Unsafe At School: Advocating for Children with Type 1 Diabetes*

 

 

 

“All students should have equitable access to learning, opportunities for achievement and the pursuit of excellence in all aspects of their educational programs”. “Health and learning are interdependent.”  (B.C. Ministry of Education website: Special Education Services)

 

Children with Type 1 Diabetes attending public schools in B.C. are being systemically restricted in their educational opportunities, developmental achievements and in the medical management required for their health and safety because, at present, The Ministry of Education, The Ministry of Health and Nursing Support Services fail to provide for all basic medical needs of diabetic children while at school. Present care plan models reflect older models of insulin therapy and are often incongruous with current diabetes management. The restrictions embedded within these current care plans are particularly inappropriate for young children or children who cannot self-manage as issues like blood-glucose testing, insulin injections and insulin pump boluses are beyond these students’ abilities. Parents, in conjunction with their child’s Endocrinologist (diabetes specialist doctor) and School Team, should be permitted to provide a diabetes care plan specifically designed to maximize learning outcomes while ensuring the safety of each specific diabetic child. Consequently, educational aides should be trained to provide full-support care, including injections and pump boluses, if this is what is necessary to keep a child safe and able to have scholastic success at school.

 

Ultimately, an up-to-date level of care needs to be established and consistently carried out in the province of B.C. Until that is done, children with Type 1 Diabetes in B.C. public schools will remain “at risk” and unsafe at school.

 

 

 

*Unsafe At School: Advocating for Children with Type 1 Diabetes is a group of parents who are concerned about the lack of support in B.C. schools for children with T1D. Its members include John Paul Morrison, Denise Brackstone, Chris Klutftinger, Lila Yewchuk, Kim McEachren, Robert Ribic, Suzanne Ribic, Darcy Pocklington, Todd Pocklington, James Peltier, Jennifer Peltier, Karen Hammond, and Krystin Clark Goodsell.

Human Rights Complaint

You can also read about Advocating for Children with Type 1 Diabetes and other issues related to individuals of all ages living with Type 1 Diabetes by subscribing to the free monthly e-newsletter 'In Control - A Type 1 Diabetes Resource Newsletter'.  Send a subscription request to: incontrolnewsletter@gmail.com