Orion Gennet is better off than a “bubble boy,” but not by much.

“I don’t have just a ‘peanut boy,’” said Maria Gennet, of her three year-old, food-sensitive son. She uses the term to mean those kids allergic to just peanuts. Unfortunately, her spunky little boy is allergic to tree nuts, chicken, dairy, eggs, wheat, corn and soy, in addition to peanuts of course. Orion is also “contact allergic.”

“You can’t touch food he is allergic to, and then touch him,” Maria said. “If I prep chicken and a drop of juice touches him, he could get a rash there or get bloated. A nurse once touched him in an examination and it left a red handprint where he was touched.”

Some may remember Gennet when she worked as hair stylist at Ola on Avalon Avenue in West Seattle. She has since opened her own home studio, A Room Apart, an organic hair salon in North Highline just south of Arbor Heights. She was a mentor at the Community of Youth Program at Chief Sealth High School.

She now has her own “youth program” raising Orion, well, with a lot of help from her parents Neil and Jackie Perez, who bought a house across the street, got licensed and trained in daycare and food allergy issues and opened Growing Circle Daycare in their allergy-safe basement and yard. They watch Orion when Maria works, and cater, literally, to other pre-schoolers with food allergies too. Three-quarters of their clients live in West Seattle, they said.

“I couldn’t find daycare and was pretty desperate,” said Maria. “There are other children with similar issues and I assume for their parents daycare is also a challenge. Meals, touching toys, there are a lot of challenges. Orion can play with our cats. Our doctors said it’s good for him to have some exposures.”

“At Growing Circle kids with allergies are not the exception, they are the rule,” said Jackie. “From the inside out (of our house) we have eliminated certain body products like oils, lotions and fragrants. We use hemp lotion and olive oil and organic shampoos, but no almond or sesame seed oils. We also check with toy manufacturers for allergen free crayons and paint, and allergen free organic fruits and vegetables, grass fed beef, and rice or hemp milk.

“We make popsicles with organic apple juice,” she added while opening her sterilized refrigerator-freezer. “I juice vegetables and mix in a little fruit juice to make popsicles. We’re not into depriving them, but finding treats safe for them. The kids don’t feel people are fussing over them and they don’t feel left out.”

“I never wanted to be a ‘helicopter mom,’ but then I had a son who required me to hover,” said Gennet. “I walk a fine line to give him freedom, and to keep him safe. People have millions of challenges. I’m not saying ours is better or worse. Ours is ours. Orion brought me the gift of health, a whole food diet, and my work-out regime.”

Gennet works out regularly at the X Gym on Harbor Avenue, on Alki. She is quick to add that while she is now separated, Orion’s father lives close and also provides their son with a safe environment and diet.

“This is off-the-charts unique,” said Dr. Molly Jones Gray about Orion. He is a new patient of Gray’s at West Seattle Natural Medicine, 3256 California Avenue.

“From my perspective, I have never seen allergies like this,” she said. “As a parent, how incredibly challenging this is. This is so extreme. The daycare, what a blessing, otherwise his life would be handicapped. Maria knows what she is doing, and has become very educated about diet and nutrition. Her son is able to thrive.

“Orion is happy and playful,” Gray added. “Some other kids would be angry. His mom has a positive outlook, and I see that reflected in his personality.”

To contact Maria Gennet about daycare, her salon, or for help with allergy concerns, phone her at: (206) 431-2001, or email her at: jmlefaive@hotmail.com, or go to www.aroomaparthairsalon.com.

She also recommends: www.foodallergy.org, a support group.