During the Halloween festivities, one of the activities most enjoyed by children is going out into the streets dressed as terrifying characters to ask for candy in the surrounding houses.
Although it is an activity that could be considered inclusive and in which the entire family can participate, there are some vulnerable groups that have sought visibility and awareness to be able to safely participate in festivities like this.
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In the hope of being able to join in this long-awaited holiday for children and adults, some groups with specific medical conditions have implemented the symbolism of the blue pumpkin, which identifies them and helps them be received with special care in the homes they visit.
The blue pumpkin
The custom of using a blue pumpkin when going out to ask for skulls began in 2012 in a project designed for children who suffered from food allergies, so that when knocking on doors and asking for candy, the owners would be careful with the products they gave them or better yet They will exchange the candy for a toy.
Another way to use this color of container was to put it outside the gates to indicate to the children that that house had candy or toys suitable for children with some type of food allergy.
autism
Another of the conditions that has sought to be made visible through the use of blue pumpkins is autism.
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What is intended is that when identifying a child carrying this color of pumpkin, special care should be taken in the treatment they will receive and the type of sweets or objects that will be given to them, as well as avoiding scaring them strongly or with shocks, thus taking care of that they can integrate into the activities with the other children.
The visibility of autism with this modality has also had its counterpart, as some parents of children within the autism spectrum consider that identifying them with that color does not include them but rather singles them out and exposes them to suffering from harassment or labeling them unnecessarily.
Recommendations
If when going out to ask or when giving the traditional “calaverita” you come across a child with a blue pumpkin, ask the adult accompanying him or her if you can give the candy you offer to the rest.
In your purchases to give to children on this date, try to include sweets suitable for people with the most common food allergies such as gluten, dyes, sweeteners, etc.
You can also have some small toys on hand that you can give instead of candy to little ones who require it.
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Before abruptly scaring those who come to your door, take a quick look to see if any little one requires special attention when carrying a blue pumpkin.
Although this custom is much more deeply rooted in the United States and many are unaware of its meaning, groups of parents of children with specific medical conditions around the world join the initiative in search of inclusion and security for their children.
