Rona Chiera go nuts. N.U.T. goes to Parliament

How often does a Mum get their name read out in Parliament? Today I found the extract that was read out in Parliament. Our dedication to our community has paid off. I’d like to personally thank all of you for making a difference in your community and creating change.
Extract from Hansard
[ASSEMBLY — Thursday, 26 May 2011]
p4127a-4127a
Mr Paul Miles
[1]
FOOD ALLERGY AWARENESS WEEK 2011
Statement by Member for Wanneroo
MR P.T. MILES (Wanneroo) [12.52 pm]: I would like to recognise the achievements of one of my
constituents, Mrs Rona Chiera, for her efforts in raising awareness about food allergies. Rona’s twin daughters
have a rare and painful genetic disorder called Ehlers Danlos syndrome, which, amongst other things, means that
they have allergies to certain foods. One twin has outgrown her allergies, but one of her girls is still very
sensitive to the known allergy triggers found in peanuts, egg and wheat. Rona has been promoting Food Allergy
Awareness Week since 2007 at Ashdale Primary School and has raised over $2 500 towards this cause. Last
year, the neighbouring Madeley Primary School also came on board to help raise funds. Their fundraising event
is a free-dress event called No Uniform Today, or NUT for short. NUT is now being trialled nationally to
promote allergy awareness throughout Australia. I commend Rona for her volunteering efforts and community
spirit, as well as both Ashdale and Madeley Primary Schools.
In sharing my story with others, my twin’s rheumatology specialist at Princess Margaret Hospital, told me that he did not recognise his own daughter’s allergic reaction that she was experiencing whilst he was with her. Luckily a visitor in his home recognised the symptoms and alerted him, that he believes his daughter was having an allergic reaction to nuts. Allergy symptoms presents itself in many various forms, and you may not have an allergy now, but if Australia is already at epidemic levels with food allergies, chances are you know someone who suffers from an allergy. It may even be you!
Together we need to fund awareness and research projects, and help manage this allergy epidemic at a community level. If we continue to manage allergy awareness at a community level, we can reduce the time spent in an emergency hospital waiting room and reduce the impact on our health system.
My Mum & Dad always taught me to pick my battle. As Anaphylaxis Australia trialled N.U.T., it reached schools in Victoria, Sydney, Tasmania, QLD, South Australia and here in Western Australia. Today I stand with my community behind as my greatest army to change the rules of the GAME.
Your community is your greatest supporter in the depths of despair. I honour you all. Rona Chiera