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Meet Your Neighbor: Nichole Flaharty
By Callie Thomas
A great majority of women often find it hard to pass up a little bling in their lives. Nichole Flaharty gets to surround herself with all things shiny through her jewelry business but also uses it to illuminate the message of an organization that is near to her heart and an integral resource for the Flaharty family.
It wasn’t until Nichole and Chris Flaharty began to introduce food to their infant sons Caelan and Nevan that they discovered both boys suffered from food allergies which could lead to anaphylaxis. As parents, they sought out doctors and experts on food allergens but also began to educate themselves on what they could do to keep their children safe. That’s when they found FAAN, The Food Allergy & Anaphylaxis Network. Here they were able to relate with other parents and children facing many of the same obstacles and obtain vital research, information and support.
The organization’s mission is to raise public awareness, provide advocacy and education and to advance research on behalf of all those affected by food allergies and anaphylaxis. Nichole and her family have been involved with FAAN for the past four years and actively participate in and assist the Vegas committee with the annual FAAN Walk for Food Allergy, which will be held this October 6th at the District at Green Valley Ranch. Each day, the Flaharty family learns of more people affected by food allergies, which reinforces their efforts and urgency to continue to educate, advocate and raise funds for FAAN. Nichole Flaharty gives us some insight about the devastating effects of these allergies on her family and how they are dealing with it and helping others.
Tell us about your first encounter with food allergies.
“We suffered the first food-related allergy experience when our oldest son Caelan was under the age of one. His little lip swelled so beyond normal size, it was terrifying. That incident was one of several trips to the ER for help. After a concrete diagnosis, it led us to understand that vigilance will encompass every aspect of our lives. Strict avoidance, knowledge and the use of emergency medicines is imperative.”
It must be a daunting task to safely feed your children and avoid these allergens.
“As we learned more, we got creative in the kitchen and found a multitude of choices. I’m happy to say we’ve successfully created, served and enjoyed many meals made with basic grocery ingredients and a few specialty products we find. We take great pride in serving safe, allergy friendly meals for our children at a dinner party or event in our home and have our non-allergic guests rave about it!”
How are you assisting at the annual FAAN Walk?
“We participate in the walk and assist the Las Vegas committee by coordinating efforts to help grow the event each year. The goal for the walk this year is $95,000 and my hope is that by supporting such community events it will increase the visibility of food allergies.”
Any tips you would give to other parents on ways to unplug and cope with the daily toll that allergens can place on a family?
“My husband and I make a date night to one of the many Vegas restaurants that serve fabulous food we don’t often get to have due to the children’s allergies. We love to try a new restaurant at least each month.”
What’s your recipe for de-stressing as a family?
“We all like to spend time outdoors, but we also turn on loud music in the house and dance like crazy with the kids. It makes us all laugh at ourselves and each other.”
