Food Allergy Support Group Meetings: New Season for New England Chapter of AAFA

For those of you in Massachusetts, 2 educational support group meetings for the New England Chapter of AAFA have been scheduled so far this season, with more to come! Check their website for the details. There are several regional support groups and you  may find one in your area. The groups meet approximately once per month.

I am copying and pasting from the AAFA New England site. Please check their site for up-to-date info!

"METRO-BOSTON ALLERGY & ASTHMA SUPPORT GROUP
Newton, MA 
Meets 7:00 p.m. at Newton-Wellesley Hospital, 2014 Washington st., Newton MA (one quarter mile from the intersection of Routes 16 & 128 (I-95 – Exit 21/21A at Route 16 East (Washington St .)
Leader:  Sharon Schumack
Medical Advisor: Curtis Moody , MD
FALL 2015 
Thursday, Sept. 17, 2015
(Note: This group traditionally has met on Tuesdays, but this month will meet on a Thursday.)
“First Month of School and Child Care: Share Your Tales of Frustration and Success”
This will be an “open forum” meeting for parents of children with food allergies and asthma, to talk over your issues and challenges and strategize about how to handle them. Spend an evening building community and learning from others who share your concerns. We’ll bring along some books and other resources from the AAFA New England library."


"NORTHWEST SUBURBAN BOSTON AREA
Lexington, MA 
Meets 6:45 p.m. at Beth Israel and Children’s Hospital Medical Care Center, 482 Bedford St. , Lexington , MA .
Directions:  Rt. 128, take exit 31B (“Bedford, Rts. 4 & 225”). Get in right lane to make “Jug handle” U-turn,  then turn into parking lot.
Leaders:  Laurel Francoeur, Heather Tighe
Medical Advisor:  Ana Dioun Broyles, MD
FALL 2015

Monday, Sept. 21, 2015
“Back to School with Food Allergies and Asthma”
What challenges are you facing this school year? What good approaches have worked well for you that you could share with others? Your concerns will shape the agenda. There will be short presentations on how to work effectively with your child’s school, followed by lots of time for discussion. Presenters are pediatric nurse and asthma educator June Mayo and support group leader Laurel Francoeur, author of “How to Advocate for Your Food Allergic Child: A Manual for Getting What Your Child Needs at School” and templates for individual health care plans (www.greenlaureldocuments.com). Both are parents with years of experience as advocates for their own children with food allergies and asthma."