This is the update version of the "Helping the Student with Diabetes succeed: A Guide for School Personnel."
Just click here: School Guide
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Feburary Parents/Caregivers Meeting
On Sunday, February 13th at 1pm a Parent/Caregivers Support meeting will take place at Peter White Public Library in the Dandelion Cottage room. Coffee and treats will be provided. We will discussion what speakers parents would like to hear from this year and plan events for the kids.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Books
Understanding Diabetes: A handbook for people who are living with diabetes. 11th ed. By H. Peter Chase, MD. This is a must-read handbook for teens or parents of children newly diagnosed with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes. Dr. Chase discusses the difference between Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, the important role of blood sugar monitoring and how insulin works in the body.
487 Really Cool Tips for Kids with Diabetes by Spike Nasmyth Loy and Bo Nasmyth Loy. When two young brothers were diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at ages 6 and 7 years old, their parents put together some great ideas for preschoolers to college student living with diabetes. Also check out their other book, Getting a Grip on Diabetes : quick tips and techniques for kids and teens.
My Life as a Pancreas by Priscilla Call Essert. You will laugh and cry with the author of this book. Essert writes from the heart while reflecting on her life as a caregiver for her son with Type 1 diabetes. This is a great read for any parent living and loving their diabetic child.
Check out these children’s books to help your child with diabetes or their classmates to understand what their friend is going through: Why Am I So Tired?: A first look at childhood diabetes by Thomas Pat and Even Superhero’s get Diabetes by Sue Ganz-Schmitt. These books help explain diabetes so children can understand, while focusing on the inner strength of a person to deal with a life long disease.
Check out these children’s books to help your child with diabetes or their classmates to understand what their friend is going through: Why Am I So Tired?: A first look at childhood diabetes by Thomas Pat and Even Superhero’s get Diabetes by Sue Ganz-Schmitt. These books help explain diabetes so children can understand, while focusing on the inner strength of a person to deal with a life long disease.
Snack play is an important role in diabetes and here are two great cookbooks. Diabetes Snacks, Treats and Easy Eats : 130 recipes you’ll make again and again by Barbara Grunes with Linda R. Youkam is one. My favorite, The Diabetes Munch Nibble Nosh Book 3rd ed. by Ruth Glick, is the second. You will never run out of ideas for tasty treats with these two cookbooks. Each recipe also lists calories, fat and carbohydrate counts.
If you need to give your eyes a rest from reading, check out these DVDs: Diabetes Hero Video : five unique Upper Peninsula Michigan residents share their stories of living with Diabetes; for parents who need supportive advice check out Moving Forward—with Diabetes: insights from parents of children with Diabetes by Arnold Creek Productions; or to help your child learn more about nutrition watch Learn Nutrition by Standard Deviants.
Contact list for local Children's Special Health Care Services
This is the contact list for the state of Michigan.
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/CONTACTSATAGLANCE_177646_7.doc
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mdch/CONTACTSATAGLANCE_177646_7.doc
Health Insurance
Do you live in Michigan and need health insurance for your child? Or do you need supplemental insurance to help cover the cost of care? Please check out the site and feel free to pass it on.
MDCH - General Information For Families About "Children's Special Health Care Services" (CSHCS)
http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2942_4911_35698-15087--,00.html
MDCH - General Information For Families About "Children's Special Health Care Services" (CSHCS)
http://www.michigan.gov/mdch/0,1607,7-132-2942_4911_35698-15087--,00.html
Sunday, January 30, 2011
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.
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.
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