We had the opportunity to talk with Super Bowl Champion, Jerome Bettis, about how he lives with a severe allergy which puts him at risk for anaphylaxis, and his new “Severe Allergy & Anaphylaxis Playbook” created to help others who live with it.
On and off the field success comes from preparation
The former Pittsburgh Steeler great, known as “The Bus“, has a football resume worthy of the Hall of Fame. NFL Rookie of the Year, 6x Pro Bowler, 3x All Pro, NFL Comeback Player of the Year, Walter Payton Man of the Year, and the NFL’s 6th leading rusher all-time.
With a resume like that, there are very few people who aren’t familiar with Jerome on the field. But what many people do not realize is off the field, Jerome lives with a severe allergy that puts him at risk for Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening type of allergic reaction.
Severe allergies hitting close to home
As a parent of three children with allergies, Jerome’s Playbook is something I want and need. Recently, our three-year old son was taken to the emergency room from complications resulting from allergies and asthma. He spent close to 48 hours there getting treatments under hospital care and supervision.
Our oldest children, now 12 and 7, had similar instances when they were younger, due to allergic reactions. One reaction caused our daughter, seven at the time, to swell all over, up to the point her eyes were closed shut. Think Will Smith in “Hitch”, only worse, and it being your seven year-old child.
Our seven-year old son’s reaction,when he was five, caused his throat to swell to the point where he could barely whisper. Needless to say, I know allergies are nothing to play with. And I know having a plan, or Playbook, to help avoid and address them is crucial!
Jerome’s story and his quest to help you
Below are some pieces of the interview, as well as the video of the full interview. Enjoy it as Jerome sits down with BMWK to discuss his allergy scare at age 15, his Playbook, and who he considers his “soul brotha #1.”
BMWK: Tell me about some of the symptoms of anaphylaxis and how you found out you had it? I believe you found out as a teenager correct?
I found out when I was 15 years old. I will never forget, I was eating shrimp fried rice at my aunt’s house. I got about halfway through and my throat closed up. And I was struggling to breath. I felt my throat itching in the back. It was such a strange feeling. My eyes started to water, and they turned red.
So I knew there was a problem. So we went right to the hospital, and they gave me an epinephrine shot. Then I was diagnosed with having a shellfish allergy. At that point, then came the diligence in making sure that never happened again.
BMWK: Our son had a reaction similar and we had to take him to the ER. How can your playbook, help families in situations like that?
That is the difficult part of the process. But there are some symptoms (listed) in the playbook that talk about it. When you are unaware that is the hardest part because you don’t know, you don’t know the necessary steps to take. And because of that, you don’t have the necessary medicines that you need, because you don’t know that they are allergic to that. But if you do know they are allergic to some things, then that is part of the process to knowing and understand, and the education part of it.
In that Playbook there is a lot of education, a lot of tips on different types of allergens, from medicines, to food, to grass, to different types of things they are allergic to. Through that Playbook I have developed my 5 top plays. That is what I use on a daily basis to manage myself.
- Avoid that allergen altogether. I’m always concious of what I’m puttin into my body. What is it made of? What’s the ingredients? How is it prepared? I’m asking those questions before it goes into my mouth
- Making sure I have my device with me all the time. When I say device, this is the actual device (shows his device). It’s called the Auvi-Q, and it is an epinephrine auto-injector. The neat thing about this device is it actually talks you through the process of injection. This is the actual device (shows device), and I have a trainer here (pulls out trainer device). This is the trainer that you practice with. Once I pull it, you can actually hear…(Trainer device says “this trainer contains no needle or drug”). It actually talks you through the process when that time comes. So, you have some piece of mind and understanding of where to stick yourself, on the outside of the thigh. It tells you that. It tells you to hold it for 5 seconds for the injection to be complete. It tells you the complete process that you need to use. That is really important. You see how small it is (shows device again). It fits right in my pocket, so I take it with me wherever I go.
- Have an action plan. When I go to the restaurant I’m telling the waiter, “Hey I’m allergic to shellfish.” I’m telling the chef, “I’m allergic to shellfish. Could you cook my food first? Or could you cook it in a different pan to make sure those allergens aren’t cross-contaminating my food?” So I’m really being proactive with that action plan.
- I’m practicing with this device. I’m making sure I’m comfortable with it. But I’m also making sure my wife is comfortable with it. So, in case she needs to administer the injection, she’s comfortable with doing that.
- Seeking immediate medical attention. In the event I need to use the device, afterwards I need to go right to the emergency.
BMWK: Playbooks are not given at the time of a game, but in advance so you can practice. One of the key things you said, “practice.”
Absolutely. And this device is so great. Especially for the caregivers, say when the kids are at school, and you’ve got to leave it at school. The fear is, well, maybe the caregiver is uncomfortable with administering the injection. Well this talks you right through that injection process, and makes everyone more comfortable with that procedure.
Where can people can get the Playbook and more information?
There is a website. The website is called Auvi-Q.com. You go there, (and) you can get the tips and information about the Playbook. But you can also get information about the device itself, if you want to learn more about that. (Note: The Playbook is available as a free download. Click this link to download your copy)
BMWK: If you don’t mind I’d love to ask you some football questions.
Sure!
(You’ll need to watch the video of the full interview below to hear our football talk, and find out who is Jerome’s “soul brotha #1.” Enjoy!)
BMWK family: What are you doing to help avoid allergens and be prepared in case of a severe allergic reaction?