Not sure if I am posting this in the correct area - Sorry this is so long.
My best friend's daughter (16), found out she has type 1 diabetes. For the past few months she has been showing the signs and I told my bf she needed to be checked out. I know a tiny bit about diabetes, I had gestational diabetes when I was pregnant with my daughter. My bf took her to the Dr. last week and they immediately sent her to Children's with a BG of 640. Right now, they are still trying to regulate her insulin and trying to figure out what works.
Here is the problem, she missed a week of school due to being in the hospital and her school is giving them problems. Last Friday, they went to the school with all of her paperwork, a glucose meter, insulin, Ketone strips - everything she would need at school. Her mom talked to the school nurse and her counselor. The nurse told her mom "yeah, my son had that when he was younger, but he doesn't have it anymore.":eek: The counselor said "That's not where you have to count carbs is it? That's a pain." It sounded to me like they know nothing about diabetes. There is another counselor at the school (not her's) that has Type 1 and I told my friend she should really talk to her, she would understand, but it seems that counselor is never there.
There was a situation this week when daughter tested her BG, it was 430 and the nurse sent her off to lunch. When mom found out, she was very upset. She has talked to the principal and the vp as well and no one seems to understand the importance of her situation. Her mom is not taking any of this very well and I am worried about both of them.
I figured since I am here reading all of the time, this may be a great place for help. What do you think she should do to help educate the school staff? Does anyone have experience with this or advice on what she can do?
Thanks for all of the great advice! Mom is overwhelmed right now, and not thinking clearly. She has been to the school a few times now, and before daughter went back, she took the care plan to the school. Mom is frustrated and feels as if they are not taking this seriously. She is also worried about missed days and having to put daughter in an alternative school.
I guess I thought the school would be more supportive of her and her safety.
Being Type 1 since age 11, I can appreciate the troubles that are happening in the school, along with the family dynamics that are disrupted with the disease. You can find more support online. I'll PM you to let you know more since it is against policy to post here. Good luck.
kids
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By Federal law the child is eligible for accomidations under IDEA, the school is required to participate in developing a 504 plan and must follow it.
Information here: http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/d_0q_000.htm
Sample 504 plans: http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/504/
The mom's best bet is to contact the Special Ed Dept in the child's school district for help navigating the system.