Red Sneaker Day Spotlight: Emily Reed

Red Sneaker Days provides a “day” when everyone wears their red sneakers/shoes (or anything red) and participates together to raise awareness for the dangers of food allergies. The goal is not only to increase education and awareness to the communities of those suffering with food allergies, but just as importantly, to educate those who are not directly affected by them.

Emily brought food allergy awareness to her son’s pre-school by hosting a Red Sneaker Day at Valley Christian Preschool. Emily’s son, George, has food allergies to peanuts, treenuts and eggs. Since George’s diagnoses, Emily has taught him how to advocate for himself as well as educate others.

As a way to help advocate for food allergy awareness, Emily authored a book called Big, Brave Voice: Advice for Children Living With Food Allergies. The book features George as one heroic dude learning to find his big, brave voice living with his allergies. But George is brave and smart. He learns the things to do and the questions to ask to keep himself, and his body, safe.

Emily read the book to each preschool class at George’s school to help them learn about food allergies. Each student participated by wearing red or red sneakers, an RSFO food allergy awareness bracelet and RSFO sticker. Each student’s family also received RSFO “Know the Symptoms of Anaphylaxis” cards. Even preschoolers can learn about food allergies and how to keep their friends safe!

Read the full news article here https://www.chagrinvalleytoday.com/eedition/page_ba9cc58e-6e16-5197-a620-7214f590c75a.html