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The Holbrook Family

4 Comments on “The Holbrook Family”

• Carol Aug 22, 2010 (2 years ago)
  We handle school by homeschooling. In our rural area we have 1 nurse for the entire county. She is at each school about once every 1.5 weeks. The school says they will not allow others to test BS or give insulin shots and I would have to come tot he school each time it was needed.
  
  I will say it is likely we would have homeschooled anyways as we feel our children get a more well rounded education at home that reflects our values but that really made the decision for us. Even if we were to relocate to a more populated area that had a nurse in the school I think we would continue to school at home.
• Beth Crane Aug 17, 2010 (2 years ago)
  My son is a type 1 diabetic, starting 5th grade. He was diagnosed when he was 5, just starting kindergarten. We have handled the school by first and foremost always being available. This is getting easier as my son gets older. I pushed my son's school to have a full time nurse on staff when at first there wasnt one. They told me there was nothing they could do about that, but they were wrong. The law in Illinois states that a child must have what they need to get through their school day, and for my son this meant having someone available to be able to treat any kind of problem that could arise due to his diabetes. Things were rough at first, but now that the school is cooperating it is getting better. My son is now old enough to advocate for himself which helps too.
  My advice to you is to not settle for anything less than what you feel your child needs. Find out the law and contact an attorney if necessary. Get a 504 plan in place to protect your child's rights. There are sample 504 plans on www.childrenwithdiabetes.com. Be friendly but firm in your expectations of the school district. Meet the expectation of what your school needs from you also - we have a home to school journal to communicate daily blood sugars and any problems, or if we need to send anything to school. We keep a meter in the nurse's office and in the classroom and supply hi-c juice boxes for lows. We've had to teach the nurse and the teachers what we expect and how to handle my son. Always be willing to do that and then expect them to execute your wishes - put the wishes in writing a.k.a the 504 plan. Good luck to you for the upcoming school year!
• Chris Aug 17, 2010 (2 years ago)
  For school, I print out copies of an informational handout about my son and diabetes. A layman's version of what diabetes is, signs and symptoms, things my son could need (the bathroom, to leave to check his blood sugar, sugar tabs, water). I give a copy to the school nurse and all of his teachers.
  
  I also exercise to help me feel better!!
  Good luck to you and your kiddos!
• Linda Malia Aug 17, 2010 (2 years ago)
  Hi! Our almost 5 yr old daughter, diagnosed on 12/23/09 will be starting K this year - we contacted the school about a 504 plan when we registered her and they already have it in place. We also have a meeting w/all care takers next week, right before school starts so that everyone is on the same page. She is still on shots so she'll get her BS checked before am snack, before lunch, and before she gets on the bus to come home, w/a sliding scale insulin shot each time. Our school seems to be very knowledgable about T1D and has their routine in place, including an "emergency team". There is a full time nurse at our school who will be doing BS checks and injections. All bus drivers are educated in T1D, and the teacher will be giving the students in her class a talk on the subject on the first day. I believe everything's been covered, but I'm still a nervous wreck!!! I feel like plastering "I have Diabetes" signs all over her the first day!

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