Food allergy therapy delivers life-changing results for siblings

The Wallace Family

For the Wallace family, what started as a cautious step into oral immunotherapy (OIT) has turned into something much bigger: freedom.

When we first met Courtney Wallace in 2024, her children, Neva and Nathaniel, were in the middle of Akron Children’s OIT program – carefully building tolerance to peanuts and tree nuts through daily, measured doses. At the time, the journey required strict routines, frequent appointments and constant vigilance.

Today, that hard work has paid off in ways the family once only hoped for.

“Oral immunotherapy programs have been a gamechanger to many families – providing patients the ability to gain a newfound confidence around their allergen,” said Dr. Lisa Sammon, Akron Children’s director of allergy and immunology and Neva and Nathaniel’s doctor.

During her all-day food challenge at the hospital, Neva made clay figures for her nurses.

Facing the food challenge

In fall 2024, both kids reached a major milestone: their official food challenges.

Neva completed hers in October, followed by Nathaniel in December.

“It was a stressful time, and I was super nervous,” Courtney said.

Food challenge days are long and carefully monitored, often lasting 4 to 6 hours. Patients eat gradually increasing amounts of their allergen under close supervision to see how their body responds.

“The process is to eat a little, wait and keep going until they reach what’s considered a normal serving size,” Courtney explained.

Nathaniel was Akron Children’s very first cashew OIT patient. His participation played a role in expanding access to treatment.

For Neva, that meant an unexpected breakfast.

“She thought it was great that she was having mini-Reese’s cups for breakfast,” Courtney said.

Throughout the day, the kids were closely watched by their care team. To pass the time, Neva made clay figures for her nurses and even created a bracelet for Dr. Sammon.

By the end of the day, both children had something to celebrate.

“Neva had no reaction at all,” Courtney said. “Nathaniel’s challenge went equally as well.”

“It is exceptionally rewarding to witness the benefits of the Wallace siblings’ hard work and dedication to the program,” said Dr. Sammon.

On a recent trip to Disney World, Nathaniel fully enjoyed his meals without fear of accidentally ingesting his allergen.

What “success” looks like

Even after passing their food challenges, Neva and Nathaniel still technically have food allergies. But they are now considered desensitized, thanks to OIT, which means their bodies can tolerate exposure without a severe reaction.

That distinction has made all the difference in their daily lives.

The kids still follow a maintenance routine 4 times a week, but the strict rules that once shaped their schedules have eased.

“We have so much more freedom,” Courtney said.

Gone are the days of carefully timing doses around physical activity or worrying about every bite of food. Neva can now enjoy foods she once had to avoid entirely.

Even after passing their food challenges, Neva and Nathaniel still technically have food allergies. But they are now considered desensitized, thanks to OIT, which means their bodies can tolerate exposure without a severe reaction.

“She loves peanut M&M’S and Reese’s cups – pretty much anything chocolate and peanut butter,” Courtney said. “She can even eat peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.”

For a child whose allergy was once so severe her bloodwork was “off the charts,” the progress has been remarkable. For the first time, Neva’s lab results are now within a normal range.

A shift in confidence

The impact goes beyond food – it’s changed how the family experiences everyday life.

Before OIT, even simple outings required careful planning.

“We would look at menus ahead of time and have long conversations with servers about allergies,” Courtney said.

Neva and Nathaniel with their older brother, Theo, at Disney World.

Now, those worries have eased. On a recent trip to Disney World, the family was able to fully enjoy their meals without fear.

“We got the meal plan and could go to every meal and get whatever we wanted,” Courtney said.

Milestones that once felt out of reach are now part of normal life. One of the biggest? Trick-or-treating.

“That was a really big deal to Neva,” Courtney said.

A journey for the whole family

While the children have adapted quickly, Courtney admits the emotional journey has been more complex for her.

“I’ve had more hang-ups and fears about the process than my kids,” she said.

Even after the successful food challenges, it took time to fully trust the results. For Neva, whose allergy was especially severe, the family continued a higher maintenance level for an extended period to build confidence.

But looking back, Courtney says every step was worth it.

“My biggest motivation was their safety, both now and in the future,” she said. “This built a foundation to make them safer for their whole lives, and I’m really proud of myself because it was a lot of work.”

Neva and her brother still follow an OIT maintenance routine 4 times a week, but the strict rules that once shaped their schedules have eased.

Paving the way for others

Nathaniel’s journey also helped open doors for other families. As Akron Children’s first patient in the cashew OIT program, his participation played a role in expanding access to treatment.

“We pride ourselves at Akron Children’s on the ability to deliver evidence-based therapies to our patients and improve food allergy outcomes,” said Dr. Sammon.

Courtney hopes sharing their story continues to give other families reassurance.

“This has been life-changing,” she said.

And while OIT isn’t a cure, for families like the Wallaces, it offers something just as meaningful: peace of mind – and the chance for kids to simply be kids.