In case you missed it, my first ever book has just been published. ‘The Reluctant Allergy Expert: How to kill the fear that allergies could kill you‘ is out now and packed with information, advice and tips on how to thrive despite living with or caring for someone with life threatening allergies.
[Ed: This book has been renamed and has a new cover…now called Anaphylaxis: The Essential Guide: An Action Plan For Living With Life-Threatening Allergies]
It’s available in both paperback and Kindle on Amazon. Click below to buy your copy:
The Reluctant Allergy Expert: How to kill the fear that your allergies could kill you(now called Anaphylaxis: The Essential Guide: An Action Plan For Living With Life-Threatening Allergies )
This is a massive achievement for me and I’m so proud. I have always dreamed of being a writer, ever since I was a small child and documented my aspirations in my teenage diaries. Sadly, then, I was not really encouraged to follow that dream and never had the confidence in my ability, but I got there in the end.
It was like a huge dose of therapy writing this book and I learnt so much through the writing process. It helped strengthen my own resilience and acceptance of being at risk from anaphylaxis and made me even more determined to be push for change. There are still so many people who just don’t understand how serious anaphylaxis can be which always amazes me.
As long as I’m still being asked questions like these I still have work to do:
So how bad is it really? What happens to you if you eat a peanut? How many nuts can you eat? A little bit is OK though isn’t it?
I really need people without allergies to stop saying they’re allergic, especially if they cement these misunderstandings above by claiming an allergy and then eating the milk laden pudding, taking an antihistamine before eating or explaining how they risk eating their allergens sometimes because it’s not that bad! Please educate yourself and stop doing this! Now! People are dying because we don’t take allergies seriously, especially in food service establishments.
Win your own copy…
I wanted to give something back to you guys as I know not everyone can afford to buy a book and many of you are struggling to make sense of your diagnosis. It is difficult to make that leap from finding out you could be at risk from anaphylaxis and learning to own it, live with it and feel totally confident to move forward in life positively. It can be overwhelming for both you and your child.
To be win a copy of The Reluctant Allergy Expert, please leave a comment below explaining why you think you would like a copy. I will choose a winner from the comments. Good luck everyone!
I can’t wait to see your comments 😉
Terms and Conditions apply. Only UK entries can win. One copy only to be won. Offer ends 31st July 2020. The winner will be chosen from comments /entries on this blog.
A book from a patient who lived with allergies for years must be more than a doctor’s prescription. And when it comes from the deliberate mind and kind soul of Miss Ruth, it must have calming and healing impact in every sentence. This book, I believe, is not only narration of her experiences with allergies and her sleepless nights from itching and scraching, it must exhibit and reflect her ever enduring and fighting spirits. A reader would certainly learn the way to live with and overcome fear of allergies if it ever happens to them.
Thank you so much Umar, what kind and lovely words. Thanks for your continued support.
I don’t want to win one – leave that for people who need to – just wanted to say: ‘whoop, whoop’ and congrats x
Thanks Micki – definitely a Whoop Whoop moment. Bought a bottle of prosecco to celebrate but so far all celebrations are solo! Although Michelle, Sally and I have zoomed! Planning a virtual book launch if I can get my head around what that might look like.
Your book sounds amazing and much needed!! I have two allergy kids, who have been diagnosed over a year ago and I still really struggle with their diagnosis. I find my anxiety crippling and I cannot let go of control as I don’t believe others can make them safe. We used to eat out loads, now we rarely do. I find it such a chore finding somewhere safe and then having to go through everything before we order. I’m often on the verge of a panic attack looking at menus and placing our order. I don’t find any fun in it anymore
Oh Rachel, I hear you. It is really rough and I don’t think there is enough support out there. You get a diagnosis and are kind of dropped into a pit of exploration and fear. It does get easier though I’m talking from an adult’s perspective, but I hope that gives you hope for your kids as the age. I can only imagine the need to keep them safe. I’ve been speaking with a friend about creating some resources and support groups, mindfulness coaching for parents and their children. It’s a long way off but watch this space. You are not alone! Are you on instagram? I find so much support there. And if lockdown and Covid19 has taught us anything it’s that we don’t have to go out because we can’t! Long live the picnic. Concentrate on staying safe and don’t stress about what you think you should be able to do and cope with. You just have to muddle your way through. But it should be possible to find some trusted establishments and get your kids to help you advocate for themselves when eating out. It’s a long journey. Keep watching for more…
I’ve also found this resource: https://www.facebook.com/freefromlimits/ and I know Vicki, she’s brilliant. I also know that Emma Amoscatto of FreeFrom Farm blog is thinking of running a programme to help parents and children to deal with anxiety. https://www.freefromfarmhouse.co.uk/
I would love to win this book for my daughter Sophie. She has been so accepting of her change in diet, rarely complains and now as a student showing her confidence in making suitable meals cakes and cookies ! I’m so proud of the way she deals with this
Well done on the book what a fantastic achievement x
Thanks Jacqui, she has a great role model in her mum! And an amazing advocate for awareness. Love what you’re doing to help educate the food service industry. It always seems like lives are lost after mistakes in restaurants and catering companies. Avoidable mistakes so keep on doing what you’re doing to drive change, inclusion and understanding.
hey, more on behalf of my daughter – now aged 19. she’s sometimes in denial about her various allergies. But she managed to go off my herself aged 18 to Colombia by herself. I’d like to give her a guide from someone who has gone through the ups and down of living with severe allergies.
All the best and hope the book is a great success 🙂
WOW Brave girl to travel to Columbia! I bet that was an experience of a lifetime. This time in her life is possibly the most challenging. Young people her age are the most at risk, I guess because they begin to take risks themselves and discover life without their parents. Lovely to hear from you, and good luck in the competition! At this rate I’ll end up giving everyone a book because I just can’t choose!
Congratulations, no doubt it will be amazing.
And I still suspect that a lot of the allergy “experts” (GPs, hospital doctors in emergency departments or paediatric clinics) don’t really get what it is like to live with a potentially severe food allergy, and give out all kinds of inappropriate or impossible advice.
Here’s to the amateur experts, especially the ones who speak up!
[PS not here for the prize]
Thanks Adrian, are you sure you don’t want to be in the draw? I hope it will help many and hoping to get doctors and dermatologists to recommend it too. I’m so proud of my book though. It looks so cool, I love the cover and title and just the whole thing… xxx
I simply just need your book.. ♥️
Everyone needs it! Apologies for not replying sooner but I just realised the competition has now ended and I’m just about to draw the winners from a hat. Good luck!
Ericka I can’t get hold of you. Can you get in touch with me please with your address or I may give the book to someone else. Thank you so much and well done on winning.
Ericka it was your name that came out of the hat! Well envelope. Please get in touch with me so I can post it to you. I can only post to the UK so hope you live here! Email me on ruth at whatallergy dot com! Not posting the real email as the bots just love that!
Hi
congratulations on your book
I suffer from facial eczema plus severe allergy’s for year now which has been quiet troublesome I feel that book would help me get better understanding on what I’m going through
Good luck to everyone who enters
Hi Lynn, allergies and eczema come hand in hand very often, they certainly did for me. I must write The Reluctant Eczema Expert fast I think!
I’m just drawing the winner out of a hat. Good luck guys! Fingers crossed!
Ericka won! Thanks so much all of you for entering and I’m so sorry I couldn’t give you all a copy. There is still a chance to enter to win a copy over on the Talk Health website. the link is shared above so good luck! If you want to buy a copy you can also find it on Amazon. Click here for the link https://whatallergy.com/anaphylaxis-essential-guide/