Washington -- Just What the Doctor Ordered

For most young people, the prospect of college means independence and adventure in a new environment.

For me, preparing for college four years ago meant surveying the surroundings and mapping out a battle strategy of sorts. I needed to do this because I have a life-threatening allergy to tree nuts, and being near a hospital can determine if I live or die.

At age 12 I nearly did die, in my father's arms, after I ate a mislabeled cookie that contained walnuts. Since then, my family and I had grown accustomed to managing my food allergy in Chicago. I had learned to survive with my allergy and still eat out with friends, attend social events and be a happy teenager.

However, going to college at American University, 700 miles from home, was uncharted territory.

I chose American because of an academic scholarship, a spot on a Division I swim team, its ideal location for someone interested in studying international affairs, and its proximity to Sibley Memorial Hospital. My college preparations included more than just shopping for shower caddies and bedding, though.

I spent much of orientation talking with staff members in the university's Disabilities Support Services office who took the lead in accommodating my allergy. They helped with my housing requests and put me in touch with the managers and chefs in the dining hall. Mom and I scouted places where I could eat on or near campus. I coordinated an emergency action plan with the university's public safety people. During my first week, I had the daunting task of introducing myself to my dorm mates as "the girl with the allergy," to ensure they would remember me and assist in an emergency.

This preparation paid off in February of my freshman year, when I had my only college reaction. Although I used the lifesaving epinephrine drug immediately, I was in respiratory failure when I reached the emergency room. A neighbor from the dorm, Liz Schnitter, stayed with me throughout the ordeal, and several of my swim teammates visited me in the hospital. I spent the night in the intensive-care unit. The excellent treatment I received from Sibley and the affection I received from those around me helped immeasurably.

Other than that one incident, I had a fulfilling social life of parties, excursions and dining out. One of the challenges of living with a food allergy is finding restaurants that are safe and cooperative. When eating out, I use a "chef's card" to explain my allergy to the wait staff, chef and manager. The card is a laminated index card that explains the severity of the allergy and lists the many tree nuts that will trigger a reaction. In the years that I have used this card I have experienced a wide range of responses from restaurant staff, including disbelief, concern, assistance or a simple, "We recommend you not eat here."

My experience in Washington was overwhelmingly positive.

I regularly ate at restaurants around campus and, for the most part, received excellent and courteous service. At many restaurants, such as Maggiano's in Friendship Heights, Pizzeria Uno in Georgetown and Morty's New York Deli in Tenleytown, the manager or owner would come over and say hello or make special arrangements for me. For a person who sometimes has to skip meals to ensure food safety, I found it was a treat to have these friendly people make an effort to understand and temporarily alleviate my burden.

Last month I graduated from American with degrees in international studies and history. Looking back on my time at American, it was a tremendous success, despite my food allergy. It was a pleasant surprise to be supported by everybody on staff at American, by my caring new friends, by the professional response of Sibley Hospital and by attentive restaurateurs.

For me, this town proved to be an excellent choice, not only for college but for peace of mind. Thank you, Washington.

-- Michelle Risinger

Washington

mr0157a@american.edu