Teal Pumpkin Project

I am a fan of the Teal Pumpkin Project, a way of helping North Americans branch out beyond the typical sugary treats for Halloween and offer small toys (rings, stickers, etc.) instead. It was established as a way to raise awareness about food allergies.

I have a relative with Celiac Disease. My husband rushed his best friend to the ER after accidentally introducing him to a tasty dessert made with tree nuts a few years back. I get how serious food allergies are. So I celebrate the Teal Pumpkin Project for what it is, but I must point something out.

For more information, visit http://www.foodallergy.org/home

THE TEAL PUMPKIN PROJECT IS FOR MORE THAN JUST FOOD ALLERGIES.

My son doesn't eat much by mouth. He's now old enough to care about trick or treating. We could keep him inside (and when I see the sniffling kids at overly crowded Halloween events, I'm tempted) but we instead drag him around to all the houses where he gets suckers and candy bars and gum balls... things he won't be able to eat for several years. The candy goes to his sisters and he gets, well, nothing.

THE TEAL PUMPKIN PROJECT HELPS "TUBIES."

"Tubies" is a nickname for people with feeding tubes. Cute (or ridiculous?) nickname aside, I know I'm not the only parent out there that will be looking at the Teal Pumpkin map to see if there are any homes that will have something besides food for my feeding tube child.

I'm not related to any child with diabetes mellitus, but I'm sure the same goes for these kids.

THE TEAL PUMPKIN PROJECT HELPS CHILDREN WITH DIABETES MELLITUS.

THANK YOU, Teal Pumpkin folks, for making the world a more welcoming place.

Who else benefits from this movement? Leave your comments/thoughts below.