Boy who takes his own cake – and an EpiPen – to parties

FRIENDS’ parties and school discos aren’t much fun for nineyear-old Jake Heawood. Born with a catalogue of severe allergies, including to nuts, eggs and pollen, every social outing is potentially dangerous. He also suffers from asthma, making sports games with friends challenging, too. ‘If he’s going somewhere I always make sure he has his EpiPen and a snack with him,’ says his mother Gemma, 29. Jake’s unfortunate condition is hardly surprising, given his family history. Gemma, from Dorset, has suffered the same allergies all her life. ‘It was pretty miserable growing up,’ she recalls. ‘When out with my friends, I would have to make do with carrot sticks or just not eat at all.’ Now a businesswoman, Gemma says she is still often mistaken for being a picky eater.

‘People think I am making it up because I don’t like certain foods, but I can’t risk eating what the others are. I am anaphylactic to peanuts and, if I eat eggs, I get violently sick.’

But, according to Gemma, Jake – pictured right – is lucky to grow up in a time when we’re more aware of allergies than ever before – a stark contrast to her experience.

She says: ‘It’s much better now than when I was growing up. You can order egg-free cakes – that was never an option when I was younger.

‘If Jake’s going to a party, I’ll speak to the parents beforehand about what food they are serving, and if there’s an issue I’ll bake him a little egg-free cake.’

As for Gemma, her food repertoire has now expanded far beyond carrot sticks and empty plates.

‘I still encounter issues, but overall – now that restaurants and takeaways are actually held accountable – I feel more confident trying different food.

‘I only had my first takeaway curry two years ago and, thankfully, my local chip shop now serves egg-free batter.’ WELL PREPARED: Jake Heawood with his EpiPens