Education about diabetes and its care can sometimes make a big difference.
The CREST program, run by the city of Santa Monica, California, adds learning adventures to the lives of children who attend the program. This city-funded program provides enrichment classes, including music, art, theater and sports to children in grades K-5. Nine-year-old Ashlynn had been participating in the program since she was five, playing volleyball and participating in track and field.
The program feared liability after Ashlynn’s type 1 diabetes diagnosis.
But in April 2015, Ashlynn was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and her access to CREST activities became more limited. Ashlynn’s mother, Audrey, learned that the program would not train its staff to administer glucagon. Glucagon is sometimes necessary when a person with diabetes experiences extremely low blood glucose, also known as hypoglycemia. Without trained staff around, Ashlynn would not be fully protected during program activities, unless her mother could also be there to provide it. Audrey was told the City of Santa Monica feared a lawsuit if its staff did not administer glucagon correctly—and that was the reason for this policy.
Ashlynn loved being part of the CREST program.
Audrey, a single mother who could not always be there the entire time, worried that if the CREST staff was not able to provide glucagon when it was needed, Ashlynn could not attend. This was not acceptable. So Audrey contacted the program directors and tried to educate them about diabetes care. She also stressed that it would not endanger Ashlynn’s life if someone gave her glucagon, even if she didn’t need it.
But the program’s policy still did not change. Ashlynn was only able to attend CREST when Audrey could also be there. That meant that Ashlynn had to miss out on many activities she loved.
Audrey contacted the American Diabetes Association® for help.
She confirmed that Ashlynn had the legal right to fully participate in the program. A legal advocate at the Association gave Audrey some information and guidance. Audrey then wrote a letter to the program that outlined Ashlynn’s rights and addressed the program’s concerns about its legal responsibility.
Things turned around.
The directors of CREST program changed the policy and agreed to train their staff about type 1 diabetes, diabetes care (including glucagon administration) and the signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia. Ashlynn would be able to fully attend the program once again.
Audrey’s experience working on this issue was a positive one. She says that the program’s directors were nothing but gracious through the whole process. And the result was what she wanted for Ashlynn.
Audrey’s advice
The Association is here to help. You can fight discrimination when you understand the laws that protect people with diabetes and can educate others about diabetes care. Sometimes information and negotiation go a long way.
“Thank you to the American Diabetes Association’s legal advocate for her time, effort and expertise,” says Audrey Berry. “When you see your child triumph through the daily struggles of managing type 1 diabetes, you will go to great lengths to ensure his or her well-being. For every parent out there who feels defeated by the weight of advocating for your child, remind yourself that there are people out there who will help. When you feel like you are going through a rough journey all by yourself, stay true to yourself and true to your cause. The city of Santa Monica, the American Diabetes Association and I worked positively together to achieve the best outcome for my daughter Ashlynn. For this I am grateful.”
The American Diabetes Association leads the effort to prevent and eliminate discrimination against people with diabetes at school, at work and in other parts of daily life. If you need help, call 1-800-DIABETES or visit http://diabetes.org/gethelp.
Through our nationwide Safe at School program, the Association is dedicated to making sure that all children with diabetes are medically safe at school and have the same educational opportunities as their peers. Visit our Safe at School website for information and resources.
Give the gift of fairness — donate now to help people with diabetes facing discrimination, just like Ashlynn.
From: American Diabetes Association http://diabetesstopshere.org/2016/03/29/yrov-ashlynns-story/
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