Parent Designated Adult for glucagon

[Ella's mom]

We live in Washington State and learned that a Parent Designated Adult (PDA) will need to be in place if Ella were ever to need glucagon while at school. The school nurse is able to give glucagon but she is there only part time. So that leaves us as parents to search out staff of the school to sign off as our PDA.

The plus side is that we have never had to use glucagon before but not having someone who is able to give it to Ella if need be is not that comforting. I will begin with asking the school secretaries. The thing is that they have the right to say no and then that will leave me to search out other staff. I guess the fear of being told no is setting into place:o

It would be great to hear from other families who have gone through finding PDA's!

(so wishing that PDA still stood for public display of affection:p!!)

[hawkeyegirl]

My child isn't school age yet, but what I would try to do is to find someone who either has experience with type 1 or severe allergies (i.e., experience with an epipen). My biggest fear is that I'd get someone to agree to do it, and then when the time came, they'd look at that big honkin' needle and panic. It's not exactly the same, but if you could find someone who has given an injection before for any reason, I'd just trust them to be able to handle it a bit better.

[Ella's mom]

My child isn't school age yet, but what I would try to do is to find someone who either has experience with type 1 or severe allergies (i.e., experience with an epipen). My biggest fear is that I'd get someone to agree to do it, and then when the time came, they'd look at that big honkin' needle and panic. It's not exactly the same, but if you could find someone who has given an injection before for any reason, I'd just trust them to be able to handle it a bit better.

Thank-you for your suggestion!!

[Abby-Dabby-Doo]

I got lucky. When Abby was dxd in kindergarden, her teacher's best friend in high school was a diabetic, and had given the glucagon shot to her best friend. So I designated Abby's teacher. I also trained the school secretary, and nurse. Each year my first choice is Abby's teacher, she/he has more of a chance of being RIGHT THERE more than anyone. IMO

[Shannon's Mom]

When DD first started in a school where there was no nurse, we had ADA go in and do training. It did not occur to me at the time to designate someone to use the glucagon because we had never had to use it (still have not.) The year later the director addressed this in a staff meeting and asked for volunteers to learn and use if necessary. Three teachers volunteered. I felt comfortable because I knew them at that point and knew they had volunteered because they wanted to help and cared. I took in the expired glucagon kits I had and oranges. I demonstrated and then they each got their own to put together in inject into the orange. I stressed to them that even if I had to use it, I would probably have to pull out the picture diagram in the case to review as we had never done it. I told them it was ok to take the 20-30 seconds to review before using. They all felt comfortable, so I felt comfortable. I really did not want someone who did not want to do it forced into it. Maybe you could get the principal to address it in a staff meeting. Then no one would feel put on the spot by you asking?

[Amy C.]

I did the same as Shannon's Mom, I asked the principal for 3 volunteers and it was done without a problem.

[selketine]

I agree that the principal or school nurse might be able to round up volunteers is they are willing. Some good candidates are those who are trained to do the epi-pens - I'm guessing someone there is a volunteer for that.

I'd want 2-3 people trained in case someone is out - best if they are in different areas of the school/different jobs/different grades, etc. Even if all the teachers on her grade level were trained I know at our school we have days where all those teachers (from one grade level) are absent for special meetings or whatever.

[RosemaryCinNJ]

I have had to use Glucagon twice when Amanda was first diagnosed. DO NOT USE that big needle the Glucagon comes with. Draw it into a smaller syringe. (You dont have to use that big needle) I would never use that harpoon it comes with on a child!! It is huge!!!!

[speakup4kids]

I agree with the other posters that it is always a good idea to have someone with a bit of a background trained in glucagon I would like to take it a step further. This is just my opinion so take it for what it's worth but I do some advocacy work in CA and the one thing I tell parents is to overtrain. If the school is agreeable, it really is best to have the people who will be in closest contact with your child all day trained. (grade level teachers, noon duties, office staff) Last year I suggested that we open up the training to the school and we had over 25 people trained in glucagon administration. I then held another class that was more in depth and went over basics of diabetes care. While 25 is a lot, I always put on my 504's that 5 people on site will be trained. You never know when people will be absent, busy, or just not in the right place at the right time. When our children's lives are at stake it is better to be safe than sorry.