[JediSkipdogg]

Originally Posted by HollyB

Clear backpacks? I've never seen one.

These are very common here in Cincinnati. I'm not sure how they are in other areas but after the Columbine incident and then a few other ones, many schools around here mandated them.



They offer ZERO privacy but near maximum security. They take an element out of the loop for ways for kids to get guns and other weapons into schools. And if you think you can put a pencil bag or something else inside, most places, that's WRONG. Everything has to be as visible as possible in them. It's sad what criminals have done.

[Funnygrl]

Originally Posted by HollyB

And just to remind everyone of Nejeda's original problem: If she goes to take her insulin in the office before lunch (which is when you should take your insulin), she doesn't yet know what she's going to eat SO how much insulin will she take? She's going to have to take some "average" lunch dose, then go to the cafeteria and try to put together a lunch with the right number of carbs in it. And (do I actually understand this correctly? Another thing I can hardly believe) apparently she's not allowed to bring her own lunch, which would nicely solve the problem.

Bringing her own lucnh is a good idea. I'm not sure if she is allowed to do this, but I would definitely think that would be a "reasonable accomodation" under section 504.

Another reasonable accomodation would be the school providing carb counts.

[Mich]

Nejeda,

What kind of feeling did you get from the diabetic teacher who helped you? Was she insulin dependent? Did she seem like a "together" person?

She may be the very person to go to in this predicament. She would know or have access to rules and also know how to make things work for you. If she is insulin dependent, she will understand the need for having your meter with you at all times.

I do think your parents should get involved and file the correct papers so that the school does not have to be responsible for your insulin dosage. Some administrators are insurance-concious to the point of being ridiculous and it sounds like your current principal may be one of these.

Somehow, I just can't see someone selling insulin behind the bleachers (wink wink) but it may be better to let things calm down a bit.I strongly feel that the nurse should not be horning in on your dosages--that should be completely up to you. Perhaps the diabetic teacher can be helpful in explaining both that and your need for a fast and accurate way to check you glucose.

I wish you well in this. It is hard to be on a school schedule and deal with diabetes (both as a student and as a teacher.) You need all the back-up you can get.

Mich

[Cyborg]

Nejeda, are you or your parents pursuing a 504 plan?

[dekockc]

It makes me really sad to read about your ordeal! Diabetes is hard enough as it is. I have a child (aged 6) with Type 1 and I cannot tell you how good the school and teachers have been. He goes to the office whenever he is not feeling OK and if he is low, they give him glucose etc. If it is high they phone me and I go and inject him (even in class sometimes!) Fortunaely it is not often. They have all been so caring and supportive. In South Africa (where we live) we do not even have a law like your school bill 504 (or whatever it is called). They do it out of the goodness of their hearts. You should definitely take a stand on this, with your parents, and not let them get away with this lack of compassion !! All the best with your efforts. Hope to read soon that things have improved.

[HollyB]

I'm sorry, state policy or no, I believe this is a human rights violation. These "rules" can all be made to seem vaguely reasonable until you try applying them anywhere else. Given that it's not only teens who can be unstable, violent, hostile, disturbed, and do bad things, and that it's not only at school they might do these things... let's see. Supposing Nejeda goes to a movie with her friends after school. Perhaps she should check her supplies with the bus driver, in case she tries to sell some insulin to the rubbie sitting behind her. At the theatre, she should leave her meter and insulin at the ticket booth, because what if she stabbed a patron in a rage??? (Too bad if she wants popcorn.) How would the adults among us like to have to keep our meter and supplies at the HR office, and "sign in" to use them? Hmm, what about restaurant meals? I guess the cashier or chef better keep ahold of your stuff.

for Gawd's sake.

