Charity Luiskutty, PA-C
VP, Medical Education

Charity Luiskutty, MPA, PA-C

Vice President, Medical Education

When our firstborn, Ella, arrived in 2003, her adorable, toothless grin became her signature—one she kept until nearly her second birthday, when her teeth finally began to come in. Looking back, there were early signs that something wasn’t quite right. On a few occasions, she had episodes of vomiting during meals, most often when we were dining out. At a birthday party, she once picked up a peanut from a table and had an unexpected reaction. At the time, we assumed she was choking, especially since she didn’t yet have teeth.

Everything became clearer after one meal of scrambled eggs, when Ella developed full-body hives and difficulty breathing. That was the first moment we recognized a true allergic reaction.

We were incredibly fortunate to have access to excellent care at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, where we lived at the time. With the guidance of a board-certified allergist and thorough history-taking and testing, Ella was diagnosed with allergies to peanuts, tree nuts, eggs, fish, and shellfish. We moved forward—cautiously but intentionally—continuing to introduce new foods, traveling often since we lived far from family, and doing our best to live life fully. Along the way, we also learned to manage severe eczema and asthma. Over the next few years, Ella’s list of food allergies expanded to include sesame, coconut, and apple.

Our second child, Luke, was born in 2006. It felt simplest to follow the same diet his sister ate, and for a while, it appeared he had no food allergies at all. That changed when we began introducing foods like egg and nuts around age two and a half, while Ella was attending camp. Formal testing revealed that Luke was allergic to the same foods as his sister, with soy protein and sunflower seed added to his list over time.

Will completed our family in 2008. He was, perhaps, the happiest—and chubbiest—baby of all, but I struggled to introduce formula. During our final attempt, he became limp and lethargic in my arms. Will was diagnosed with dairy, egg, and peanut allergies, later adding beef, cashew, and pistachio to his growing list.

We had to learn how to manage daily life for one child allergic to dairy, another to soy, and multiple foods to avoid for all three while ensuring each child could be properly nourished and grow. When my youngest outgrew his peanut allergy, we had to intentionally keep peanuts in his diet, even though his older siblings remained allergic. These challenges taught all of us vigilance, confidence, and how to safely navigate a world filled with food—caring for ourselves while watching out for one another.

As a physician assistant by training, with professional experience in cardiology and emergency medicine, I began to focus my continuing education on allergy and immunology whenever possible. I was also fortunate to live near a wonderful children’s hospital and to become involved in an in-person food allergy support group. We found FAACT and the broader food allergy community early on. I am deeply grateful that my children have grown up empowered by programs like FAACT’s Camp TAG and Teen Summits—spaces where they are not defined or limited by food allergies but instead educated, supported, and endlessly encouraged!

While my children are now young adults and have outgrown some food allergies (and continue to manage others), they have navigated each stage of life with confidence. They’ve traveled internationally, chosen colleges based on where they wanted to go rather than focusing on food, lived with roommates, and believe they can do anything. Supporting that belief has always been my role.

Today, I feel incredibly fortunate to work in a pediatric allergy clinic alongside food-allergic families, help lead our local support group, and work with FAACT to support the broader food allergy community. It is truly a gift.