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About the Author
Michelle's Story
Michelle Flanagan is truly unique in that she has suffered with, and healed herself of Anaphylaxis—an ‘incurable’ allergy that can lead to death. Not only did she live with the condition for over three decades, she has also lived without it since 2006.
Michelle reached a health crisis when she was only thirty-five years old, faced with the threat of cancer and Grave’s disease—an autoimmune disease of the thyroid gland. Limited by treatment choices due to multiple deadly allergies (peanut, shellfish, penicillin, and insect venom), she would embark on a remarkable journey deep inside the world of anaphylaxis seeking answers. This is where she would find the path to freedom and perfect health—living without the threat of a life threatening condition.
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Michelle Flanagan | |
Michelle is a certified trainer, public speaker, and Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), accredited by the International Hypnosis Association. She has a lifetime of experience on conquering almost impossible challenges; has formally studied food and nutrition; has traveled the world despite limitations that came with deadly consequences; has volunteered as Travel Officer for the anaphylaxis support group in Australia (1998 - 2001); and has been an Australian accredited Anaphylaxis and First Aid Trainer since 2009. She facilitates nationally recognized courses and workshops around Australia, training that embodies her own first-hand personal experience and rare perspective on living with and then without a life-threatening health condition.
Through the unique journey outlined in her book Reaction! 20 Minutes to Live, Michelle shares a wealth of knowledge and experience of severe allergies learned over a lifetime.
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What is Anaphylaxis?
Anaphylaxis is the most acute form of allergic reaction that can be fatal. It must be treated as an emergency that requires immediate treatment and urgent medical attention.
Symptoms of an acute allergic reaction or anaphylaxis:
The body may be engulfed in hives or an itchy rash. The face, lips, eyes, and tongue may swell; the airways narrow; the person may find it hard to breathe, they may experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea, and a sudden drop in blood pressure.
Photographs from left to right: Author, Michelle Flanagan experiencing the early signs of an allergic reaction approximately five minutes after applying moisturizer to her face. The product did not have ‘peanuts’ listed on the label. The photograph on the right was taken approximately ten minutes later. Michelle was in an ambulance on her way to the nearest emergency room to receive urgent medical attention not long thereafter.
Common triggers of anaphylaxis:
Food such as peanuts, tree nuts, milk, eggs, fish, shellfish, sesame, soy and wheat; Insect stings/bites such as bee, wasp and jack jumper ant; Medications of both over the counter and prescribed; latex; and sometimes exercise.
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Reaction HQ P. O. Box 1271 Maroubra NSW 2035 Australia
ABN: 78 337 651 127 | |
