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NASK IN NIAGARA Butterfly Bush planting in honour of Sabrina Shannon and Sabrina’s Law, Welland, Ontario  NASK THANKS THE NIAGARA COMMUNITY NASK thanks our local political and public health leaders who had encouraged and supported NASK in pursuing the path that led to Sabrina’s Law being enacted in Ontario. “Thank you” certificates were presented by 9 year old Riley Raso and his 6 year old sister, Sierra to: 1. MPP Jim Bradley 2. MPP Kim Craitor 3. MPP Peter Kormos (represented by Malcolm Allen) 4. Mike Zettel - Journalist – Niagara This Week 5. Dr. Robin Williams represented by Gloria Morris - Manager, School Nurses, Niagara Public Health Department 6. Bernie Villamil, Stamford Centre Volunteer Firemen’s Association  Without your early support, Ontario’s world-leading legislation would not have been made possible. Every September, we are reminded of the positive impact Sabrina’s Law has had. Effective January 2006, Ontario schools became safer for allergic students. Lives have already been saved. When a reaction happens, knowledge and seconds count. Truly, you have helped to “Keep Dreams Alive.”
Congratulations to Mindi Ferkul, First Place winner in the Allergic Living poetry contest, 2008 “Collective Impressions” I am buoyed things are running smoothly on time we fly out the door on to our errands galore surprise, there’s grandma with fresh, baked love just for grandson(s) he beams she beams trusted recipe book in hand lay open to show secret ingredients as she stands no nuts? I ask as we fly, fly to the car “no” she says knowing our plight but forgets… I clutch with grateful thanks in mid-flight with long-legged strides bags in flight behind running late quick love hugs music class awaits he patiently waits ‘til after supper for his long-awaited treat I take the taste test just in case tho’ apparently its ok with fated green-light he takes flight and digs in with all his might! Marshmallow dreams chocolate perhaps ‘what’s that other taste’ his body reacts? moments later his lips they swell he cries “Mama, I don’t feel so well” I see his face I reel backwards vortex disbelief from backwards to forward I leap run call what exactly were ingredients word for word at all? all I heard through panic, fear is “this… that…” then “peanut butter” slow-motion impressions of events that follow… feel I dropped the phone I cry out loud the name of poison “find the Epi!” we stumble we fumble we rummage too slow it feels by now he’s ill vomiting crying screaming by all 3 it seems? He withers, squirms as we try holding him (down) to get the adrenaline inside something went wrong? What? It’s rendered wasted? quickly grab the second epi thankful we have it somewhere amidst we call 911 arrive so fast grateful, 2 minutes or less Grandma’s here now shaken with fright visceral pain from innocent delight paramedics amass like angels voices of calm safety renewing our strength everything we needed panic subsides (just a little) as we enter the ambulance neighbours watch red sirens awash tree-lined streetscape children flash peace my son sees through the rear window vomits anew alas that’s good sad scared get it all out, his intruder, he should wheelchair into emerg groggy now on the verge the hospital monitor we hear beeps he finally drifts to sleep watch a while send us home late we hug, release... (I quietly cry for weeks) …Learn, move on, appreciate those deeply-rooted impressions of late he awakens the next day with a smile and fills our life with a new day of love long as a mile. - M. Ferkul, St. Catharines, Ontario |
