What have you always wanted to say to your child's teacher
Wednesday, April 17, 2013 at 9:37AM Is there something about type I diabetes that you always wanted to say to your child's teacher but just couldn't? A fact or maybe a personal story? Have you ever dreamt of telling the administrator (that looked at you cross when you asked for an addition to your child's 504 plan) that you haven't slept through the night in countless years? Have you even once considered telling someone to go $%#@ themselves but instead smiled and nodded?
Tomorrow I will be giving a workshop at the Hamilton, NJ Barnes & Noble to fifty teachers about 504 Plans from the families perspective. We'll be talking about why I think that forming good relationships is so vital for not just the child, but the family, the school and the educator.
If you have something that you'd like me to pass on into the world, something that you think would help an educator to better understand our lives - I'd love to carry your message to them.
I genuinely believe that if the school could just get a glimpse into the world that we live in, they would become better partners in our children's education... and not just for children with type I diabetes.
There are so many families that would benefit from that understanding. Tomorrow I'm hoping to send a message that will reverberate beyond the few districts that will be represented. I want to leave them with a story that they will be touched and informed by, one that they will want to retell.
More information about the event is here on Barnes & Noble's website.
Reader Comments (2)
What a wonderful thing for the families and educators in your area that you are able to give them your perspective. As a teacher myself, who had two students with Type 1 years before my son was diagnosed, I was so grateful on those difficult days in the ICU for all that those children, their families and the nurse at my school, had taught me about diabetes before I needed to know it in my personal life. While we have been so fortunate where I live with incredible full-time nurses at my son's schools and administrators who fully support my son's 504 plan, I realize that it isn't that way everywhere and that we are so lucky. I think that if you can give them a glimpse of a day in your life, it will go a long way. When other parents watch us manage our son's blood sugars at sporting events or even just a day playing on the fields casually, they are always in awe of the constant need for vigilance. You do so much to educate others and as a teacher and parent, I appreciate and applaud all your energy and effort! Looking forward to reading your book.
It's not exactly what you're asking, but I'd like the teachers to know that the kids will remember you and the things you have done for them and their diabetes. In fact, this post inspired me to write a blog post of my own on that very topic, which will be published tomorrow (4/18).