Educational Media Reviews Online

A severe food allergy is a very serious medical condition which, in some cases, can lead to anaphylactic shock and death. This is what happened to Sabrina Shannon, a 13-year-old from Canada. As she was dying, her mother promised her that she would work to ensure that this did not happen to any other children.

This documentary film features a variety of speakers, but especially Sabrina’s mother Sara, her father Mike, and her aunt. Photos and video of Sabrina are shown at the beginning, as well as a re-enactment of the day she went into anaphylactic shock at school after eating French fries that had been cross-contaminated.

The bulk of the film follows Sara as she meets with government officials in Ontario and works with other groups, especially parents, in Canada and the United States. Through a contact initiated by Sabrina’s aunt, Sara meets Robert Kennedy, Jr., who has a son with severe food allergies.

To date, Sara’s efforts have resulted in a law passed in Ontario in 2005, called “Sabrina’s Law,” which states that schools must have a plan in place and proper training for this type of emergency. Her efforts continue as she writes, talks, and meets with other people and lawmakers.

This very moving story is enhanced by the understandably emotional recollections of Sabrina’s family and friends. Clips from the radio show and web site that Sabrina and her aunt began to raise allergy awareness are bittersweet.

Audiences for this film include parents and policy makers. Teachers and college students in education programs would also benefit. Public libraries may want to include this video in their collections for general audiences. Anyone who views this film will never make light of food allergies again.