Inspired by his son and the challenges families often face in everyday settings, including school, Ken created Parent Teacher Path, a website to house helpful information for parents needing resources and tools for support and advocacy with schools.
We spoke with Ken about his family’s journey with FPIES, resources they found to be helpful along the way and how their experiences helped in developing Parent Teacher Path in this 3-part blog post series.
Blog #1: Our Family’s Journey With FPIES
Our journey with FPIES was long, confusing, and emotionally exhausting.
We visited countless doctors and hospitals searching for answers, often leaving with more questions than clarity. For a long time, it felt like we were navigating something few people truly understood.
Our son was eventually diagnosed with FPIES. He reacted to fruits, grains, and vegetables — foods most people consider safe.
Beyond food and FPIES, he had further challenges because he was also extremely sensitive to perfumes, shampoos, and soaps, making everyday environments unpredictable. These sensitivities went beyond smell or exposure. Our son had tactile reactions — when he touched things in his environment, he would often develop rashes. His skin was extremely sensitive. Even using a shampoo or soap could result in a rash.
Because of all of this, our lives shifted completely. My wife stayed home to ensure his safety, carefully managing every detail of his day. For a time, feeding was frightening. Social situations were stressful. Leaving the house required constant planning and vigilance.
The emotional toll was heavy — trying to explain a rare diagnosis while protecting a child who depended on us entirely.
Despite all the struggles and hardships, our son is thriving. Today, he is no longer allergic or sensitive to most foods or environmental triggers. While he still has challenges with one or two foods, he is, for the most part, a happy, confident 12-year-old.
This 3-part blog post series was written by Ken. Ken is the founder of Parent Teacher Path and has spent over 20 years as an educator, working with students across a wide range of needs—from learning disabilities to autism, ADD, and ADHD. Learn more about Parent Teacher Path by visiting the website: Parent Teacher Pathhttps://parentteacherpath.com/
Next up: Blog #2: The Resources That Supported Our FPIES Journey (coming soon)
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