Does your child have a 504??
I have had the hardest time this year with criags 504.. or lack of.
Before school started I called the school at try to schedule a 504 meeting.
He was starting High School..and a new school so I definitely wanted to meet with the school, talk over the 504 plan and also educate his teachers.
I was told that the school doesnt meet until after school starts.
I found that weird, but ok I guess...
So school started and I had concerns because he had PE on his schedule. I wanted his teachers to know signs of trouble and what his needs were.
The school told be that his teachers had received a copy of his 504 from his old school and that they had 60 days to get with me to do his 504 meeting.
Again, I thought that was just crazy.. What if something happened..
He had a day where he came home and told me he had a bad low at school.
He said he was in the back of the class and he couldnt see. He tried to get his stuff and he checked his blood. he grabbed some tablets. all of this happening in the back of the class without anyone knowing.
That was it, I emailed the principal directly this time demanding a 504 meeting within 2 weeks.
the principal did not email me back, what she did was forward my email to the counselor I had previously been dealing with! So then HE called me and made me feel like Craig is better off without meeting. He said that if we met to discuss his 504 that the school would rule that he does not need one because he is "thriving" in school. They would take away his 504 and he would have nothing. He said since he had all A's that he doesnt need a 504. I told him he doesnt need an IEP, he needs a 504 but he insisted that the school would deny him a 504 because he was smart and hard working?? huh?!
He STILL has diabetes.. and its a daily struggle.. he has needs and highs and lows can happen anytime.. Do they not know that?
So they are actually "helping" me by not meeting about the 504. Like I was making things harder for Craig by trying to meet and get a 504 signed.
I expressed concerns about PE and that he could get low or even pass out. and the counselor told me that no teacher will give him the glucagon. They would call the nurse and wait for her to get there.. So I said but the teachers NEED to know what to do if he is low..to prevent the possibility of a seizure..or worse! He continued to tell me that the nurse would deal with it. and that the teachers have some info.
I didnt want to cause trouble for Craig at school so I personally emailed each of his teachers with diabetes info and specifics of Craigs lows. I received emails back from the teachers and felt good that at least I had a personal connection with each teacher and they knew my son and what he needed..
Then next thing I knew it, half the year is already over. He has finals today!
I emailed the school again saying I want a 504 meeting asap. I cant believe I let them push me around. This is our first experience with this. Craigs last school and Madis school were amazing with their diabetes care and needs. I had no problems getting a 504 meeting.
I dont know why his school now doesnt want to sign a 504.. I havent asked for anything but a meeting! and they have refused. I will be taking someone from the American Diabetes Association to help me so they dont push me around. They try to act like they have my and Craigs best interest in mind but then why the heck wont you meet with us or sign a 504.. Its really weird and feels like a red flag!
I feel bad because I should have demanded a 504 and called a lawyer at first when they kept giving me the run around. Live and learn I guess......
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Bday!
Madi has been fighting highs lately... has a little cough and sore
throat today, but doctor says its not contagious and should be good to
go to school tomorrow.. I told her we need to keep an eye on her Ketones
and she informed me "Diabetes is just crappy!".... I know my 6 year old
shouldn't be saying "crappy" but I had to agree with her.. Craig has
been fighting ketones today too, sore throat and chills.. (doc says its
not strep, just virus). Did you know that T1 kids can get
sick easier and also take longer to get better?? When they get sick,
its not just take some cold meds and rest.. Its check glucose more,
check for Ketones, if they have Ketones, try to flush them out with lots
and lots of fluids plus insulin...and sometimes is a hospital visit if
you cant get rid of the ketones.. This is one reason we go kind of
inactive in the winter.. because people take their sick kids to church
and Im super paranoid my kids will get sick.. I hate germs!!! on a happy
note we got our tree .Its beautiful and it smells amazing!!!
Guess what?? someone had a birthday!! Miss Madi is 6!!! She wanted a doctor party and to collect color books for the kids at the hospital. It was a lot of fun! They decorated cards for the kids at PCH too!!
Guess what?? someone had a birthday!! Miss Madi is 6!!! She wanted a doctor party and to collect color books for the kids at the hospital. It was a lot of fun! They decorated cards for the kids at PCH too!!
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Thanksgiving...
we had a really great Thanksgiving.
The kids had a great time running around, playing basketball, riding dirt bikes and being with family.
Craig had such a great time, he came into the house and grabbed his meter and said "come here mom" I said "what?' and he said "just get over here"
He was in the process of checking his blood and he could feel he was really low..
