What is the Teal Pumpkin Project?

As Halloween night dawns on us some people may have come across something called the Teal 

Pumpkin Project. Many people will think it's just a nice idea to have a pumpkin that's different to the "normal" orange colour however to many people living with issues related to food it holds a different meaning. The Teal Pumpkin Project was designed to allow inclusion on the amazing holiday that is Halloween. Halloween should be a fun period of time where kids and adults alike can enjoy some spooktacular fun. Children with issues which may mean they cannot eat, have a limited diet, need special accommodations etc. face being isolated from other children as they cannot enjoy Halloween to the same extent children who don't face difficulties with food and/or eating do. Having any medical condition, special need etc. is difficult enough, you face being left out when it comes to holiday season and parties because many people either decide not to accommodate for these requirements or, they simply do not think to accommodate for them. I can completely understand the not thinking part as before I was diagnosed with food allergies I never once considered that what I enjoy eating could be harmful to other people and until I lived with with a feeding tube I never realised just how difficult it can be to live life without eating and/or drinking. It can really leave you feeling alone and remind you of how different your life is to other people, adults struggle with this and I can only guess it must be harder for children, particularly young children, as they don't carry the same level of understanding about their condition/s that someone older does. Can you imagine being extremely excited about going out Trick or Treating but feeling your stomach sink when you realise that many people won't be inclusive of you? Kids with food allergies feel disappointed most of their candy stash will have to be taken away from them due to the risk it poses to them. Kids who cannot eat will feel disappointed on realising many people still only have candy treats. Children who struggle with food aversion won't necessarily want to eat the treats they've obtained from going out Trick or Treating etc. The Teal Pumpkin Project encourages people to have a selection of treats that are non-food related. It aims to allow people with different dietary requirements to still feel a sense of inclusion and not be reminded that they are different from their peers on the basis of their condition/s. These can be easily obtained from many stores (supermarkets, stationary shops, card shops etc.). Some suggestions I personally have for non-food items are:

-glow sticks/bracelets/necklaces

-balloons

-bubbles

-stickers

-temporary tattoos

-toy soliders

-colouring pencils

-pencils

-pens

-crayons

-marker pens

-erasers

-pencil toppers

-slinky's

-coins

-finger puppets

-notebooks

-bouncy balls

-whistles

-mini colouring books

-Halloween themed rings

-Halloween themed hard animals

-vampire fangs

-playing cards

-bookmarks

-stencils

-beaded necklaces/bracelets

-squishes

-fidget toys i.e. tangle, fidget cube etc.

-hard vehicles

-yo-yos