From Sleepovers to College: Coaching your Food-Allergic Child to Independence
FARE Webinar for Food Allergy Basics
It may seem overwhelming to imagine your child ever being independent enough to survive outside your watchful eye. However, some of us have been there, done that, and our food-allergic children are thriving in college and beyond. Learn some helpful tips from our years of experience.
It’s all about:
- #Prepare
- #Plan
- #Proceed
About the Presenter
Denise A. Bunning is an educator, support group leader and advocate who actively works to improve the lives of children with or without food allergies. A former elementary school teacher, Denise earned a BA in Early Childhood/Special Education from Boston College, an MSED in Special Education from Northern Illinois University, and a CAS in School Administration from National Louis University.
In 1997, Denise co-founded MOCHA (Mothers of Children Having Allergies) – a support group for food-allergic families. Denise served on the committee tasked with authoring the guidelines for the management of life-threatening food allergies in Illinois schools. She recently co-authored The Food Allergy Experience with Dr. Ruchi Gupta. Denise serves on the Board of Directors for Food Allergy Research & Education (FARE). She is also on the Founders’ Board of Lurie Children’s Hospital in Chicago, and the Women’s Board of Northwestern Lake Forest Hospital.
The Bunnings have two sons who are affected by food allergies. Bryan (23) has life-threatening allergies to tree nuts, and also has asthma. Daniel (20) has life-threatening allergies to milk, tree nuts, fish, and shellfish and also has Eosinophilic Esophagitis, a digestive disorder related to food allergies, which has required a gastric tube for much of Daniel’s nourishment.