A glucose check and we find out he is 33.... I hurried to find some juice and he laid there.. on the floor waiting for his glucose to get it..
I said "what does it feel like when you are that low?
and he said you know when you are fasting?? its like 100 times worse!
It always gets me emotional when he or Madi gets low because i know it isnt too far from that glucagon! especially at 33!! It is a huge fear of mine to have to use that!
The kids had a great time running around, playing basketball, riding dirt bikes and being with family.
Craig had such a great time, he came into the house and grabbed his meter and said "come here mom" I said "what?' and he said "just get over here"
He was in the process of checking his blood and he could feel he was really low..
A glucose check and we find out he is 33.... I hurried to find some juice and he laid there.. on the floor waiting for his glucose to get it..
I said "what does it feel like when you are that low?
and he said you know when you are fasting?? its like 100 times worse!
It always gets me emotional when he or Madi gets low because i know it isnt too far from that glucagon! especially at 33!! It is a huge fear of mine to have to use that!
Sunday, November 24, 2013
we asked our family and friends to wear blue for diabetes awareness in the month of November..
So many people do not know much or anything about Type 1 diabetes. Im so thankful for our family an friends who have shown support by wearing blue. Its not just a color or a shirt.. Its spreading awareness and also makes my kids feel good to know the people are wearing blue in support on THEM!
Last friday I posted this on facebook:
Hey guys its Friday.. im thankful Craig isnt shy about his Diabetes. He will educate people about it and isnt afraid to. his baseball coach told me he overheard a kid say ”what, are you a drug dealer and thats your pager?”
And Craig said, ”no, this keeps me alive!!” (about his pump) he has spoken at several assemblies to advocate for this disease. He proudly wore his Jdrf walk shirt today...will you wear blue in support of Diabetes awareness today??
He has had a lot of "comments" . one kid asked about his medical ID because he wears it every day. He said "it says I have type 1 diabetes" and the girl said "oh so its like Im so cool I have diabetes?" and he said "no, its like if I pass out or have a seizure, the ambulance will know that I have diabetes so I dont die"..she said, "oh...." I kind of expect it because kids dont know about it.. they have no idea what Type 1 is or how serious it is. Im just glad he isnt shy about telling them how it is:)
Ive had some terrible things said to and about me concerning diabetes and the fact that 2 of my kids have it...
That its because I ate too much sugar pregnant, or that we feed out children unhealthy food. neither are true.. They are healthy active kids! It was really hard at first to hear comments like these.. and Ive learned that people just dont know.. a lot of times when you educate them, they learn the truth.. and sometimes they continue to believe false facts about the disease. I am happy to answer questions, before you say anything rude, maybe you should learn the facts!
Here are some myths and facts about Type 1:
(http://jdrf.org/life-with-t1d/type-1-diabetes-information/myths-and-facts/)
myth: Taking insulin cures diabetes.
fact: Taking insulin keeps people with T1D alive, but does not cure the disease. While progress toward finding a cure has been substantial, there is still no cure for diabetes.
myth: Diabetes is caused by obesity, or eating too much sugar.
fact: While obesity has been identified as one of the “triggers” for type 2 diabetes, it has no relation to the cause of type 1 diabetes. Scientists do not yet know exactly what causes T1D, but they believe that both genetic and environmental factors are involved. Eating too much sugar is not a factor.
myth: With strict adherence to a specific diet and exercise plan, and multiple insulin injections each day based on careful monitoring of blood sugar levels, a person with T1D can easily gain tight control over his or her blood sugar levels. fact: While the above strategy is the most effective way to achieve and maintain tight control of blood sugar levels, optimal blood sugar control can be very difficult for some patients. Many factors, including stress, hormone changes, periods of growth, and illness can easily cause blood sugars to swing out of control. Teenagers, in particular, may be susceptible to this problem, as their bodies go through many changes during adolescence. Also, some people with type 1 find that even though they strive for tight control and follow their meal plan and insulin schedule, they still experience rapid fluctuations in their blood glucose. Those fluctuations do not mean the person with diabetes has done anything wrong.
myth: People with diabetes should never eat sweets. fact: Limiting sweets will help people with T1D keep their blood sugar under control, but, with advice from their doctor or nutritionist, sweets can fit into their meal plan, just as they would for people without diabetes. And there are times when sweets are a must: If the blood sugar level drops too low, sweets (or juice, or soda) can be the surest to raise it, and prevent the onset of hypoglycemia.
myth: People with diabetes can’t participate in athletics. fact: Physical exercise is important for everyone’s health, and is especially important for people with diabetes. Regular exercise helps lower blood sugar levels and keep them in the target range. There are countless examples of athletes who have had great success, from Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer Gary Hall to ice hockey great Bobby Clarke.
myth: Only kids get type 1 diabetes. fact: Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as “juvenile” or “juvenile onset” diabetes, is often first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults. However, people may develop T1D at any age.