[JediSkipdogg]

Originally Posted by HollyB

I'm sorry, state policy or no, I believe this is a human rights violation. These "rules" can all be made to seem vaguely reasonable until you try applying them anywhere else. Given that it's not only teens who can be unstable, violent, hostile, disturbed, and do bad things, and that it's not only at school they might do these things... let's see. Supposing Nejeda goes to a movie with her friends after school. Perhaps she should check her supplies with the bus driver, in case she tries to sell some insulin to the rubbie sitting behind her. At the theatre, she should leave her meter and insulin at the ticket booth, because what if she stabbed a patron in a rage??? (Too bad if she wants popcorn.) How would the adults among us like to have to keep our meter and supplies at the HR office, and "sign in" to use them? Hmm, what about restaurant meals? I guess the cashier or chef better keep ahold of your stuff.

for Gawd's sake.

One word, JUVENILE. And even if a person is 18, they are still a juvenile on school premises and under the lawful custody and care of the school. Therefore, anything that happens on school grounds involving medicine that they knowing let a student carry with them, put them open to a million dollar lawsuit. I can't think of any major case studies now, but I'm sure there's been some.

[Dewey]

Originally Posted by JediSkipdogg

One word, JUVENILE. And even if a person is 18, they are still a juvenile on school premises and under the lawful custody and care of the school. Therefore, anything that happens on school grounds involving medicine that they knowing let a student carry with them, put them open to a million dollar lawsuit. I can't think of any major case studies now, but I'm sure there's been some.

It's a da** shame that that's the case. I Never had problems like that in high school...I said it before and will say it again - It's a da** sad state of affairs when a student cannot even carry his or her own meds & administer them as needed...

[JediSkipdogg]

Originally Posted by Dewey

It's a da** shame that that's the case. I Never had problems like that in high school...I said it before and will say it again - It's a da** sad state of affairs when a student cannot even carry his or her own meds & administer them as needed...

Wanna know what's just as sad? Today we had an assault at our high school. Here's how the **** thing happened....

One of the worst juveniles we had was arrested about a month ago. This kid has a rap sheet as long as my arm, and he's only 16. He was placed in Juvenile Detention until his case was heard and fully ended. The reason he was in jail in the first place was because he threated another student and his mom, a very serious threat that we took seriously knowing this kid's past.

Well, somehow today he got released on good behavior so that he could attend high school. He was released yesterday and this morning made a threat that he was going to assualt the kid after school today. Well, it happened before school just when it was started.

It's kids like that that just abuse everything for the rest. And if you just lock them up in juvenile detention till they are 18 then you get yelled at for messing with their life during their developmental stage and not teaching them right from wrong.

It sucks, and it sucks more when it comes to Juveniles.

Not sure how many remember my article a few months back about a 16 year old killing a mother and unborn daughter cause he was reaching for his cell phone. Well, he got 5 years of prison for that and no other sentence. He'll most likely be out in 2-3. It's called the American Anti-Justice system. Unfair treatment for the right ones.

[Nejeda]

No, my dad was more interested in the part of plan that talked about me not losing credit if I miss school because of my diabetes. *sighs* It's almost as if my parents don't care. Which I know isn't the case, but they really don't feel that pursuing this will do anything.

As for the teacher, they are insulin-dependent and they understand where I am coming from. The teacher has helped me a great deal, they have encourged me to take some action within the school just myself. Since I work in the office, I talk to the principals everyday and have gotten them to understand where I'm coming from, and they have let me leave class early to go to the nurse, and they make sure that I get lunch, even if I have to eat it in the office. Also we are discussing the chance of me carrying my mointor with me so I can test, just not my insulin pen.

I guess once they met me, and got to know me, they found out I wasn't going to kill someone with my diabetic supplies.

[Mich]

Nejeda,

I am so glad to hear things are going a little easier for you. As a retired teacher, I was pretty sure the teacher would be your best ally. I advocated for the diabetic students at our school, dealing with a principal who was "Mr Rules" when he didn't use common sense.

I'm glad you are discussing carrying your meter. If you got so low that you passed out, they would have a REAL problem on their hands, easily avoidable.

Keeping your pen in the office but giving you free access is a compromise, but a workable one.

I'm very relieved to hear of your progress. Mich

[Nejeda]

As are my parents. They seems to to act as though they would have done something now that I've got it under control.

But I'm just glad it's all going a bit more smoothly.

[xMenace]

I'd be bringing my lunches and pumping my boluses. But that's just me. I hate lineups.