “A throat can close within seconds to minutes depending on the reaction and waiting for an ambulance could result in death.”

Another bill Saiontz helped pass into law, Assembly bill A09334B, allows students to self-carry EpiPens in schools. Thanks to this law, students could carry EpiPens in their backpacks and go to their friends’ houses and on their friends’ buses with them after school.

A third bill was inspired by Saiontz’ son when he was in the 4th grade and really wanted to take the bus but bus drivers were not authorized to administer epinephrine. Saiontz included her son in the whole process, brought him to Albany, and he proposed a law allowing bus drivers to administer epinephrine. Assembly bill A7635A was passed into law.

Saiontz is currently working on restaurant legislation in New York State that would require training of restaurant personnel and adding allergens to the menu. On the federal level, Saiontz and fellow local advocates advocated for the passage of the FASTER (Food Allergy Safety, Treatment, Education, and Research) Act that now requires sesame to be labeled on packaged food.

Saiontz has been bringing her son with her to Albany to advocate since he was 4-years old, along with a group of fellow parents and their kids.

“I don’t want him to feel sorry for himself.

I want him to see what he can do to make life better for him and others,” emphasizes Saiontz.

The Beauty of Publishing

by

There’s no business like show business… except for maybe publishing community magazines!  With a cover story in Inside Armonk Magazine about Treasures and its wonderful volunteer and philanthropic efforts, I’m feeling that too. I’m also delighted we could bring you our Inside Chappaqua Magazine cover story in which BGCNW executive director Alyzza Ozer shares so many of the amazing accomplishments of the Boys & Girls Club of Northern Westchester. Both these stories were ‘from the source’–sharing from their hearts–and we may include more of these in future articles about non-profits, too.

Toiling away in my own little corner in my own little chair over the last 18 years, I’m not always immediately aware, but over time, I can become quite buoyed by the impact different stories have on a person, a single organization, or an entire community for that matter.

I won’t lie either. The occasional expressions of gratitude we receive in producing our own little show makes publishing feel like a truly beautiful and worthwhile endeavor. This past fall, we received two such letters! Please see excerpts from each below.

We have some wonderful stories about several of our sponsors in this edition as well, and I present those with deep gratitude, too. The ‘independent’ stories we produce would not be possible without advertising/advertorial support, and in truth, the stories about our sponsors can be equally well received–as most of them are your neighbors and friends, too! And, oh, so impressive.

The beauty of expressing gratitude also emerges as a theme in these current and end of the year ‘beautiful-inside and out’ themed holiday editions. We have several essays addressing that vital feeling of appreciation of others, or even of oneself (if you’re prone to discounting your own beauty; I know I am). I’m personally grateful for all the arts venues bursting back onto the scene, and yup, I sure love getting out of the house again! As much as possible, in fact! in these editions, we visit the Taconic Opera Company and the iconic Capitol Theatre (rock and roll heaven in our backyard) to acquaint you, or at least remind you of all the irresistible shows.

An end note here as well that the holiday season can be especially treacherous for families with children with food allergies, so don’t miss Ella Ilan’s story about two moms making a huge difference. And that’s beautiful too.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS! 

Letters to the Editor

“I am writing to send you sincere thanks for your story about the Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden in your September-October issues of Inside Armonk and Inside Chappaqua & Millwood. The articles were so well written and illustrated that we could not have done a better job ourselves! It is clear that the results of your articles have increased our admissions at the Hammond Museum, both because the past several Saturdays have brought the most visitors that we have had in a single day (except our Opening Day), with about a 1/3 increase over prior Saturdays, and also because several individuals specifically remarked that their visit was the result of seeing your article in their local magazine. In fact, a visitor, who is the head of a local community group, remarked today that she heard about the Hammond at a gathering several weeks ago but suddenly “I’m seeing the Hammond promoted everywhere!” She specifically mentioned that one of the primary sources was your magazine. So we cannot thank you enough for your interest and support in our institution…  — Elizabeth Hammer, Executive Director, Hammond Museum and Japanese Stroll Garden

