Must See: Mom Teaches Two and Three-Year-Old Daughters to Use EpiPen (Video)

Chrisma Obiniana, a nurse from Washington state, first noticed symptoms in her daughter, Kalea, when she was just three months old. Despite being exclusively breastfed, Kalea suffered from severe head-to-toe eczema, cried constantly, and appeared extremely uncomfortable. Concerned, Chrisma sought medical advice, leading her pediatrician to recommend allergy testing for potential Cow’s Milk Protein Allergy (CMPA) or other food sensitivities.

Following the pediatrician’s advice, Kalea underwent skin prick and blood tests at an allergist’s office. The results revealed significant allergies to peanuts, cashews, and pistachios. Although Kalea also initially tested positive for dairy, soy, and egg allergies, she eventually outgrew those sensitivities. Chrisma realized her own diet was impacting her breastfed daughter and committed to eliminating all allergens for a year, which led to a dramatic improvement in Kalea’s well-being.

Chrisma told People Magazine:

I found out that the foods I was eating were causing all of her issues. I ended up cutting out all allergens from my diet for a year so I couldn’t continue exclusively breastfeeding, but she was a whole different baby after a few weeks,” Chrisma, 25, tells PEOPLE exclusively.

She has always been such a foodie and wants to eat everything and anything. The first holiday season where she was able to eat was horrifying. Being surrounded by homemade food that I couldn’t read the ingredients in, and the possibility that someone might feed her without checking with me, was difficult to manage.

Navigating life with severe food allergies presented significant challenges, especially during social events like holidays where food ingredients were often unknown. Chrisma recalls the anxiety surrounding potential accidental exposure. This experience motivated her to start educating her children early. She began teaching her older daughter about EpiPen usage at age three, and soon after, started instructing Kalea, then around one year old, about her specific allergies.

Chrisma implemented structured monthly lessons for both her daughters. These sessions focus on reinforcing Kalea’s understanding of her “NO foods,” the importance of asking before eating, identifying safe foods, knowing who to consult if unsure, and recognizing allergic reaction symptoms. Her older daughter learns about reading ingredient lists, while both practice locating and using the EpiPen trainer, with the older sibling’s participation helping to engage Kalea.

While Kalea, now two, has become proficient in the physical steps of using the EpiPen trainer, Chrisma notes the ongoing challenge is teaching her the appropriate context for its use. Currently, Kalea sometimes associates the EpiPen with any minor injury, asking for it when she gets an “owwy,” rather than solely for allergic reactions. Chrisma has shared aspects of their journey online, partly inspired by the support she found on platforms like TikTok.

Recently, a video Chrisma posted showcasing Kalea independently demonstrating the EpiPen trainer garnered significant attention, amassing over 350,000 views. Unlike a previous video featuring her older daughter which drew criticism about age appropriateness, this video received overwhelmingly positive and inspiring comments. Many shared their own childhood experiences or felt motivated to educate their own children, reinforcing Chrisma’s hope that Kalea will grow up feeling confident and knowledgeable about managing her allergies.

Chrisma advises other parents facing similar diagnoses to involve the entire family in the learning process, stating it made the journey feel less isolating and terrifying. This inclusive approach has built her confidence in handling situations like parties, restaurant visits, and school, knowing her daughters are equipped with the knowledge to stay safe. She offers encouragement, emphasizing that advocating for allergic children is crucial and that the initial overwhelming feelings will eventually ease as families adapt.

She said:

If you’re a parent feeling overwhelmed by a new food allergy diagnosis for your child, you are not alone! You’ll be able to go to birthday parties or restaurants one day without dreading it. You’ll be able to send your child off to school without worrying every second. Advocating for your kids does not make you a burden! It may seem like a whole world away, but it will come!

We congratulate Chrisma for teaching and her daughters for learning the fundamentals.

That said, we want to remind you that an epinephrine auto-injector like EpiPen should be administered on the outside of the thigh, not the top/front, and that you should not use your teeth to remove the blue cap.

Let us know your thoughts about Chrisma’s approach in the comments section below.