Safe at School

Jacob is now in the 5th grade and at a school that does everything I have every asked for with his diabetic care.  It was not always like that.

Before starting Kindergarten we meet with our local school to talk about his medical care and was assured all would be handled.  The school wrote up a plan.  We were wrong.  One the first day of school they told me they couldn't give him shots.  I spent half a year coming to school ,with my 2 year old in tow, to give shots or fill in when the aide was not available.  It was a great disappointment and I considered homeschooling.  I can't explain how angry I felt.  I met with the Principal, the school nurse as well as the Superintendent.  I called the American Diabetes Association, U.P. Diabetes Outreach Network, and the state.

The administration assured us the next year would be better but it started off very rocky.  They were not prepared but did hire a home health worker but she was not up to date on Type I Diabetes care.  I did come prepared that year with my own 504 plan and DMMP (Diabetic Medical Management Plan).  I pushed to have an Aide trained in Type I Diabetes care.  I did not feel counting on a teacher with 25 other students to look after a good choice.  It took the school almost half the year to hire an Aide for the classroom to take care of Jacob, in the meantime they paid me to take care of my own child (they legally had too).   I was not happy with that situation. 

By the time he entered the second grade, things started getting better.  They hired a second aide so there would always be a backup.  I no longer had to be the backup.  I could just be a regular mom. Third grade was better and I was happy with his care.  We did switch school by the forth grade due to changes in class size and learning style.

The public school in the Marquette area now allows checking blood sugars in the classroom, shots, treating lows/highs and pumping.  I believe they all have Diabetic Aides in each elementary school. 

Jacob no longer needs an aide.  He goes to our local charter school, where the class size is small.  He has matured enough to understand how to look after himself.  The staff has been trained and his teachers do look out for him.  I could not ask for a safer place for him to be.