Ballet audition paranoia or reality?

Karin

My daughter had an audition today and the ballet studio was filled w little girls and moms - at one point I realized we are one to two weeks into the fall semester and all the bugs are circulating and I am so close to all of these people sitting on the floor listening to the head of the studio…. I was wondering how I remove myself from these situations without seeming too sensitive or vulnerable. And perhaps I have nothing to worry about but it does seem silly to be exposed?

The last thing I want is to have my daughter suffer from bacteriophobia but this literally is about my health?

lots to consider… and the more I worry the worse it is for my mental state as well!!

BabyJ25

I think protection is key if you are at close proximity with people especially in his season.how old is your daughter?

what do you think of popping on a mask ?

Karin

Masks ar good but the whole concept of the event is community and transparency - so hard to stand out but then again - showing the stress I feel, might be even more off putting

kirby

Karin,

I understand how you feel. When I received my transplant nearly 20 years ago masks were not something people were used to. I got LOTS of stares and weird looks. I was even asked multiple times why I had it on. I had it on to survive for me and even more so for my child. And I went to all her ballet recitals!!

Fast forward years later, I had a horrible covid experience and I started isolating. It was not a fun way to live. So I try to get out more, I still will wear a masks in public places and crowds. I also keep sanitizer in my car and attached to my purse. Paranoid? Maybe. Germaphobe? Probably. But alive and healthy.

I say put on a mask, possibly sit in a section that isn't crowded and enjoy the childhood that goes by way too fast. People that know you should understand and all the others, well, does it really matter?!?

TheMac

I totally see where you are coming from. I was lucky, if you call it luck, my girls also ballet dancers stopped dancing before I got sick. Honestly I am not sure how I would handle it now. One thought is to talk to your transplant team, ask how cautious you need to be. When in doubt, always ask professionals.

As for teaching your daughter, I believe you can absolutely teach her how to be cautious and mindful without scaring her. You are her mama, you will ultimately make the right call. I am here for you as are the rest of our group. Check back in and update us. ❤️

AliEm14

I echo what everyone else said that only you can make the best decision for you. It’s a valid fear, especially with everything we go through. Masking, which a lot of people mentioned, is the go to it seems but if that’s not a situation you’re comfortable with I’d look for things like can I stand at the back of the group so at least it’s not circulating all the way around me? Can we open doors/windows to get more air flow? I have one of those air purifier necklaces I’ll wear if I’m in public but not masking, which isn’t foolproof but does help my anxiety to feel like I’m doing something. Use a lot of hand sanitizer, side step people that are coughing.

let us know how it goes, and how Liv likes ballet!

Karin

Thank you so much - I really appreciate this- it was so hard since I wanted to be part of the dance community and not stand out as someone different or sick or not being helpful - yet I know I need to take care of my health to be strong for my daughter! And she was given the roles of “Bonbon” and “Red toy soldier”

)))

TServold

I too struggle with this as a sports mom. For me, it's the basketball court. My son plays in a league where there are sometimes 3 games happening at one time, 2 in one gym and 1 in another. I think we are "lucky" on the days we play in the "small" gym because there are less people. I try and seat myself between two friends so no stranger sits next to me, if possible. Otherwise I will hide behind my camera and play "paparazzi", while sitting away from people. That doesn't exactly promote a sense of community other than I tell parents I will share photos of their children too. I always try to smile and wave when appropriate.

For me, a lot of the times it's the sibling of another family who I lovingly refer to as the petri dish. Not everyone practices the same hand washing protocols in their house that we do in our house and well, kids can just be gross. 🤣

Excellent tips shared here.

SteveJPearson

Everone of us has to make their own personal choices.

My choice is that I will live my life. Go out into public. Enjoy movies, ball games, sports, and if I still had kids at home I'd watch their games and recitals. I still fly on airplanes, take cruises, etc.

I reason that if I don't live my life, then why bother having had a transplant?

I take reasonable precautions. I use 10-gallons of hand sanitizer a week (well not quite that much). Use it after filling up the truck with gas, when I exit stores, before I eat sanitize my fork, after I read a menu I re-sanaitze my hands. Most nasty illness is from contact transmission not air borne anyway. So I guess I'm playing in the odds but stack the odd in my favor as much as possible without limiting my life activities.

I'm 13 years out and have only been sick once in all those years of being immune suppressed.

Be blessed!