Lisa Horne
Director, Marketing

Lisa Horne

Director, Marketing

My husband’s grandmother made these amazing treats called Scotcharoos when we were first married. They are basically rice cereal treats with peanut butter, butterscotch, and chocolate. I decided to recreate them at home.

I was holding my then 8-month-old son, Stetson, while I was snacking on a square of Scotcharoos. He was curious about what I was eating, so I pinched off a bite and gave it to him. He broke out in several tiny little hives around his mouth. I didn’t think much of it because I had no experience with food allergies and there were no other signs or symptoms. My husband was concerned enough to call the charge nurse at our local hospital. The nurse told us that it just probably meant Stetson had an allergy to peanuts and not to worry.

I have always wondered why that nurse did not give us more information about food allergies or tell us to follow up with an allergist. Why she didn’t tell us to be cautious because future reactions could be life-threatening. At the time, not knowing anything about food allergies, I truly didn’t consider that this was a big deal.

Fast forward 9 months, and I wanted to give my son his first PB&J. I love peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and wanted to share a food I loved as a child with my child. I cut one of those pre-made refrigerated sandwiches in half and tried to get him to give it just a little bite. He wanted nothing to do with it. Looking back, it was as if he knew it was not safe for him.

I tried to get a little bit of the sandwich on the tip of my finger and touch it to his mouth in hopes he’d get a taste and want more. Instead, he began screaming and wiping at his face. I turned around for less than a minute to wet a rag so that I could clean his face. When I turned back, he had smeared the small dollop of PB&J all over this face and into his eyes, and his whole face was puffed up. His long, dark eye lashes were lost in his now puffy eyes. He had also stopped crying and was changing color.

I grabbed him out of his high chair and, without a purse or shoes, drove him to the Emergency Room, which happened to be about a mile from our home. I rushed to the front desk, told them I had given him peanut butter, and the nurses took over. They whisked him away and began checking his vitals and putting tubes and medicines in him.

He didn’t look like himself for days after being released from the hospital. He also didn’t act like himself. He clearly didn’t feel well from the allergic reaction and medications administered. This time we were directed to follow up with an allergist and advised to get a prescription for epinephrine.

It was traumatic. I wanted to ensure that my sweet baby boy never felt or experienced this ever again. I had also learned that this allergy was life-threatening. Food could kill. That knowledge is life changing. It is a heavy load to carry for both the child and the caretakers or parents involved in that child’s well-being.

While I waited for our allergist appointment, I began searching the internet for as much information as I could get my hands on. That is where I learned about a local food allergy walk that was looking for someone to assist in fundraising. I enjoyed working with the food allergy community and engaging in support, education, and awareness. That led to me founding a statewide nonprofit, freelance writing for local publications, starting a blog and podcast, and now working with FAACT.

Years after his first reaction to peanuts, we found out that Stetson is also allergic to shellfish after a hands-on encounter at the local zoo’s stingray exhibit. Stetson is now 14 years old. I have enjoyed watching him learn, grow, and experience all that life has to offer. He lives a very active life, going to scouting camps and summer camps, traveling on cruise ships out of the country, going to friends’ houses, being on sports teams, and more.

My goal with FAACT is to help bring education, awareness, and advocacy to others living with food allergies, as well as support for them and their caregivers, so they too may live a full life.