So many people do not know much or anything about Type 1 diabetes. Im so thankful for our family an friends who have shown support by wearing blue. Its not just a color or a shirt.. Its spreading awareness and also makes my kids feel good to know the people are wearing blue in support on THEM!
Last friday I posted this on facebook:
Hey guys its Friday.. im thankful Craig isnt shy about his Diabetes. He will educate people about it and isnt afraid to. his baseball coach told me he overheard a kid say ”what, are you a drug dealer and thats your pager?”
And Craig said, ”no, this keeps me alive!!” (about his pump) he has spoken at several assemblies to advocate for this disease. He proudly wore his Jdrf walk shirt today...will you wear blue in support of Diabetes awareness today??
He has had a lot of "comments" . one kid asked about his medical ID because he wears it every day. He said "it says I have type 1 diabetes" and the girl said "oh so its like Im so cool I have diabetes?" and he said "no, its like if I pass out or have a seizure, the ambulance will know that I have diabetes so I dont die"..she said, "oh...." I kind of expect it because kids dont know about it.. they have no idea what Type 1 is or how serious it is. Im just glad he isnt shy about telling them how it is:)
Ive had some terrible things said to and about me concerning diabetes and the fact that 2 of my kids have it...
That its because I ate too much sugar pregnant, or that we feed out children unhealthy food. neither are true.. They are healthy active kids! It was really hard at first to hear comments like these.. and Ive learned that people just dont know.. a lot of times when you educate them, they learn the truth.. and sometimes they continue to believe false facts about the disease. I am happy to answer questions, before you say anything rude, maybe you should learn the facts!
Here are some myths and facts about Type 1:
(http://jdrf.org/life-with-t1d/type-1-diabetes-information/myths-and-facts/)
myth: Taking insulin cures diabetes.
fact: Taking insulin keeps people with T1D alive, but does not cure the disease. While progress toward finding a cure has been substantial, there is still no cure for diabetes.
myth: Diabetes is caused by obesity, or eating too much sugar.
fact: While obesity has been identified as one of the “triggers” for type 2 diabetes, it has no relation to the cause of type 1 diabetes. Scientists do not yet know exactly what causes T1D, but they believe that both genetic and environmental factors are involved. Eating too much sugar is not a factor.
myth: With strict adherence to a specific diet and exercise plan, and multiple insulin injections each day based on careful monitoring of blood sugar levels, a person with T1D can easily gain tight control over his or her blood sugar levels. fact: While the above strategy is the most effective way to achieve and maintain tight control of blood sugar levels, optimal blood sugar control can be very difficult for some patients. Many factors, including stress, hormone changes, periods of growth, and illness can easily cause blood sugars to swing out of control. Teenagers, in particular, may be susceptible to this problem, as their bodies go through many changes during adolescence. Also, some people with type 1 find that even though they strive for tight control and follow their meal plan and insulin schedule, they still experience rapid fluctuations in their blood glucose. Those fluctuations do not mean the person with diabetes has done anything wrong.
myth: People with diabetes should never eat sweets. fact: Limiting sweets will help people with T1D keep their blood sugar under control, but, with advice from their doctor or nutritionist, sweets can fit into their meal plan, just as they would for people without diabetes. And there are times when sweets are a must: If the blood sugar level drops too low, sweets (or juice, or soda) can be the surest to raise it, and prevent the onset of hypoglycemia.
myth: People with diabetes can’t participate in athletics. fact: Physical exercise is important for everyone’s health, and is especially important for people with diabetes. Regular exercise helps lower blood sugar levels and keep them in the target range. There are countless examples of athletes who have had great success, from Olympic Gold Medalist swimmer Gary Hall to ice hockey great Bobby Clarke.
myth: Only kids get type 1 diabetes. fact: Type 1 diabetes, formerly known as “juvenile” or “juvenile onset” diabetes, is often first diagnosed in children, teenagers, or young adults. However, people may develop T1D at any age.
Saturday, November 16, 2013
Blue for Diabetes awareness!!
Thank You to all of our family and friends who wore blue this month in support of Diabetes awareness month! We love you all!!
!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)