On Saturday Cody went to his first Cubs Game at Wrigley Field. This was a lot more complicated than it sounds. Here is why and how we took our severely peanut allergic child to a game at a peanut filled stadium.
Cody loves sports, especially baseball and hockey. We go to many sporting events with the understanding that we may need to move from our seats if someone is eating peanuts nearby. We usually scope out a place to stand or empty seats we can move to. We talk to him about what we are doing to set expectations and so he can learn.
Wrigley Field is different, though. It’s always packed, there are not many places to stand and it seems like everyone there eats peanuts. There are peanut shells everywhere.
Cody loves baseball and his favorite team is the Cubs. We visit family in Chicago every year and he has always wanted to go to a game at Wrigley. We have told him about the peanuts there and showed him pictures when Josh and I go to games.
Last year I wrote to the Cubs and asked if they would be willing to do a peanut controlled area at one game. We got a very nice response and some really cool Cubs stuff for Cody. They responded that it’s not something they are able to do in the stadium at this time. I wish they could, but I had no expectations and understand.
Last year at school Cody burst into tears when asked to draw the place he most wanted to visit. When his teacher asked what was wrong, he said he wanted to see the Cubs at Wrigley, but there are too many peanuts, so he can’t. We didn’t realize how sad he was about it.
Cody is six and he’s already very aware of, vocal and responsible about his allergies. We decided this year it was time to try. The main reason is because there is a new ticketed park area at Wrigley, so we knew we had a place to go.
We were all excited, but anxious also. We could tell Cody was anxious and a bit overwhelmed. We prepared him by telling him the plan. We brought our wipes, safe snacks and epinephrine injectors with us. We got to the game early, went to our seats and wiped them down.
Cody’s favorite player, Anthony Rizzo, was up to bat first. He hit a triple! We got to watch two innings before the people behind us started eating peanuts. We left our seats and went to the park where Cody was able to watch the game on a huge screen, hear the crowd cheer and play catch with his cousin. He had so much fun! Was it perfect and uncomplicated? No. Did we make the best of it and have a good time. Definitely!
After we got back, we asked Cody what he thought of Wrigley. He gave it a medium thumbs up. He said all the peanuts were a big thumbs down, but playing in the park and watching on the screen was a big thumbs up and it was “super fun!”
I know many wouldn’t agree with what we did. For us it’s important to teach Cody to navigate the world with his allergies, to learn how he can do things he wants to do, to learn also there are some things he can’t and that’s ok too.