“I’m writing to express my gratitude to you and Pia Haas for the story in the September-October issues of Inside Chappaqua & Millwood and Inside Armonk magazines welcoming me in my new role as President and CEO of Caramoor Center for Music & the Arts. The piece captures the richness of the experiences that can be enjoyed at Caramoor year round, whether it be teas, tours and concerts in the Music Room of the Rosen House in the Fall through Spring, or our extensive summer season of outdoor musical performances enhanced by garden strolls, picnics and our Sonic Innovations Sound Art collection. Caramoor is a local gem and we can’t thank you enough for sharing it with your readers. Publications like yours play a vital role in the community and it was an honor to be included. It was also wonderful to work with your photographer Donna Mueller (who, by the way, miraculously coaxed our Sandy to pose for a photo!) and to meet you in person on Chappaqua Day! …  — Edward J. Lewis III, President & CEO, Caramoor Center for Music & the Arts

Basketball Fundraiser to End Food Allergies

by

Lace up your sneakers! Michelle Feit Isban, a parent of a child with multiple anaphylactic food allergies, has created an event with an amazing group of food allergy families called “EAT’s Shoot for a Cure and Family Fun Day” on May 19 from 1-4 p.m. at Breezemont Day Camp. The event will feature basketball games for the whole family and carnival-style activities. Visit eat.rallybound.org/shootforacure for additional information.

Fare Walk for Food Allergies Comes to Westchester

by

15 Million Americans with Food Allergies = 15 Million Reasons to Walk

The FARE Walk for Food Allergy, presented by Mylan Specialty L.P., raises critical funds and awareness each year to support Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) in its mission to improve the quality of life and the health of individuals with food allergies, and to provide them hope through the promise of new treatments.
FARE WALK IMAGE

Join FARE and the food allergy community in Westchester to raise critical funds for and awareness about this growing public health issue. The FARE Walk for Food Allergy in Westchester will be held Saturday, October 10th at Glen Island Park in New Rochelle at 1pm.

This year, tens of thousands of people will gather at walks in nearly 60 communities nationwide to support their loved ones, friends, co-workers and neighbors living with life-threatening food allergies. The FARE Walk for Food Allergy offers fun activities for the entire family while helping to advance food allergy research, education, advocacy and awareness initiatives.

“Fifteen million people in the United States are living with food allergy, a life-altering and potentially life-threatening disease,” said Donna McKelvey, senior vice president and chief development officer at FARE. “It is for each of these individuals and their families that we work to find life-changing treatments, educate, advocate – and of course, walk. Every step we take and every dollar raised brings us closer to the day when we say FAREwell to food allergies.”

Sandi Kornblum, a Westchester resident and parent of a child with food allergies, is Westchester’s Walk Chair. She shares, “I am very excited about the 6th annual food allergy walk in Westchester. We are working diligently and planning a spectacular family day with fun-filled activities for the kids. Please fundraise and register to attend on October10th to help spread awareness as we walk together towards progress and growth in the research and education of food allergies.”

The 2013 and 2014 FARE Walk for Food Allergy programs raised over $3 million each. Participants can sign up to walk individually or as part of a team. For more information, or to register or volunteer, visit www.foodallergywalk.org/westchester2015. Sponsorship opportunities remain available, enabling businesses to show their support for families who are managing food allergies.

ABOUT FARE
Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE) works on behalf of the 15 million Americans with food allergies, including all those at risk for life-threatening anaphylaxis. This potentially deadly disease affects 1 in every 13 children in the U.S. – or roughly two in every classroom. FARE’s mission is to improve the quality of life and the health of individuals with food allergies, and to provide them hope through the promise of new treatments. Our work is organized around three core tenets: LIFE – support the ability of individuals with food allergies to live safe, productive lives with the respect of others through our education and advocacy initiatives; HEALTH – enhance the healthcare access of individuals with food allergies to state-of-the-art diagnosis and treatment; and HOPE – encourage and fund research in both industry and academia that promises new therapies to improve the allergic condition. For more information, please visit www.foodallergy.org and find us on Twitter @FoodAllergy, Facebook, YouTube and Pinterest.

The information presented here was via a Press Release from The FARE Walk for Food Allergy.