Napa Advocate of Epi-Pens in Schools Takes Fight to Sacramento (P.S. He's 10!)

Ten-year-old Christopher Olivier of Napa staunchly believes that all California public and charter schools should be stocked with the lifesaving epinephrine auto-injectors, commonly referred to as Epi-Pens.

And he may be little -- but he is undaunted by his massive mission. He took his cause all the way to Sacramento this summer lobbying to get SB1266 through the state Assembly, despite serious opposition from the California Teachers Association.

Chris was one of three speakers invited by Senate Republican leader Bob Huff (R-Diamond Bar), who introduced the bill, to "officially testify" in June before the Assembly Judiciary Committee requesting SB1266 pass through to the next hearing -- which it did.

Before that, in April, Chris described to the Senate Health Committee how an anaphylactic reaction feels; he was "a guest" of a presenting allergist. Those unscripted words from a child proved powerful -- and the bill scooted along. 

Chris understands the seriousness of anaphylaxis, as he suffers from food allergies and asthma. He was dismayed when he learned in the spring that his mother turned down the opportunity to head an allergy-advocacy group --  and that spurred him to take up the cause, according to his mom, Leti Olivier.

So over a long weekend, he wrote a “business plan” with a “mission statement” and a “goal” to develop an “advocacy group" of his own, one that would not only fight for those with life-threatening food allergies, but a group that would advocate for life-threatening allergies and asthma. 

(He came up with: “Northern California Allergy and Asthma Advocates.” Here is his Facebook page.)

"When he shared his idea and agenda … I couldn’t say no," said his mom. "I told him I would support him, but he would have to do a great amount of the work."

And to be honest, she figured his plans would fizzle after the novelty wore off of choosing a group name and designing a logo. But, nope!

"He has been full steam since the initial idea in late March," Leti said. 

Chris has visited the offices of such local reps as State Senator Noreen Evans (D-Santa Rosa) and State Senator Lois Wolk (D-Davis), typically meeting with aides, to plead his cause and ask for support.

"He is committed to seeing this bill through," Leti said.

Because to this sixth-grader -- the issue is a no-brainer. 

To Chris, who knows firsthand what anaphylaxis feels like, it would be a good thing to know kids having allergic reactions in schools will be safe. He knows how quickly someone can die. He knows how long an emergency response can take, and he knows how fast epinephrine works when administered.

He has heard the opposing argument that teachers are trained not to administer medication, but to teach. To which he answers: “How can they care about teaching us, if they won’t care if a child dies under their care?”

SB1266 has cleared the Assembly Education Committee, and will move on to the Assembly Appropriations Committee sometime in August, as members recess for the month of July.

Which is a good thing, the summer break, as Chris had some plans of his own -- like Rock Band Camp. 

And if the bill dies in a committee along the way, Chris is not giving up. He will simply try again next year. 

"More kids should get involved in what they care about," he summed, "because it’s weird how much the politicians listen to a kid.” 

You can view the bill SB1266 by visiting: http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140SB1266&search_keywords=

SB 1266 is supported by the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology; Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America; American Red Cross; California Academy of Physician Assistants; California School Nurses Association, California Advocates for Food Allergies; California American College of Emergency Physicians; California Society of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, and many other local organizations and individuals. SB 1266 now moves to the Assembly Appropriations Committee.