Moms Run Support Group for Parents of Allergic Kids

Two Westwood moms of children with severe allergies decided to create a group where parents could learn strategies and share stories. The group, originally created in the Westwood Regional School District, has grown to include parents from throughout the area.

Cheryl Chang and Jennifer Bonerbo met when their children attended what was then Ketler School in Westwood. Realizing there wasn't a group dedicated to food allergies, they founded the Food Allergy Support Team (FAST) to work with school personnel on guidelines to keep allergic children safe.

The pair decided to expand the group about three years ago and formed SPOAK (Support Parents of Allergic Kids), which is currently listed as an official support group of the Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network (FAAN).

Chang said FAAN offers "all kinds of information and support" regarding allergies. SPOAK is one of eight listed support groups in New Jersey and the only one in the northern part of the state. To be listed by FAAN, groups must meet several criteria, including having a medical advisor that is a board-certified allergist.

SPOAK's medical advisor is Dr. Jennifer Sherman of Saddle River. Chang said Sherman is her son's allergist and was excited to get involved. She attends all the group's meetings and answers medical questions that arise.

Meetings include guest speakers and an open forum where members can ask questions and share stories. Sometimes older children will attend to speak to parents or younger children about what they have experienced.

Bonerbo said allergy issues evolve as children grow, from teaching young children about their allergies all the way to teens dating and having to worry about what someone has eaten before they kiss.

SPOAK also has a therapist who can help with psychological aspects of allergies. Chang said children can get discouraged if they feel like they're always being told they can't have certain foods at school and parties and they may get very scared about what could happen to them.

The pair said members include parents of children with severe nut allergies, Celiac disease (an allergy to gluten, which includes wheat) and dairy. It also includes parents with children who have oral allergies, which can be caused by foods that are carriers of the allergen. Bonerbo explained that some people can feel an allergic tingle after eating a fruit if they are allergic to the tree it came from.

SPOAK currently has about 60 members on its mailing list and Chang and Bonerbo would like to see that number grow. They hold meetings quarterly at the in Washington Township. The next meeting is scheduled for Thursday at 7 p.m. The guest speaker will be Sloane Miller, author of Allergic Girl. She was born with food allergies and is a social worker and writer.

Chang and Bonerbo have attended FAAN conferences and said learning about how others have dealt with allergy issues can be very helpful, for both parents and children.

"For me, hearing someone else's story helps a lot to know how [my son is] feeling," Chang said. "That's one of the reasons that we have our group."

She added that many members discuss working with schools and what kinds of accommodations can be made for their children.

Education is the key to staying safe, both women said, and they hope more parents of children with allergies join SPOAK, which is a free non-profit organization.

Chang and Bonerbo also want to raise awareness about allergies. They plan to have SPOAK members participate in the FAAN Walk for Food Allergy at the Ridgewood Duck Pond Oct. 23 at 1 p.m.

For more information about the group or to express a desire to come to a future meeting, e-mail njfast@gmail.com.