Lisa Borden created Borden Communications, a highly passionate, hyper-focused, common-sense business development + marketing firm in Toronto in 1994. As a founding Canadian B Corp, Lisa and her small team specialize in business development and marketing communications for leading and start-up conscious brands, and personalities, and use transparent strategies for brand management and socially responsible messaging with proven success.  Some of Lisa’s favourite titles include: Strategist + Catalyst, mother of 3, Enthusiastic Philanthropist, Inspiration Agent, and Wannabe Organic Farmer.

Mediaplanet: Can you explain the daily obstacles you face having a child with allergies?

Lisa Borden: Existing within our society. It’s a social thing. It’s about relating to others. I believe that’s the hardest thing. I know that my daughter’s activities and social activities have always been limited because of her food allergies. As a teenager now, it is more challenging for her, and scarier for me as she is more independent and is going to parties and on school trips etc. But, as parents, it’s all about giving your child the confidence to deal with these barriers.

Read about the daily obstacles in my daughter Joey’s own words in this interview: http://bordencom.com/home/2016/12/iwm-joey-storm-2/

MP: What are some immediate effects that you and your family felt after cutting out chemicals from your home environment and daily life?

LB: Most importantly was that my daughter’s breathing was better, and her skin cleared up significantly – very quickly! However, I would say the most important result was how it empowered me to learn more about healthier living and make more dramatic changes – immediately.

MP: What would you recommend to a busy parent who is considering the switch to chemical-free?

LB: Just do it. Start now.“Busy” is definitely one of our bigger excuses as a society. The fact is that “cleaning up” your home and life might seem inconvenient in the very short term, but it is a very worthwhile investment as you will be saving money, time and your health (plus the world!).

My 30 best tips with resources to clean up your home: http://bordencom.com/home/2017/03/30-simple-things-i-do-to-have-a-clean-and-healthy-home/

MP: How can the community, as a whole (schools, restaurants, airlines, etc.), better cater to food allergies, in your opinion?

LB: Living with an allergy can be really tough – and trying, certainly for kids. Understanding and empathy is everything (like with any other challenge anyone might face). Kindness and clear, honest communication in every direction is key. But, ultimately, it’s up to us as parents, and those living with the allergies to shoulder the responsibility, make our own best choices, be prepared in case of emergency, and work as a team to affect reasonable change in our society to keep our kids safe.

MP: Can you provide a piece of advice to parents who have recently had a child diagnosed with allergies?

LB: Be kind to yourself, be patient and be honest with yourself and others. The learning curve once diagnosed with allergies can be challenging in so many ways, and it is critical to be curious and learn so much, so quickly - join online communities, surround yourself with those who are supportive, and avoid the “energy vampires” in your life that might deplete you or not take the transition or your family’s life with allergies seriously. Make good, healthy and safe choices, and always be prepared in case of emergency.

When my daughter was first diagnosed with her allergies, I created http://nonutsplease.com/ as a solution to her feeling like she was the only one with an allergy. It worked, and continues to, and my daughter, now 15, is taking it on as her own project to help younger kids.