My school stinks.

[DesertCoyote93]

I do not like my school for a bunch of reasons

1.They will not let me put my insulin in the refigorator in the office. They think that another kid may go into the fridge and mess with it.

2.They do not have a nurse

3.They will not allow me to keep shots in the nurses office and the teachers dont want the resposibillity of carrying them

4.They will not let me carry my Glucagon shot incase I pass out because no one knows how to use it.
There is no other school around that I could go to...
The good news is that this is my last year in the Middle School.

I had to get a 504 plan so I could drink water in class and for other reasons but it does not cover any of the info above.

What should I do about all these problems??
HELP!

[Cyborg]

Last year in middle or not, it's not too late to update your 504. What your school is doing, by prohibiting you access to your insulin, is illegal. BTW, the school gets extra funding for your 504, you should at least get access to fresh insulin... Good luck

[rzrbks]

Have you and your parents visited with the principal or building suprevisor?

You might see if there is a teacher that you get along with who will help you out in some way.

Part of the trouble is that so many teachers around the country have been sued, taken to court or fired for "Bending the Rules" that it's getting harrder and harder for them to do the Right thing.

[JediSkipdogg]

I would set up a meeting with the principal and see what you can work out. Rzrbks brought up the main point for why alot of things are hard. Yeah, we know, it's not like someone is going to steal your insulin to get high off it, however, if it's not monitored properly, then lawsuits can happens. Parents sue for anythign these days.

Try to update the 504 plan and see where you can go from there.

[Funnygrl]

Once a bottle of insulin is open, there's nothing keeping it in the fridge will do to prolong it's life. I don't get the part about they don't have a nurse, and they make you keep insulin in the nurse's office? So where do you take your insulin? It sounds like your school may need to hear the word "attorny" from your parents.

[Harold]

Since your in the desert maybe a frio pack for your insulin and shots. Would they let you carry a frio pack?

[ramrummy]

What should I do about all these problems??
HELP![/QUOTE]

The answer to this question is simply to tell your parents, it is their responsibility to go to the school and sort this out. I am all for you taking responsibility for the day to day management of diabetes, but you do need a supervising adult to go into bat for you. I understand from the others on this forum that a 504 plan is a legal document and that it is illegal for the school to be doing what they are, but I do not understand why you are being responsible for dealing with this instead of your parents/guardians. Talk to them.

[archimeech]

I am SOOOO glad I'm not a kid anymore! I was very lucky in the early to mid 80s my school let me carry my stuff on me at all times. I never had an issue with my diabetes supplies or eating something if I needed to. Get your parents involved, and find an advocate in your town to help you deal with the school. Wether that person is a Lawyer or a Doctor or a CDE. You need an adult to help take charge of this situation for you.

[photochick]

Yeah when I was in highschool (grad 2006) they did that **** to me my junior year (i had just been diagnosed and didn't know what a 504 or any of that was until much later). The school didn't give me any paper work like that. I couldn't carry my blood monitor with me or even food of any kind in case of a low. Everything diabetic related of mine had to stay in the office. And unfortunately I was later removed from school because of hospital stays and various other really bad illnesses. I know how you feel and it's terrible to be stuck in that kind of situation. I ended up going to a different school the next year and everything worked out for me but serious you need to do something now, before something bad happens to you. Having you parents mention the word attorney usually gets some action started.

[Belinda]

I can't say this enough...504 and for yours to say drink water etc. in class due to diabetes is a crock....if they won't let you treat your diabetes.


I am so THANKFUL that our school district is on top of the 504 plans. There is not a diabetic in my school that can't have access to a frig, meter, food etc....There was even a student that needed insulin at school and had forgotten to update her bottle there so with phone permission from the parent she used my insulin that is in the frig in my class. Ignorance is bliss except for when it counts.

[Cyborg]

A 504 plan is something that needs to be done every year. It is a proactive thing that the parents and student need to participate in with the teachers and school staff every year. In the 504, you have to spell out what type of access to your medications, meters, etc. that you will have. If the school representitives will not allow you to put reasonable accomodations into the 504 plan (http://www.access4allergickids.com/Section-504-FAQs.html) then there is a complaint proccess.

[gettingby]

I, like Meech, never had any problems. Of course this was back in the 80's. I never had to have my insulin at school (NPH/Reg, breakfast and dinner) but I was always allowed to leave to test and treat if necessary. I don't think I ever had or needed anything like a 504 back then. Of course, my mom could be a bulldog if necessary. haha. Ahhhh.......... the trouble free days of not having to worry if someone would use a needle as a weapon.

[Cyborg]

The whole "insulin is a weapon" argument doesn't sit well with me. Let's consider a sharpened pencil for a moment... :hmmmm2:

[JediSkipdogg]

The whole "insulin is a weapon" argument doesn't sit well with me. Let's consider a sharpened pencil for a moment... :hmmmm2:

True, but the number of students causing harm with a pencil is very small. The number of students shooting up drgs is higher, and if you give them a means to conceal it, then it's even easier. Not to mention, during school hours the school is responsible for your care. If you inject an entire vial, then parents could sue the school. I don't know of it happening with insulin, but I know with other drugs.

[gettingby]

The whole "insulin is a weapon" argument doesn't sit well with me. Let's consider a sharpened pencil for a moment... :hmmmm2:
I agree Cyborg. When I was in high school, a lot of the "druggies" would come to me and ask for syringes. My reply: "F OFF !!!!!!! I need to do this for my health and you think it's fun to shoot up? Get a life !!!!!!!!!!"
Sorry but I could be pretty mouthy in high school. lol

[spike]

I do not like my school for a bunch of reasons

1.They will not let me put my insulin in the refigorator in the office. They think that another kid may go into the fridge and mess with it.



Your insulin will be fine during the day, at room temperature. It will last at LEAST a month at room temp.

[Eri's mom]

I would definitely have your parents go to the school and get their attention.
My daughter has never had a problem w/ leaving her supplies in the office, etc...
It's actually time that I set up another meeting for a new 504.

[shoop99]

wow my school like totally ignores that i have diabetes. I basically told them and they asked me a couple of questions and that was that. I carry my insulin pen and my meter in my bookbag. And keep a snack on handy...of course i am in high school..it might be a little different.

[right2fight]

While 504 is a law, so is IDEA, both of which would protect your rights in school. It's very important that if the school is refusing to put in place, first of all it is documented in writing. Then file a complaint with the US DOE,Office for Civil Rights, they enforce it.