The Squeaky Wheel Gets the Grease

It's the last weekend of the summer of 2016, well according to the schools anyway.  The Patel's last hurrah and we are super excited to be doing it with five other families, one which we have never met. Vacations used to be the source of a lot stress and anxiety.

• What food will we pack for Jahan? 
• Will we have a kitchen?
• Have we considered all the precautions at the airport and on the airplane?
• What will he be able to eat at the restaurants? 
• Will the restaurants be able to accommodate his multiple allergies?
• Did I research all the restaurants and call ahead to speak with the chef and manager(s)? 
• How and when do we break it to the others in our group that they are important players in the game of keeping Jahan safe and reaction free? 
• Will they have stores nearby to restock should we need more Jahan safe food? 
• How close are the nearest fire stations, hospitals, etc. should he have a reaction?

And the list could go on and on - the squeaky wheel gets all the damn grease! What I mean by this is Jahan usually gets most of my attention in planning for a trip that often I forget something for Emrys - never fails me. 

There is zero margin for error. I, we, none of us can make a mistake.  This is a lot of pressure for people to carry. We are all much more comfortable with this process now because we do it all the time.  We includes not just Mehul and I. Our friends, our family, the school teachers, all are nothing short of amazing.  I am quite vocal, maybe to the point of being annoying, but everyone we associate with knows Jahan has allergies and while he is still young, it's everyone's duty to help keep him safe.  

My mantra for Jahan is that he may have a restricted diet, but he will not have a restricted life. We will actively participate in everything - Jahan goes to a group setting school, has a better social life than most 30-somethings, has stamps in his passport and will be going on his sixth vacation this summer.  Isolation does not work for us. Here is to an amazing reaction free weekend with wonderful people and not forgetting any of Emrys's things! Let the memory making begin!