This is a copy of the thank you letter I posted on the Hershey Lodge’s Facebook page back in April.
My family had just came back from another wonderful trip to Hershey Lodge in Hershey, PA. This vacation was different though. This time my son’s safety was constantly on our minds.
If people, places, or products go out of their way to help keep food allergy sufferers feel safe & not as isolated, go out of your way to thank them. They truly deserve it:
To whom it may concern:
My family and I stayed at the Lodge this past weekend. We have been to your hotel many times, but this was the first time we’ve come since my son was diagnosed with life-threatening food allergies in December 2014.
For the first time a trip to your hotel filled me with fear. I was panicking while I packed.
Would we be able to keep him safe?
Would your staff be educated on food allergy safety?
Would they be compassionate and treat us with respect?
The answer to all of these questions was yes.
I want to especially say thank you to Chef Mike and the entire staff of The Bear’s Den. They were very kind, and never rolled their eyes or complained about our situation, despite being very busy. Chef Mike even came out to talk to us to alleviate our fears. He sat with us and answered all of our questions, and explained how seriously he and his staff take food allergies. He explained how they have been addressing this situation for nearly 15 years, and explained some of the things they do to keep food allergy sufferers safe.
He and his staff handled the situation perfectly, and explained how we could even order room service safely. All chefs and restaurants & hotels should be so informed and so accommodating. In a world where there is hostility toward food allergy sufferers & resistance to change, your hotel was a welcome oasis, a much needed escape.
Dealing with food allergies on a daily basis is frightening, isolating, and exhausting. The amount of preparation and research involved is overwhelming to families of those who suffer. You never know if your child’s next bite of food will be their last. You try to do everything in your power to make sure it is not.
I cannot tell you how much Chef Mike and your hotel staff put me at ease.
We were even able to safely enjoy Hershey Park, and were thrilled at the addition of the allergen friendly fast food restaurant, The Outpost, as well as the listings of all allergen information.
You should all be commended for your attention and concern for those suffering from food allergies. We will be back often, and tell many others about our positive experience.
My son is only 4 years old, and is allergic to tree nuts, peanuts and sesame. He is starting to realize that these food allergies make him unable to participate in some of life’s pleasures.
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for making it possible for him to continue to take many pleasurable vacations to Hershey, PA, and to stay at your wonderful hotel that has become like a second home to us.
The sweetest place on Earth just got a little sweeter…..
Sincerely,
Kathy
Nuts About My Son
Republished with permission from the blog Nuts About my Son.
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