What would you do?

[MissElizabeth]

I just found out that my minion has been segregated to the nurses office to eat his meals because he was diabetic, this left my child to eat all by himself as office staff ate in teachers lounge. He was also told that he had to keep his diabetic kit in the office because it has a needle (epi-pens are allowed to be carried at all times by a student). My minion doesn't tell me things in case I get upset and yell at the idiot person who needs yelling at. I was also under the impression that it was all resolved last year. Minion has a new principal this year apparently.

The school board has a procedure in place for children with diabetes.

Rights of a Student with Diabetes:
• Being able to use the washroom and go out for drinks as needed.
• Eat in the classroom with the other children. *
• Have their blood sugar tested in their classroom if needed (including having meters and sharps containers available and safely stored).
• The student has the right to have available treatment for lows (such as juice, dex tablets, jelly beans, skittles, etc.) in the classroom.
• The school must provide a safe place for the student to perform diabetic care if not comfortable in the classroom.
• The child has the right to advise adults in the school that they are not feeling well and to request assistance of responsible adults in the school.

I confronted the principal, she didn't even know about this procedure let alone that my child was diabetic, gotta love new principals. After our discussion he is now eating with his class mates and is allowed to carry his diabetic kit with him at all times, but the damage has been done both emotionally and mentally. I found out about all this when my child told me that he wishes he could die because he was tired of being diabetic and treated differently at school. He is starting counseling this week.

So the question would be is it a civil case or a human rights tribunal case? The lawyers I contacted can't agree on which it would be but are very happy to tell me what their retainer fee is and how happy they would be for me to hire them.

I want the school board to actually live up to and follow their own procedures so no other student has to go through this.

 

[Frankfooter]

A lawsuit?
Really?

Sounds like the new principal has been educated, hopefully they won't ever make that mistake again.
But a lawsuit?

 

[MissElizabeth]

A lawsuit?
Really?

Sounds like the new principal has been educated, hopefully they won't ever make that mistake again.
But a lawsuit?

Not a monetary lawsuit as I don't want money, I want accountability. Not all lawsuits or human rights suits need to end in a monetary settlement.

I want the school board to know that they have to follow their own procedures and if they don't then they have to suffer consequences, just as my minion has had to suffer with their idiocy and ignorance. As this is the third time that it has happened at the same school they apparently didn't learn the first time nor the second. I want them held accountable for what they have done. The school board is meant to show and teach their employees the procedures and policies that they themselves created. It isn't my job to keep showing them. I already know I can charge the Principal criminally if I so choose, but that won't change the issues if the school board doesn't train their employees properly. Ignorance of the law, school procedures or policies isn't an acceptable excuse at least in my eyes.

 

[escapefromstress]

Good for you for intervening. Focus on taking care of your son.

You could talk to your son about reporting this to the media. It might help him feel like he's taking back his power by speaking up so it doesn't happen to others.

I don't know how old he is, but maybe his teacher would let him or someone else talk about what it's like to cope with diabetes, to his class or the whole school.

 

[Mr Bret]

Good for you for intervening. Focus on taking care of your son.

You could talk to your son about reporting this to the media. It might help him feel like he's taking back his power by speaking up so it doesn't happen to others.

I don't know how old he is, but maybe his teacher would let him or someone else talk about what it's like to cope with diabetes, to his class or the whole school.

I like this approach. It's an opportunity to educate those around your son, that way he'll have a whole group able to look out for him and to ensure his rights are respected by the school.
And I think escapefromstress is right that it could help empower him and build his confidence. Rather than seeing himself as a (for lack of a better term) bad kind of special, he could now be an educator and leader, so he could be a good kind of special. He'd be his school's Champion for Diabetics.

The staff, at all levels will get the message and if a new principal or teacher or anyone comes along, I'm sure they'll know about your son and the policy pretty quickly.

Not sure a lawsuit is the way to go.

 

[escapefromstress]

I like this approach. It's an opportunity to educate those around your son, that way he'll have a whole group able to look out for him and to ensure his rights are respected by the school.
And I think escapefromstress is right that it could help empower him and build his confidence. Rather than seeing himself as a (for lack of a better term) bad kind of special, he could now be an educator and leader, so he could be a good kind of special. He'd be his school's Champion for Diabetics.

The staff, at all levels will get the message and if a new principal or teacher or anyone comes along, I'm sure they'll know about your son and the policy pretty quickly.

Not sure a lawsuit is the way to go.

Your post brought tears to my eyes. You nailed it.

As a parent of a child that's been harmed, it's natural for Elizabeth's mama bear instincts to come out, and I understand her rage.

My son was labeled a disruptive bully in grade one and suffered all kinds of injustices at school. He was a gentle soul in a bigger than average body for boys his age, with a genius IQ who was just bored in class.

Now he's a motivational speaker who speaks to audiences of thousands, because he got help and counseling when he was still in grade school, and learned he could be a role model and eventually help others.

 

[Brill]

It depends on your son, he may cringe at the idea of more attention for being different from others or he may welcome the principal getting slapped in public.

I think educating him is enough.

 

[TeasePlease]

I like this approach. It's an opportunity to educate those around your son, that way he'll have a whole group able to look out for him and to ensure his rights are respected by the school.
And I think escapefromstress is right that it could help empower him and build his confidence. Rather than seeing himself as a (for lack of a better term) bad kind of special, he could now be an educator and leader, so he could be a good kind of special. He'd be his school's Champion for Diabetics.

