Oh my!!! For me and my family, watching baseball and enjoying peanuts right out of the shell is a tradition, but I always wondered about kids with allergies at baseball games. Prior to this rule, bringing a kid with peanut allergies to a ballgame must have been asking for trouble. Whenever people eat them, the shells get everywhere, the particles and shell dust blow around, etc. If someone around me asked me, I’d stop eating them for sure out of courtesy, but it never happened. I just figured people who had children with this severe allergy could not and would not take their kids to such a notoriously peanut-filled zone, which is a shame - going to see ballgames is a great part of any family’s life. I applaud this new rule.

I’m in my mid-twenties, and when I was little, peanut allergies were almost unheard of, but in recent years - and scientists are baffled as to why - a growing number of kids in the US have allergies to peanuts so severe that many schools have banned that once-favorite childhood staple, PB and J, from their lunchrooms…even if it is for the sake of a single kid. It’s a shame this is happening, since peanuts are delicious, nutritious and to those without allergies, PB and peanuts are a good source of protein and an inexpensive and kid-palate friendly sandwich spread. Still, it does require some sacrifices for the safety of others; I am cool with that. I just need to make sure I get the seats in the peanut-friendly zone!

NO MORE GUILT TRIPS! STOP DISCRIMINATING AGAINST NORMAL - HEALTHY PEOPLE!

I don’t think a peanut free zone is unreasonable. I think the organizations are trying to provide for more people to enjoy a baseball game. I think asking every kid in the entire school to not bring peanut butter and jelly sandwiches because a child in another class has severe peanut allergy is unreasonable. There’s a balance that can be struck. One section out of the whole stadium one night a week isn’t infringing on anyone’s rights.

I am pleased the Cardinals have agreed to try this and that the Rascals already do so. My family and I will attend the Cards game on July 21 and ask our friends to join us so we can fill up the peanut free section. Our 12 year old son has a severe peanut allergy. When we go to games, (everywhere, actually) we are ALWAYS prepared for an accidental ingestion. At Cards games, we ask folks sitting around us who are eating peanuts to please throw their shells away from us, and they have been kind and understanding. To not have to worry about peanuts at the game would be a great relief. Unless someone has a child/loved one with this LIFE THREATENING!! issue, you don’t realize all of the potential danger. Thanks for the article, Kurt!

I am so grateful to the St. Louis Cardinals and the River City Rascals for working with families living with food allergies. While it upsetting to read some people’s insensitivity and cruelty, I really believe this “debate” is a great opportunity for education.

I enjoyed the first three and a half years of my daughter’s life, just like most others. I didn’t worry about what my child ate, any more than the average parent trying to get her to eat her fruits and veggies. I didn’t worry about sending her to pre-school, trick-or-treating or birthday parties. I didn’t read every single label at the grocery store or question menus at restaurants. I gave my kid PBJ sandwiches, and lived freely. And then, out of the blue, she had a reaction to peanuts. Upon testing, we learned she was allergic to peanuts and tree nuts. Our whole world changed.

Not only do we have to worry about what she eats, we have to worry about her coming in contact with nuts. The particles from peanuts and peanut oil are strong and can last on surfaces. As food allergy parents, we take every precaution, educate ourselves, pack our purses full of epi-pens and benadryl … and hope and pray. We take this role on, without expecting others to understand how daunting and frightening everyday life can be. But we are so very grateful for when others show compassion to try to help us do our best in taking care of our kids with this very strange and growing problem. (Growing astronomically - and affecting people at all ages.)

For people who think, “just don’t feed your kid peanuts” don’t understand the reality. The day my daughter was to be in a wedding, she ended up in the ER because people around her had eaten peanuts (without my knowledge) and TOUCHED her. She did not eat it - but came in contact with it. Her blood pressure dropped, she fainted and had breathing issues, along with vomiting/stomach upset.

So when the FEAST group enjoys their day at the ballpark, worrying just a little less about their kids … and letting their kids feel like everyone else for a few hours, thank your lucky stars that your reality isn’t ours. And for people who also have other allergies and conditions, I sympathize more and feel more deeply for your struggles because I know how difficult everyday, “normal” life can be.

The Harper’s Article mentioned in a post was a not very well researched opinion piece and quite frankly an example of bad journalism. The writer of that article is the author of books about failied relationships. She is no expert on food allergies and the article was attacked by those who suffer from food allergies, including medical experts. Here is a news story in fact that mentions the article and how misinformation lead to this child, Andrew Smith’s death from a peanut allergy.
http://tristatehomepage.com/content/fulltext/?cid=5678

“dr zira” & “brontosaurus”,

Huh?

I don’t even know where to begin with this one…..In my opinion, it is a nice thing that is being done. However, we all need to stop thinking that we are the only ones that exist on the planet and that everyone else needs to conform to us. It is sad that these children are having to go through this and be singled out, but I must agree with the person who questioned why this is an issue all of a sudden. Is it because we put our children in these glass bubbles and protect them from the world? We don’t let our kids get dirty any more, we shelter them from every inconceivable evil that exists. We don’t let our kids be kids any more.

We need to look at what constant pacification does to our children. Kids need a little disappointment in their lives, someone to say no to them once in awhile. And they need to get dirty!!! Stop turning them into antibacterial machines without the ability to fight off a peanut. There is a reason for a rise in these allergies, asthma, ADD, ADHD. Is it all the packaged food, soda, candy, kool aid, etc? We tend to give our kids what they want, when they want it, so we don’t have to listen to them. STOP. It is a disservice to them and to their health.

I have been fortunate as I have not suffered from any allergies. You ask how far should public places go to accomodate such issues? You answered that question in your statement, they are public places. Places intended for public use should at least try to make their facilities accessible to as many people as possible or should people with severe allergies not be allowed to enjoy a baseball game?

next we’ll have separate schools.