High School troubles

Nejeda · #1 (**permalink**) 09-17-2006, 03:30 PM

So I just started 11th grade, I'm a junior now. Woot.

The past four years I've been allowed to carry my monitor and insulin pen on my person and do my thing in the restroom right after I eat. And I've NEVER had a problem. Well this year, entering the new building I am not allowed to do this. It's difficult enough to get lunch with all the bodies in that lunch room... but they want me to stop and test my sugar BEFORE lunch, not only that, but take my shot BEFORE I eat. But how am I supposed to do so, when I am a carb counter? I don't know what I'm going to eat before I get there, especially since they don't post the menu anywhere that I can see.

So for the past three weeks I've been going to the nurse to test my sugar and take my insulin AFTER I eat my lunch, which hasn't been healthy, or yummy.

The prices are so high it's silly, and ontop of that, it's hard to get in line for lunch and keep my spot with all the other *LARGER* guys cutting infront of me, and pushing me out of the way. Yes, quite literally pushing me aside. So I barely have time to eat, I found myself having a bottle of water for lunch last Friday. The only reason it worked was because I was so upset about the whole lunch room situation that I had sent my blood sugar up to 234.

Can anyone suggest anything for me? I've tried talking to the principal, and he isn't going to move on his stand on this. He absolutely WILL NOT let me carry my supplies. And carrying my lunch also isn't in the cards because of the school's rules of what we are and aren't allowed to carry into school.

I could use any and all help?

Cyborg · #2 (**permalink**) 09-17-2006, 03:38 PM

A poster recently stated that a 504 can be obtained for diabetics. As part of a 504 plan, they would probably have to allow to take your meter and insulin with you to lunch. If not, you could have your parents call and mention a lawyer...

corwin · #3 (**permalink**) 09-17-2006, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nejeda

So I just started 11th grade, I'm a junior now. Woot.

Woot!!! Congratulations.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nejeda

The past four years I've been allowed to carry my monitor and insulin pen on my person and do my thing in the restroom right after I eat. And I've NEVER had a problem. Well this year, entering the new building I am not allowed to do this.

Are you serious? Who is telling you not to carry your insulin? I don't think you should accept this rule no matter who's rule it is. Get your parents involved if you have to. Just carry it and refuse to stop doing that. It's the weirdest rule I've ever heard and I don't think you should accept it. I know that at school teachers\principals can be silly sometimes, especially about something they don't understand like diabetes, but you are insulin DEPENDENT and as such nobody should deny you of carrying it on your person.

Nejeda · #4 (**permalink**) 09-17-2006, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by corwin

Are you serious? Who is telling you not to carry your insulin? I don't think you should accept this rule no matter who's rule it is. Get your parents involved if you have to. Just carry it and refuse to stop doing that. It's the weirdest rule I've ever heard and I don't think you should accept it. I know that at school teachers\principals can be silly sometimes, especially about something they don't understand like diabetes, but you are insulin DEPENDENT and as such nobody should deny you of carrying it on your person.

The principal called me the day before school started and told me that under no circumstances am I allowed to carry it. Apparently they had "an issue" with "a diabetic" a "few years ago."

Here's where I make a face of disbelief!

DeusXM · #5 (**permalink**) 09-17-2006, 03:53 PM

It's discrimination, pure and simple. My suggestion is to issue a formal complaint to the principal. And then if you he asks you if you've got a problem, tell him it's nothing that a lawsuit can't solve. This is a clear violation of any human rights and disability discrimination law around in the West.

Make it very clear that they might have had 'an issue' with 'a diabetic' a few years ago but that the issue they had will seem really insignificant compared to the legal bill they'll be facing.

Cyborg · #6 (**permalink**) 09-17-2006, 03:56 PM

It's truly amazing how ignorant some of our educators can be...

spike · #7 (**permalink**) 09-17-2006, 04:16 PM

Have your parents contact a lawyer. The school officials need a wake-up call and it doesn't sound like they will listen to students or parents. that should be their top priority for Monday.

sbuff28@charter · #8 (**permalink**) 09-17-2006, 06:03 PM

Haha please that is total BS. If you live in America go to the principal with your parents if possible. (set up an appt) Then threaten legal action with ur parents and he will never try to tell u what to do ever again. Its your lifeline as far as your concerned. YOUR HEALTH AT A BS of 234 is simply not healthy and you can definatly sue for that. Im sure its covered in the Medical Act of 1996 or whatever. I would not take that BS at all, Stand up to them, they need to realize how important it is to your health to be able to take care of your condition whenever you need to. period.

As far as the guys cuttin you in line... just spend a lil bit and think of a good joke or 1 liner next time to let them know... theres ways of tellin people its not cool without being a jerk about it.

trailrunner · #9 (**permalink**) 09-17-2006, 10:39 PM

Absolutly contact a lawyer! Do not delay! As a parent, if my child told me this I would be infuriated! I think that is against the americans with disability act. Get a note from your doctor saying how important it is for you to carry your insulin around with you. Get their butts on the line for this. Your principle is an ignorant ***.

