For the Love of the Epi Pen

It seems like when you have young children everywhere you turn some product or brand is competing for their attention. As a parent, I have deliberately guarded the things to which I let my children be exposed.

It's inevitable, though, in today's society that something will capture their attention and imagination. It is just the world live in today.

In our home, one thing that is adored is an Epi Pen!

An Epi Pen has accompanied Tyler everywhere he has gone since he was 13 months old. Since its arrival in our home nearly four years ago, we have made many memories. Some good and some bad. But all of them have been with an Epi Pen within arm's reach.

So it should have come as no shock to me that Tyler has grown to love it as dearly as some as of his favorite cartoon characters.

And, really, the company has done a great job of marketing to my family. Between our charity work with the Food Allergy and Anaphylaxis Network and my role as a support group leader in the Detroit area, our family has been on the receiving end of a few promotional products from the company.

But, Tyler's love of the product and the logo itself still baffles me!



At our last appointment with our allergist, Tyler noticed one of the logos in his office. He got terribly excited, saying "Look Mommy, Epi Pens! I love Epi Pens!"

The nurse got quite a kick out of it and gave him a new holder for his Epi Pens. As you might have guessed, it has the logo. And, as you also might have guessed, it is very, very loved by Tyler.



But I like this thing, too. Check it out the inside that holds all of his allergy "stuff."


My favorite part is the hook there on the side. I just clip it on my purse and it doesn't actually take up room inside my purse (that's prime real estate in there!)



Only in our home would Cookie Monster get a ride in an Epi Pen backpack.


And only in our home would my three-year-old (who has no food allergies) look lovingly at his brother's Epi Pens and ask me, "Mommy, where are my Epi's?"

(The picture below is Dylan sporting Tyler's old medical alert bracelet around the house. I call it ""Medical Alert Bracelet Envy." And, yes, only in our house!)



I told Dylan he did not need Epi Pens and that fact was a very good thing. But he still seemed sad. He does, however also have 2 Epi Pen shirts just like Tyler. They come down to his knees (he sleeps in one with sweatpants) but he loves it just like Tyler does.

And, when I think about, I love those little annoying "I wish I didn't have to lug these things around" shots. Because they are about much more than just a fun brand from which we get promotional items. Those two shots could save Tyler's life.

Come to think of it, I think I love those shots, too!


Note to the Epi Pen company: If you are giving away promotional laptops or cookware, this food allergy mom is accepting!! I promise you will not hear one word of complaint. That is, of course, unless Cookie Monster insists on taking a ride in them...