Supernanny Jo Frost, 55, has revealed she’s been rushed to the hospital with a life-threatening illness numerous times in the past.
The star, who rose to fame in 2004 on Supernanny UK, opened up about her condition on Instagram this week.
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Supernanny Jo Frost shares worrying health update
Taking to Instagram, Jo revealed to her 845k followers that she has anaphylaxis. According to the NHS, anaphylaxis is a life-threatening allergic reaction that happens very quickly.
Symptoms of anaphylaxis usually start within minutes of coming into contact with something you’re allergic to, such as foods, medicine, or insect stings.
Symptoms include swelling of the throat and tongue, difficulty breathing, and tightness of the throat. Symptoms can also include feeling tired, dizzy, fainting, and blue, grey or pale skin, lips or tongue.
“I’ve survived more anaphylactic shocks than I’m prepared to go into detail about right now,” Jo said in her Instagram video.
Jo urges for compassion for people who suffer anaphylaxis
She then continued. “I have anaphylaxis, a life-threatening medical condition to certain foods that will compromise my body so horrifically to the point of hospitalisation,” she said.
If you ignore the severity of this medical condition, it’s as bad as shoving a loaded gun in my face.
“Absolute millions of my community around the world, children and adults, live cautiously and anxiously navigating this journey with not nearly enough compassion, education and empathy from those who do not,” she then said.
“Today, everyone will know someone or someone who knows of one with anaphylaxis. If you ignore the severity of this medical condition, it’s as bad as shoving a loaded gun in my face,” she then explained.
“I did not ask for it, and it does not define who I am and the impact that I make in the world daily. But it does impact how I live my life daily, like the precautions I take, the energy I have to use to discern with hypervigilance,” she then continued.
Fans send their support
Jo then said: “By the way, I speak on behalf of those who also have celiac disease, too, because we are all not faddy eaters. I’m not looking to be treated special, I’m looking to be treated with the same dignity and attentiveness as you just showed others,” she said.
She added that she doesn’t “need” people’s “mumbling insults” or “passive-aggressive” comments or “ignorance” about her condition. She urged people to show “empathy” towards the condition.
“Get curious and learn more, because really, as mentioned before, we all know someone,” she added.
Jo’s fans and followers took to the comment section to send their support.
“I remember an episode of Supernanny where you encouraged a little girl to explain to the waitress about all the things she was allergic to. It was so sweet to watch,” one fan said.
“Thank you, Jo. Been living with this my whole life and see how it has gotten so much worse for children now,” another said.
“Someone needed to say it. Thank you for speaking out and using your platform to protect children like my son. God bless you,” a third wrote.
“Love this heartfelt message, Jo! Thanks so much for always advocating and educating on food allergies and anaphylaxis,” another said.
“Thank you for using your voice… many could benefit from empathy and understanding!! Wishing you healthy days, Jo!!” a fifth added.
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