JasonJayhawk · #10 (**permalink**) 09-17-2006, 11:43 PM

Ridiculous... no... ludicrous!

As you know, Nedjeda, people who "think" they know about diabetes actually do not. Even the nurse you deal with probably thinks she's managing something very unique "for you," but in reality, they don't know it until they've lived with it (or a family member with Type 1). If they know someone with Type 2, they've still got it all wrong, and yet think they know it all.

I'm assuming you live in the USA. If so, you can get a 504 plan. You'll have this all resolved. A good tactic on getting them to do what you want is to make them think they're helping you (human nature is that people like to help).

Here's where you can go to get a rough template for your 504 plan:

http://www.childrenwithdiabetes.com/504/

The school must accept it if they receive federal funding. If not, contact the ADA by finding their phone number for your area (www.diabetes.org). They will appoint a lawyer for you to resolve your situation, to allow you to help the people who do not yet know how much they want to help you. The ADA may even appoint someone to meet with the school, and the volunteer lawyers in your area will get you the funding you need for college should they refuse your right to carry medical equipment with you.

The "line cutters", unfortunately, if they have not grown up by this stage in high school, they will never grow up. Don't waste too much time feeling sorry for them or else it will frustrate you when you think about the unemployment benefits you pay them ten years from now.

Check into the Multiclix lancet device (from Accuchek) -- it has no sharp parts to it, and showing them a device like this might help allow you to carry your test kit around.

As far as the principal's excuse about that past diabetic, he/she needs to get over it and move on.

Lex4153 · #11 (**permalink**) 09-18-2006, 03:02 AM

When I was in highschool, I kept my own meter in the nurse's office and separate insulin in the fridge so I didn't have to take anything to school with me. They were very good about letting me treat my diabetes. I think it's insane that they won't allow you to carry your things with you.

Also, when getting this resolved with your parents or lawyer or whatever, request-no, demand!-that you get to leave your last class before lunch five minutes early so you have enough time to get to lunch, test your blood sugar, take your insulin, and have proper time to eat. I remember lunch period was 30 minutes but it sometimes took 25 minutes to get through the **** lunch line! Ridiculous all in itself!

Please let us know how it goes!!

DeusXM · #12 (**permalink**) 09-18-2006, 03:18 AM

Quote:

The prices are so high it's silly, and ontop of that, it's hard to get in line for lunch and keep my spot with all the other *LARGER* guys cutting infront of me, and pushing me out of the way. Yes, quite literally pushing me aside. So I barely have time to eat, I found myself having a bottle of water for lunch last Friday. The only reason it worked was because I was so upset about the whole lunch room situation that I had sent my blood sugar up to 234

.

[angry young man mode]
Tell the principle that a little needle will be the least of his problems compared to the knife you're going to pull on those jerks unless he sorts out the discipline in his school.
[/angry young man]

Stuboy · #13 (**permalink**) 09-18-2006, 03:33 AM

this is the most ridiculous thing i've ever heard sinse my own diagnosis... can't carry your insulin?? OBSERD!! This is your lifeline and as such you have a RIGHT to carry it with you at all times.
I agree with others, threaten legal action, you could try going above your principle too, to the education authorities. ****, tell the local NEWSPAPER! Tell them that your school wont allow you to carry your life support on your person. Pure discrimination.

Boiled my blood that has! Good luck to you... oh, and dont let them big guys push you around!!

Belinda · #14 (**permalink**) 09-18-2006, 04:37 AM

I havent' said it enough...ALL DIABETIC STUDENTS NEED A 504 PLAN this way they are covered under federal guidelines and if a school administrator says they don't use 504 they are LYING and then you suggest legal actions.

Please parents if you have a child in school get them a 504

JediSkipdogg · #15 (**permalink**) 09-18-2006, 04:55 AM

Actually, in many states it is illegal for students to possess any drug prescription or non on school premises without giving it to authorized personel. That means that upon entering the school, you must drop off your drugs/medications with the school nurse and take them in their supervision. The reason for this is because during school hours while you are on school property, the school is responsible for your well-being. So if you overdose on a drug/medication, the school is held liable and then opened to lawsuits if you did it on school property. I know, it sucks, but that's the case and way it is in many states because people abused it by selling their medications to others.

As for the getting legal action....keep this in mind...alot don't think in the future. Court cases take months, if not years. And during that time, you have to follow the schools policies. If you don't, one is open to suspension or expulsion. Oh, so you say you will sue over that too? Well, what do you do when you are suspended and miss 30 days of school? You can't catch up 30 days worth of work easily, not to mention you may fail alot of tests homework in doing so, especially if it's a senior year with senior proficiency tests, SATs, ACTs, AP tests, etc. So now you are held back in a grade, geee....I guess getting to carry your medications was worth being held back/getting worse grades.

The last part is my opinion and yes, it has happened.