Benjamin on Birthdays

Benjamin (the nine-year-old inspiration behind Divvies) steps up to the plate on birthdays.

What's Great About Birthdays

One of the best things you can do as a kid is to get together with friends and just hang out. Birthdays are perfect reasons to get together.

Things I Really Like at a Birthday Party

I love Pinatas. You never know what’s in them. My mom gets the unfilled ones and then stuffs them with unexpected stuff like small toys and gadgets. It’s fun when it’s not just all candy. But, if I’m at someone’s party and end up with candy I’m allergic to, I just trade it for something I can eat.

My Idea of a Great Birthday Party

The best party would be a New York Mets baseball party. All my friends would be together. No one would be discussing my food allergies or making comments. We would all go to a Mets baseball game and the chefs at the stadium would totally know how to make all the foods that my friends and I love to eat.  After the game, we’d have a sleep over in a tent and I’d pass around safe treats -- like Divvies. It would be so much fun because we would all be eating the same food and everyone would be eating food they love.

What I Know Now That I am Nine, That I Didn’t Know When I Was Five

When I was little, I thought it wasn’t fair that I had food allergies and didn’t like being at birthday parties when it came to eating. As I have gotten older, I can handle attending birthday parties without my parents and communicating about my food allergies and what needs to be done with food in order for me to be safe. I still get frustrated when everyone can eat something I can’t have. But I just take a deep breath and break out food my mom has sent along with me to the party that everyone can enjoy. Bringing something that everyone likes to eat and everyone can share...that really makes me feel great.