OK so I'm just curious if there really are diabetic rights? As far as, for example, why can't we join military even if we have good control? I don't know, I guess I'm biased. It makes sense to me, it just frustrates me at the same time :)
my ex-bf was in the military. i asked him the same question and his answer made complete sense.
basically, even with good control you still experience highs and lows--lows being a more immediate danger. if you are in combat and experience a low blood sugar, you are now a liability to those you are fighting with and supposedly protecting. insulin is an imperfect treatment meaning there are side effects. in war, you need to be able to protect those around you. when dealing with diabetes, you may not be able to do that. if you think about, diabetes is a "selfish" disease because at certain times, it really does have to be "all about you." also, there would be no way to keep a sanitary supply of medications with you. you are constantly on the move and may not be near clean water or have ice packs handy to keep your insulin cold in 140 degree heat.
HOWEVER (this is really exciting) someone i know was recently diagnosed with t1 and had been in the military for 10 years. he fought (took it the highest level possible in the military) and was allowed to stay on with the military, on a desk-job basis. he is the first diabetic allowed to stay in the military!
i dont think i need any of those rights enforced in school because this year my teacher was just yeah, do what you need to take the best possible care of yourself(i even had unlimited access to the phone, though i rarely used it) now, i off to a high school that is named after charles best(i expect you all to know who he is without googling it)
i would love to see some laws for michigan. I am fighting with my sons school now and said i will pull him from the district if i dont get what he needs. our doctor WILL NOT and I WILL NOT let him do his own shots he is TOO YOUNG ... the school say they cant give him his injections its against the law... now mind you he is in the same district for 4 years now. but moving to an upper school and bam the laws are different?
then later in the conversation the lady says they have tried to get their lawyer to fix it in the contract... now my question is it in the contract or the law? because contract or not they have to follow the law.
the superintendent is completely on my side and says that someone WILL give him his shots, but everytime the school calls they say something new to errk me. the last call was "well if someone does the math, is your son able to just hold the pen with his finger on it and help push the med in?" my answer "NO what part of he is not giving himself a shot do you not understand?" for one he does it in his arms at school. he is 8 years old, newly diagnosed not even a year yet. Just learning adding, subtracting ,and fractions... has no clue how to DIVIDE carbs. and if the needle gets bent or broke or it seaps out then they can blame him when he passes out becuase he had his hand on it helping????? My 8 year old is not going to be responsible for that much, he already thinks its his fault he has diabetes.
i would like to see this law. anyone know where i can find it?
[quote user="C"]
HOWEVER (this is really exciting) someone i know was recently diagnosed with t1 and had been in the military for 10 years. he fought (took it the highest level possible in the military) and was allowed to stay on with the military, on a desk-job basis. he is the first diabetic allowed to stay in the military!
[/quote]
Hi C,
While I think it is great that your friend is able to stay in the field of his choice, he is not the first type 1 to do so. My grandfather was dx while in the Air Force, he was able to stay with a desk job as well. There was a T1, in one branch of the military that was sent to Iraq.
http://www.diabetes.org/backfromiraq.jsp
Just thought I would let you all know :)
I should have clarified "in Iowa." Sorry about that! That's a pretty cool story, too.
Sounds like alot of fear going on there at that school.
Anyway, look up The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act(IDEA) it is a federal law, so is your 504 plan. I do not believe that Michigan has revisions different then the federal basis. Be Sure to read these two pages They will give you a step by step on how to deal with your school- http://www.diabetes.org/advocacy-and-legalresources/discrimination/school/schoollaw.jsp http://www.diabetes.org/advocacy-and-legalresources/discrimination/school/504plan.jsp .
The good news is that your child will be able to give himself shots soon, that will be a relife for him, you, and the school when that day somes around. But he should still recieve help counting carbs and adjusting his dose for the next few years because it is soo tricky. Has anyone at the school recieved training on how to count carbs and adjust insulin? Because that is covered in the IDEA and the 504. Well, my advice is just read up on these two pages and stay in contact with your super intendent, in fact set up a meeting with him and the principal and your son's teacher with this info in hand. Bring enough copies for everyone. Stay calm and talk it out.