The staff, at all levels will get the message and if a new principal or teacher or anyone comes along, I'm sure they'll know about your son and the policy pretty quickly.

Not sure a lawsuit is the way to go.

This.

I was bullied as a kid, but that was a different time. I'm glad to see that society is more enlightened now, but I still wouldn't want my kids to think that they world owes them anything. It's more important to me that they grow up to be self-assured and self-reliant. And, to learn that it's a lotta fun to work hard and succeed

To Miss Elizabeth, it sounds like you're a great mom and your minion has all the love he needs. He's lucky to have a great champion

 

[dirkd101]

As a fellow parent, bravo for speaking out and righting a wrong that happened. This is our job as parents.

I feel for your "minion", as they don't feel like they fit in because of their illness and to seek outside help is a good thing. If they hear it enough, that they aren't much different from other kids, then they quickly learn that it is more of an inconvenience, rather than an illness. Let them know that there are athletes that have diabetes and have performed at the highest of levels.

Imo, this is neither a civil, nor a human rights tribunal case. While there were some errors on the part of the school, you've already dealt with the matter to a successful conclusion. There's not point in making a case out of this, costing you a lot of money in the process, when on your own in initiative, you can make sure this doesn't happen again or to any other student. There's an obvious need for education within the school system, with regards to things like diabetes, but not the need for you to lose money in bringing this to court.

 

[SQUAD51]

Maximum impact will be gained from an audience that inckudes the superintendent. Perhaps even a trustee, but they tend to be career municipal councillors-in-training.
Attend the meeting quoting chapter and verse of the relevant statutes, guidelines, protocols and rules.
Do not ask rhetorical questions 'where did you get the idea to.......'. No one will respond and you likely don't expect them to. Instead, ensure you have a list of pointed questions, preferably closed questions (answer is yes or no) and build the case for embarrassment of their idiocy within the group present. Ask for accountability after the fact in both school and board actions.
The teaching mafia is a closed profession where accountability occurs after a public disaster or police arrest.
Engage!

 

[bazokajoe]

You righted a wrong.Now chill out and have a talk with your kid.

 

[oakvilleguy]

There's always the power or social media as well as main stream media to get your cause noticed and publicized so no other child is placed in a similar situation.

 

[elwoodinontario]

I'm thinking, that in most cases, a lawsuit should be the last, worst-case scenario, option. I doubt that this is case where the schools administration is refusing to follow the policy. It is more likely that this a case where the principal is simply ignorant to the policy. Since he wasn't aware of Minions diabetes, I can't see this being malicious. You obviously solved the problem by contacting the principal, so I'd let it go there. At the same time, be prepared for this situation to arise from time to time, as it's impossible for everyone to know everything at every moment.
Minion, while getting the short end of the stick having to be this responsible at such a young age, will have a head-start on lots of kids when it comes to accepting others and embracing diversities that will be the cornerstone to success in the future.

*hugs*

 

[frankcastle]

I just found out that my minion has been segregated to the nurses office to eat his meals because he was diabetic, this left my child to eat all by himself as office staff ate in teachers lounge. He was also told that he had to keep his diabetic kit in the office because it has a needle (epi-pens are allowed to be carried at all times by a student). My minion doesn't tell me things in case I get upset and yell at the idiot person who needs yelling at. I was also under the impression that it was all resolved last year. Minion has a new principal this year apparently.

The school board has a procedure in place for children with diabetes.

Rights of a Student with Diabetes:
• Being able to use the washroom and go out for drinks as needed.
• Eat in the classroom with the other children. *
• Have their blood sugar tested in their classroom if needed (including having meters and sharps containers available and safely stored).
• The student has the right to have available treatment for lows (such as juice, dex tablets, jelly beans, skittles, etc.) in the classroom.
• The school must provide a safe place for the student to perform diabetic care if not comfortable in the classroom.
• The child has the right to advise adults in the school that they are not feeling well and to request assistance of responsible adults in the school.

I confronted the principal, she didn't even know about this procedure let alone that my child was diabetic, gotta love new principals. After our discussion he is now eating with his class mates and is allowed to carry his diabetic kit with him at all times, but the damage has been done both emotionally and mentally. I found out about all this when my child told me that he wishes he could die because he was tired of being diabetic and treated differently at school. He is starting counseling this week.

So the question would be is it a civil case or a human rights tribunal case? The lawyers I contacted can't agree on which it would be but are very happy to tell me what their retainer fee is and how happy they would be for me to hire them.

I want the school board to actually live up to and follow their own procedures so no other student has to go through this.

Your best option is to start a trail of emails with the superintendents and trustees. Go over the principals head.

The reason to use email is that you then can show that you sent emails and thus create a paper trail.

Start with firm and intelligent emails and keep in mind because you are putting things in print you need to be careful with what you say as well.

 

[frankcastle]

What I am unclear about is why does your kid have to eat by themselves?

Many kids have allergies which are not the same thing but have their pens stored in the office as well.

 

[frankcastle]

Sorry I missed the last part where the issue had been resolved. As far as where he eats and what he carries.

As for emotional damage not sure what you can do about that. However, perhaps that is a discussion you can have with the superintendent or trustee.

But it sounds like the principal reacted reasonably so maybe give them the chance to correct this matter. Maybe they can connect your son to the board's counsellors. At least you are going to get free service that way.

 

[oakvilleguy]

You and your child is not alone in your struggles - http://www.diabetes.ca/newsroom/search-news/provinces-falling-behind-for-children-with-diabete