MAP offers unique support for people with food allergies, focusing on mental health, education, and holistic care.
Living with food allergies is more than just avoiding triggers or taking medication. For many, it’s a battle that touches every corner of their life—mentally, socially, and emotionally. Enter More Allergies Please (MAP), a groundbreaking initiative founded by Sarah Abbatangelo, a social worker with personal experience navigating the complexities of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS), asthma, and IgE food allergies.
Sarah’s journey into building MAP was born from her own struggles with allergies and her recognition of a glaring gap in traditional medical care. While doctors often focus on physical symptoms, the mental and social toll of living with allergies is frequently overlooked. MAP was created to bridge this gap, providing education, support, and mental health resources to those managing allergies. Through MAP, individuals are empowered to take control of their health in all aspects, not just through medicine, but through therapeutic practices that address the emotional challenges of living with allergies.
The Beginnings of MAP: A Personal Mission
Sarah Abbatangelo has lived with severe allergies her entire life. Diagnosed with multiple conditions, including MCAS and asthma, she experienced firsthand the overwhelming frustration of feeling unheard by traditional healthcare systems. With allergies often regarded as simply physical conditions to be “managed,” the psychological and social impacts were rarely acknowledged.
“It’s okay to be afraid of the journey, but you need to be present with yourself so you can be there for yourself,” Sarah quotes from renowned physician Gabor Maté, whose work in trauma and emotional healing resonates deeply with her mission. It was this personal connection to the often overlooked mental health side of managing allergies that led Sarah to start MAP, aiming to provide the kind of holistic care she felt was missing.
Filling the Gap in Allergy Care
Unlike conventional allergy treatment, which often stops at medical advice and prescriptions, MAP emphasizes the mental and emotional aspects of allergy management. According to Sarah, when most people are diagnosed with allergies, they receive a prescription and instructions, but no guidance on how to cope with the stress, anxiety, and isolation that often accompany a life marked by food allergies.
MAP is unique because it recognizes that allergies are not just about avoiding allergens—they’re about learning to live life fully despite the limitations allergies can create. The platform offers digital products that educate individuals on managing their allergies while maintaining mental and social well-being. These resources teach people how to navigate everyday challenges like finding allergist-approved foods, handling social events, and dealing with the anxiety of traveling or dining out.
The Turning Point: Recognizing the Need for Support
Sarah realized that, despite advances in allergy medicine, many patients were still struggling emotionally and socially. For individuals with food allergies, simple tasks like going to school, work, or a restaurant can be daunting. The stigma of “being difficult” or “high-maintenance” can add to the mental strain. The fear of triggering a reaction or being misunderstood by peers, colleagues, or even family members can be isolating.
MAP’s goal is to not only provide information but to offer a sense of community and support, something Sarah found to be sorely lacking. “We don’t just want to treat symptoms; we want to empower people with the tools to lead fulfilled lives despite their allergies,” she says. Whether it’s offering coping techniques for stress or helping clients navigate relationships and public spaces, MAP has positioned itself as a unique resource in the allergy community.
How MAP Stands Out
What truly sets MAP apart from traditional healthcare options is Sarah’s unique perspective. As someone who has lived with severe allergies and MCAS her entire life, she brings a level of empathy and understanding that’s rare in the medical field. In addition to her personal experiences, Sarah’s professional background as a social worker gives her the tools to provide therapeutic techniques that address the emotional side of living with allergies.
“I’ve had a lifetime of navigating allergies,” Sarah reflects. “And I know how important it is to address both the physical and emotional challenges of these conditions. MAP provides a space where people can learn how to not only survive but thrive.”
MAP’s future growth plans include expanding to provide therapy services for New York residents and one-on-one coaching for people outside the state. This expansion will allow Sarah and her team to support even more individuals, guiding them through the emotional complexity of managing allergies.
The Road Ahead: Expanding MAP’s Reach
Sarah is committed to making MAP an integral part of the way we think about allergies. In the future, MAP plans to offer tailored therapy sessions, peer support groups, and individual coaching to ensure people with food allergies don’t just live in survival mode—they can thrive and build meaningful, fulfilling lives.
“Helping people understand that their journey with allergies doesn’t have to be one of isolation or fear is the heart of what we do,” Sarah explains. With MAP’s growth, the hope is to break down the barriers that often leave individuals with allergies feeling unsupported and overwhelmed.
MAP’s Vision: A Future of Holistic Allergy Care
With its innovative approach to allergy care, MAP is reshaping how society views and supports individuals with allergies. While most medical systems focus on physical symptoms, MAP is one of the few organizations taking a holistic approach, addressing the mental and social challenges of living with food allergies. It’s this unique blend of education, emotional support, and community-building that sets MAP apart and positions it as a leader in a field that’s too often overlooked.
As Sarah looks toward the future, she remains focused on her mission: empowering people with allergies to live fully and confidently. “We’re not just about managing symptoms,” Sarah says. “We’re about helping people take control of their health—emotionally, socially, and physically.”
If you or someone you know is living with allergies and looking for a comprehensive support system, visit More Allergies Please today to explore the digital resources and upcoming coaching services that could change the way you live with food allergies.
Connect with More Allergies Please:
- Website: More Allergies Please
- Instagram: @moreallergiesplease2.0
- Facebook: More Allergies Please
- Pinterest: More Allergies Please
- Substack: Sarah Abbatangelo’s Substack
