Jo Frost, who starred on the reality TV show Supernanny from 2005 to 2011, has detailed her experience with a life-threatening condition in order to raise awareness around it.
She got vulnerable on social media
In an Instagram post on Saturday, July 12, Frost detailed her experience with anaphylaxis, a life-threatening allergic reaction that can affect the entire body.
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“I have survived more anaphylactic shocks than I’m prepared to go into detail about right now,” she said.
Frost detailed experiencing anaphylaxis
“I have anaphylaxis, a life-threatening medical condition to certain foods that will compromise my body so horrifically to the point of hospitalization,” she shared.
The 55-year-old went on to say that she wanted to share her experience with the medical condition as it affects ‘millions’.
It’s a common condition in the US
The Allergy and Asthma Network reports that approximately 51% of adults and 42% of children in the US have food allergies severe enough to cause anaphylaxis.
“Absolute millions of my community around the world, children and adults, live cautiously and anxiously navigating this journey with not nearly enough compassion, education and empathy from those who do not,” Frost noted.
Frost put the severity of the condition plainly
“Today, everyone will know someone or someone who knows of one with anaphylaxis,” the former TV star said.
She added that with the severity of the condition, ignoring it would mean putting her life in danger. “I’m unapologetic for my medical condition,” Frost went on.
She pointed out how much it affects her
“But it does impact how I live my life daily, like the precautions I take, the energy I have to use to discern with hypervigilance whether you do know what you’re talking about when you’re in a restaurant or just winging it because you can’t be asked to go to the back of the kitchen and truly ask the chef,” Frost said.
It’s a high maintenance condition for Frost
“It means your ‘it may contain’ labels are a consistent truth that you dodge accountability legally and put your greed before my safety,” she added.
“I’m not looking to be special, I’m looking to be treated with the same dignity and attentiveness as you just showed others,” Frost went on.
The expert caretaker also pointed out how dangerous it is for people to make fun of those with food aversions.
Frost doesn’t want people to comment on her food habits
“I don’t need your mumbling insults, your passive aggressive comments or your ignorance, just your need to be willing to learn, educate your staff, change your policies, menus, workspaces, school training, event spaces for all to champion children who are all ours really in this world. And show empathy and understanding to each other,” she said.
She called for people to educate themselves
Concluding her message on the condition, she urged her followers to educate themselves and others about it.
“There are many doing great work about anaphylaxis, get curious and learn more because really, as we mentioned before, we all know someone,” she concluded.