My journey with allergies (as well as asthma) started 15 years ago when I met my husband. My late mother-in-love as well as my husband are asthmatic, brought about by allergies. However, 8 plus years ago when our daughter was born, my understanding of allergies was taken to a whole new level, as she had colic for 9 months and 2 weeks after her birth the paediatrician started me on an elimination diet, for her presumed allergies.

The first time she was tested for allergies was before the age of one, and throughout the years tested positive for milk, soy, egg, preservatives, food dye, food flavouring, protein found in animal saliva/sweat (includes dogs, cats, horses, and any animal with fur), dust mites as well as household products including laundry detergent, body wash, shampoo, toothpaste, sunblock, makeup etc. 

I am glad to say that she has outgrown many of the above, but we are still currently dealing with her dust mite, animal protein and household products allergies as well as an intolerance to food dyes and preservatives. In 2022 she was also diagnosed with low IgG3 counts as well as viral-induced asthma. This opened a whole new chapter of learning how to deal with her body’s compromised immune system and managing childhood asthma.

Many years and tests later we have a wonderful doctor who has gone above and beyond helping us on this path. That together with our many years’ experience of allergies, has helped us establish our own “normal” allergy friendly life and our daughter is no longer just surviving, she is thriving.

Reminiscing about the earlier allergy years, I remember feeling anxious, confused, totally overwhelmed, and not having any idea how to juggle her allergies, life, and society at first.

I had so many unanswered questions, out of date leaflets stuffed in my hands, anxiety that later led to PTSD, as I carried the burden that her health and safety was in my hands. “Normality” was turned upside down and mentally and physically it drained all the energy I had. However, through faith, prayer, experience, knowledge, our support structure and brilliant medical professionals, somewhere within the last few years we reached a place of peaceful co-existence with our household’s allergies.

Managing my own family’s allergies and supporting other families on the same journey, I really do know what it’s like to navigate and live with the demands of food and other allergies daily. Helping families in the same situation and truly understanding the impact of allergies on all spheres, has become my absolute passion.

My background includes honours degree in Psychology, Play Therapy Master’s degree and completing my certification in Food Allergy Coaching for Mental Health professionals through the Allergy and Asthma Network of America in 2022. All this preparing me even further to live out my Allergy Coaching passion to the fullest.

My allergy journey started as pain, changed into passion and became my purpose, and this is reflected in my slogan, “where passion meets purpose”. Through Allergy Coach SA, I aim to create a compassionate space in which clients feel heard, seen, understood, empowered, and guided so that they, and/or their allergic child and family can live their most fulfilled life.