Hon. Joan Burke, Minister of Education
Confederation Building
4th fl, West Block
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL
A1B 4J6
 

Dear Madam:

I am the mother of a child with Type 1 diabetes and spend much of my time working with others who are also struggling with this disease. Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune disease that destroys the insulin producing cells of the pancreas leaving the person dependent upon an external source of insulin (via insulin pump or syringe) for the rest of their lives.

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador has approximately 600 children with Type 1 diabetes in our schools and 50 more diagnosed each year.  Nowhere in this province is the care of these children adequately guaranteed. In the few areas with policies that mention diabetes, there is a misconception that diabetes care falls under the category of “Administering Medication in School”.  Diabetes management is much more than that.

We now know much more about diabetes than we did in previous years. We know that hyperglycemia (high blood glucose levels and not enough insulin) can cause a child to have blurred vision and be unable to concentrate on their school work or any other tasks at hand. Research has shown us that hypoglycemia (low blood glucose level caused by too much insulin in the body) leaves a child weak and disoriented. If staff members are not properly educated to be aware of these conditions problems can escalate and, in the case of hypoglycemia, the child can have a seizure and could even die. 

Type 1 Diabetes is a very serious, life-threatening illness. Fortunately we now live in a time when this disease is much easier to manage than it once was.  Many children are not on as strict a schedule as in previous years but with this new freedom comes new technology and its own challenges. Multiple daily injection therapy means that children as young as 5 years old are required to inject themselves with insulin in schools.  Intensive insulin management means that children of all ages are using tools such as glucometers in school and testing their blood glucose levels in the classroom multiple times per day.  Insulin pump therapy offers yet another challenge as teachers work to understand the technology and the issues that these devises have in the child’s daily routine.

Some schools embrace these children and work to provide a safe and caring environment for these students. Unfortunately this is not always the case. There are other schools that are intimidated by the task of caring for these children and try to refuse entry to children.  Those students in the elementary grades, who require more intensive supervision, are particularly at risk of this occurring.  Schools often claim not to have the resources available for such “high needs” children. 

Madam Minister, these children need to be protected by a provincial policy that would see the quality of care for children with diabetes maintained throughout the province. I have had parents come to me from St. John’s to Stephenville.  They have to fight with their schools to properly care for their children.  Six year olds are sent on the playground without having eaten all of their snacks (too much insulin and not enough food will leave the child hypoglycemic and they may pass out on the playground).  Five year olds are being asked to test and interpret their own blood glucose results.  In many cases, parents have to rely on family and friends or they simply cannot work so that they can go to the schools to ensure the proper care of their children.

Schools must also be protected Ms. Burke.  I have attached an Individual Medical Care Plan for Children with Life Threatening Illnesses. Such a plan would outline the responsibilities of all parties involved in the child’s life. It would outline the school’s responsibilities to the child, the parents’ responsibilities to the school as well as duties that the child can be expected to perform.  Legislating a plan such as this would not just impact those living with type 1 diabetes, it would further help eliminate the need for policies on each and every life threatening illness that are becoming too common in today’s society.  

I hope that you will seriously consider the points I have raised today. This is a very serious issue that must be addressed. Our children’s lives are literally at stake.  If you would like further information on this issue, please feel free to contact me.

Sincerely,

Barbra Marche

General Concern Sample letter

Hon. Joan Burke, Minister of Education
Confederation Building
4th fl, West Block
P.O. Box 8700
St. John’s, NL
A1B 4J6
 

Dear Madam:

The province of Newfoundland and Labrador has approximately 600 children with Type 1 diabetes in our schools and 50 more diagnosed each year.  Nowhere in this province is the care of these children adequately guaranteed. In the few areas with policies that mention diabetes, there is a misconception that diabetes care falls under the category of “Administering Medication in School”.  Diabetes management is much more than that.
 

Insert your story here.  Explain your experiences, concerns, and what you would like to see done.

Madam Minister, something must be done to protect our children with diabetes in schools. Please help us to protect our children. Please introduce legislation that would adequately protect all children with Type 1 Diabetes in Newfoundland and Labrador schools.

Sincerely;

Your name

cc. Your MHA (a complete listing can be found at http://www.hoa.gov.nl.ca/hoa/members/ )

Letter to sent to Minister of Education in Nova Scotia

November 28, 2006
The Honourable Karen Casey
Minister of Education
Nova Scotia Department of Education
P.O. Box 578
2021 Brunswick Street
Halifax, NS B3J 2S9

Dear Madam:
It has recently been brought to my attention that your government has been discussing the issue of Children with Diabetes in Schools. Mr. William Estabrooks asked why it is that children in your province are forced to rely upon proactive parents to receive the best support in school. He further noted that you should follow the lead of New Brunswick and that the Department of Education should take a leadership role in this issue.

Madame Minister, you are correct in stating that many schools and school boards have policies related to the delivery of medication in class. To believe that such a policy adequately covers children living with Type 1 Diabetes unfortunately shows a lack of understanding of the disease and more importantly the current treatment methods of in use.
A child with diabetes is not like a child who needs antibiotics. As I am sure you are aware, Type 1 diabetes is a chronic, life threatening condition that requires constant monitoring and attention. These children must test their blood glucose levels are a variety of times throughout the day. They often must inject or deliver insulin to themselves through an insulin pump at one or more times during the day. They must be observed to ensure that all meals are eaten properly and on time. They must be observed for signs of hyper of hypoglycemia which can lead to serious life-threatening conditions.

A person in charge of a child with Type 1 diabetes must be properly educated. Anyone who comes in contact with these children must be aware of the signs and symptoms of hyper and hypoglycemia. Teachers must be aware of each child’s blood testing, snacking, and injection routine. They must further understand the cognitive impairment that accompanies impaired blood glucose levels. There must be someone trained to observe the child and ensure that they do eat, test, and inject. There must be someone with the child when they are hypoglycemic.

There are also protections that should be in place for the teachers and school staff. It is vital that they be told that they have a child with diabetes in their school. It is important that parents supply the child’s medical equipment, as well as work out a care plan for the child. Children should wear proper Medical Identification and must be confident that they will receive the help that they need during school hours.
Again, Mr. Estabrooks noted that such provisions are in place with the Department of Education in New Brunswick. They are the only province to mention diabetes in their provincial Education Policies. Policy 704 outlines everyone’s responsibilities as mentioned above. It stresses the importance for parents/caregivers and the school to work together to create Essential Service Plans and Emergency Plans at the beginning of the school year or upon diagnosis. It further emphasizes the necessity for proper training for all staff that comes in contact with children who have Type 1 Diabetes.

Minister Casey, there are numerous ways that a diabetes policy can be implemented in your province. You could look to follow the New Brunswick model mentioned above. You could look at something more general like an Individual Medical Care Plan for Children with Life Threatening Illnesses (see www.diabetesadvocacy.com/diabetes_law.htm) which is based on Ontario’s Sabrina’s law for anaphylaxis shock. You could also adopt a policy that is strictly for children with diabetes in your schools. Diabetes Advocacy has created such a policy with input from parents, educators, and those involved in special education. It can be read at www.diabetesadvocacy.com/diabetes_care_policy.htm  or we will gladly provide you with a hard copy of the document.

In any case, we hope that you see that there is a need for a policy to protect children with diabetes in Nova Scotia schools. No child should go unprotected. No teacher should either. It is important for there to be a high standard of care throughout the province regardless of the parent’s ability to demand what their child needs or where the child is required to attend school.

We appreciate you looking into this manner and look forward to seeing Nova Scotia move forward with this issue.

Sincerely,
 

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Last modified: May 29, 2008