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Why do we need special policies for our children
with diabetes in schools? Isn't it enough for parents to go in and
explain what needs to be done?
Below are real life examples of what can occur in
our schools. In many cases the schools and staff are doing their best
to provide for children with diabetes in their care. Sometimes that is
still not enough. A policy would help to define roles and provide
assistance where necessary.
If you have a story that you would like to share,
please contact us.
- Liam was 5 years old and in kindergarten.
It was first thing in the morning and he was to test his blood
glucose levels and then have his snack. There was no classroom
assistant so his teacher left him to go to the washroom alone to
wash his hands. Liam was gone for an exceptionally long time.
Luckily the washroom was next door to the classroom, so his teacher
popped out to check on him. Liam was disoriented. He could not
figure out how to turn on the light in the washroom. He later told
his mother that he didn't know what he was doing in there--what he
was suppose to do. His teacher tested him and he was hypoglycemic.
After the proper treatment, Liam eventually recovered. What could
have happened to him alone and unsupervised in that room haunted
both is teacher and his mother for the rest of the year.
- Cameron was 6 years old and in Grade 1. She
was painfully shy and would not do anything to bring attention to
herself. As she got off the bus from school, she could barely walk
and hung onto the bus for support. Her father became immediately
concerned. Cameron was hypoglycemic. Her father treated her and
then later asked what had happened? At school, she had been rushed
through her meal and had not eaten everything she was suppose to
before being sent off to play on the playground . Cameron was on
injections and the insulin remained in her system even if the food
was not there.
- Carlie was 13 years old and writing an
exam. Her eyes were blurry and she had a hard time concentrating on
the test. The basic things she could understand but anything
requiring complex thinking was beyond her. Her teacher had the
insight to have Carlie test. She was hyperglycemic. Later testing
showed that she did understand the topic but was unable to optimally
perform earlier due to hyperglycemia.
- Nathaniel's condition does not justify a
student assistant. He is slowly learning to use his pump but should
a five year old be required to have such a responsibility? He checks
his own blood glucose levels but does not understand what the
numbers really "mean". The principal and secretary help him with
this and call Nathaniel's parents when he is high. A family member
must then go to the school to make a correction. While his school
board requires staff to be trained in administering Glucagon in case
of hypoglycemia, they will not learn how to administer insulin in
case of hyperglycemia.
- 9 year old Robbie was left to wander the
hallways in search of the school's Vice-principal when low as the
staff felt that diabetes related issues were his responsibility.
- Melanie's four year old daughter was newly
diagnosed and looking to return to Junior Kindergarten. Staff would
only be allowed to oversee this child testing her own blood glucose
levels. The little girl was scared and unwilling to poke her own
finger. The school's Vice-principal would not budge on this issue
and refused to allow Education Assistants to help the child in
anyway.
- Tae was 7 years old when she would be sent
to locate her teaching assistant despite a 1.9 mmol (35mg/dl) blood
glucose level (normal range is over 4mmol). She has been sent to
play outside without eating her snack. The school often questions
Tae's mom as to why her condition is "unstable".
- Before 4 year old Chris began Junior
Kindergarten, his mother met with school staff to inform them of his
needs. Chris was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 18 months and
was now using an insulin pump. When he arrived at school with his
mother, they were pleased to see something about diabetes posted on
every cupboard. Mom was able to go to school with Chris and
ultimately monitor his care from a distance. All teachers are great
about logging his blood glucose lows and watching for
uncharacteristic behaviors.
-
I was just 8 yrs old when I was
diagnosed with diabetes. I always went to school and even played on
a few school sport teams. Football, floor hockey, soccer, I always
had fun and I always made sure to bring an extra snack if I was
staying late. Most of my friends could tell if I needed something to
eat and they always made sure that I ate enough to be able to cause
trouble on the field or when I had to use my brain in the
classroom. The teachers were always told at the beginning
of every year and when I went to college, it was my friends around
me the watched out for me. Work was always great and I told
everyone that I sometimes had to be excused to eat. Government
contractors weren’t ever happy, but if our work was done well, then
I was allowed to find 20 minutes for myself. My Diabetes is
staying under good control, but I was diagnosed with MS in 2002, so
things are different again.
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