Comment by RRB on September 3, 2010 at 11:12am

Please google 504 Plan. Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. A 504 plan spells out the modifications and accommodations that will be needed for students to have the opportunity to perform at the same level as their peers, and might include such things as wheelchair ramps, blood sugar monitoring, etc. I have one for my daughter, co-written with the school administrators. Every teacher, bus driver, nurse, and cafertria staff member at school has a copy and must follow it. I can not comprehend the fact that a nurse WON'T let you test in her office. The definition of a nurse is - A person educated and trained to care for the sick or disabled. You are neither but clearly have medial needs. Educated she is not. Please keep your chin up!

Comment by T1Student on September 3, 2010 at 11:24am

Ella I am sorry to hear this is going on in your school and that you have to endure it. These kids are very uninformed and that is why they do this because they do not understand it. have you tried to educate them? My parents talked to my school and asked to let me test in the office or be excused to the restroom to do it and that gave me the privacy I needed to take care of things. I was blessed though my twin has type 1 as well so I was not alone as well as 2 other kids in the school who had it. So I knew I was not alone in this. If the pod is getting in your way so much have you thought to ask your parents if you could go back on shots till insurance covers the ping? less issues would arrive with nothing to make sounds? umm as for testing have you thought of testing before classes? I know you should not have to make changes to your treatment just to feel normal and not be hassled but you can't change the kids and their behavior. have you asked them why they have a problem with you taking care of your self explain to them that without proper care you could die? not being dramatic about it just trying to get the appoint across you know? with the teachers have you talked to them about it? if they understood what what going on they may be more understanding. if you talking to the teachers does not help ask your parents to talk to them. and same for the nurse have your parents talk to the nurse as well.

Comment by ella on September 3, 2010 at 1:10pm

thankyou SOOOO MUCH for the support. I have an IEP and I am suppose to test in class the nurse is VERY uneducated. I don't think she is a good nurse at all. I have passed out at 28 and she told me to get over it and move on. I have a lot of emotional problems from this no matter what I will keep testing as needed but maybe I can be able to test in the hall. as for my mom I have been telling her for years kids treat me horribly all she says is ignore well that does not work because it only makes it worse!

GOOD NEWS I just met another type one whom is my neighbor she is sooooo nice and we are going to hang out tomorrow.

Comment by Hope on September 3, 2010 at 4:10pm

I don't have any great advice, but I am sorry you are going through this. One thing I can say for sure is that things will get better for you in years to come! Kids who torment you now won't be a part of your life when you graduate and get a job or go to college. Find people you like now, and just try to focus on them. Hang in there!

Comment by Les on September 3, 2010 at 6:01pm

Too bad it is a surprise that the teachers and nurse do not understand. After being in the hospital, I found that nurses (and even doctors) either do not or do not want to understand. The suggestion as to checking into the law for disabilities act might give you some leverage. Best of luck.

Comment by SF Pete on September 3, 2010 at 7:28pm

Wow. It's been a while since I've been 15 but I see things haven't changed a bit. I don't remember being teased a lot. I was 13 when I was diagnosed. They don't understand. They seize on the thing that they consider a weakness and don't know when to give it a rest. It would be a real shock if they what they were talking about and frankly, it makes them look small-minded and unfit for human company. It is illegal to be harassed for your "disability" (at least under the American's with Disabilities Act -- chronic, continuing condition/disease). If they need to call in a diabetes educator to shut those trolls up, so be it. It is hard enough to be 15 and to be "different." Is the school nurse really a nurse or is she the school secretary who has to do double duty? Have your pod rep make a call and explain the technology to the school staff. You will get through this and will be a strong person. It's easy for me to say don't listen to them, but don't listen to them. They really are a bunch of stupid cows. So picture that, every one of those snots as dumb cows chewing cud. They've got as much class as an udder.

Comment by Sunshine on September 3, 2010 at 9:08pm

First, Ella, as a student in the US, you are entitled to be covered by a 504 plan. if you are not on one now, you and your parents need to get a letter from your doctor that says your diabetes needs can interfere with school (ie, time to test, etc). This documentation will need to go to either your school counselor or school psychologist. These people will write up a plan with you and mom that says things like, "needs opportunity to test, needs time to address needs as they arise, etc". This is a legal document and if teachers and staff don't follow it, they are breaking the law. 'Nuf said. (I am a school psychologist ;))

That said - your doctor may need to write up something to the nurse more specific. It isn't really fair to make you test in class. I realize they don't want you missing class, but you could go between to the nurses' office and it would be more sanitary. The doctor can specify that.

As far as not being able to do what you need to do, you are protected by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, 504, and the American's with Disabilities Act. If need be, you can go to the principal with the legal information and ask that person to help sort it out with teachers and students.

I wish I had the answer for those other kids. In many cases, the less you play into their "crap" the less they will mess with you, but it is hard, I know. I've been there. You can try educating them, but it may not be worth the hassle and your time. Ignorance isn't really curable in a lot who have no desire to learn, sadly.

The good news is you are almost out of HS.

Comment by Sunshine on September 3, 2010 at 9:11pm

Whoa! Okay - screw 504 - use the IEP. It is a legal document (sort of trumps the 504). Teachers and other kids should be aware of the IEP and should be forced to follow it. If not, go to the principal. If no help there, go to the district offices.

Your nurse can lose her job for not providing fit care. Passing out at 28 and being told to "get over it" are unfit! Document everything with your parents. Talk to the nurses' supervisor. This is not excusable and you shouldn't be in danger because SHE is ignorant.

Ugh, Ella. I worry more about the adults at your school!

Hang in there :(

Comment by 870allamerican on September 4, 2010 at 6:49am

Hi Ella,
I was dx'd in 1958 at the age of 3. Went thru all of my school years with my/our BIG life challenge. As already said, there are things you can do. I chose to let it roll off my back. The more people realize that it does not seem to bother they will stop.
Have you looked into a CGM yet? It may help with your situation.

Comment by DeniseC on September 4, 2010 at 7:16am

Ella, I am sorry that you have to deal with this. It is not fair. Here you are doing an amazing job taking care of yourself and there you are in school having to swim upstream against the people who should be helpful to you. I wonder if you can print out your blog post and the replies - then, take it to your guidance counselor or a teacher you think you can trust, and see if you can get them to help you. When I was 15 I had a lot of stuff I was dealing with, not diabetes though - and there were teachers who were just ignorant and without much compassion. I found others who cared and they helped me to endure and grow in spite of a few idiots. Hope this helps Ella. Good luck! D

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