Tamara Gamble
04-06-2007, 09:38 AM
For those of you who know me I have alot to tell you about our 504 experience. It's a long drawn out saga but I will try to keep it as brief as possible. Warning! It won't be brief.
Last July we started our 504 process. Everything was working out better than expected, more than I could ask for but then things went south, seriously south. To the point that the teachers were refusing any treatment for Tyler.
It has become clear to me as to why so many parents give up on the process but has become a valuable teaching tool as well.
Tyler is the first child to go to his junior high with type 1 diabetes. Knowing that the task would be voluminous I supplied the school with everything they needed to implement all that they would need to not just for Tyler but for those who followed. I offered my services because as with the rest of you everything that needs to be done has become second nature so for us it was all easy and we knew what needed to be done.
It started with me declining the proposed 504 for Tyler which basically stated he could take care of himself but did not impose any responsibility on the schools part. Not what a 504 is designed for. I issued a proposed 504 for Tyler.
Then the nurse from our doctors office did some training. She was so concerned with what the association of nurses wanted (a nurse in every school, as well as a back up) that she made the school believe that the task was to much for them. Forgetting that we don't have a nurse, our school can't afford a nurse, there is a shortage of nurses accross this country and there was a little boy who needed assistance regardless of her stance. So she procedded to pick apart the 504 that I had proposed using the DREDF guidlines and gave reasons as to why even classroom testing was inappropriate. In response to this I had our doctor, her boss sign a letter supporting the proposed 504, stating that by virtue of Ty's diagnosis that he qualified for a 504 etc. I also provided the OCR document on hidden disabilities.
The school then proceded to try to have our CDE review Ty's 504 and sign off on what she felt was neccesary and what she felt was not. Thankfully she stated to them that her sole purpose was to ensure Ty's safety and she would be happy to assist with training but would not be willing to do as they asked as Tyler and his mother would know exactly what he needed and that they should consult us.
I became a parent advocate for the ADA. They procedded to call the ADA to try to have them dismantle the proposed 504. This really ticked me off.
So basically they took every avenue that I had given them to help and tried to use it against us. It's much worse but I will spare you the details.
By November I issued a letter in response to the fact that is was November and the 504 plan was not completed providing federal documentation and always stating that we look forward to working in partnership with you etc. giving them next steps to follow and always signing respectfully, Tamara Gamble. They issued the letter to the teachers and really started to bad mouth us. The teachers then refused to treat Tyler at all.
Several letters were sent and we were going to file with the OCR. We had gone through all of the proper channels and followed appropriate protocol. I made one last ditch effort in January after our superintendant issued an executive directive for all teachers to treat Tyler with 4 oz. or juice whether he was high or low and then call 911. What a moron.
I pulled the board of directors in and laid it on the line. So this is where we are today.
In response to the situation with Tyler Gamble all schools in our district will have two health aides per school available for all students with current health issues. Ours being diabetes, asthma, hemophilia and seizures. All school employees will be trained in these areas before the start of each school year. The health aides will be trained quarterly to keep them up to par. Policies and procedures have been written in regards to all of these diseases. I participated in the diabetic portion. This will all be in place by next fall before the start of the school year with the exception of Tyler's school which is in effect now. Our county will be implementing policy and procedure in regards to diabetes. It's a start.
What it took for us to get there. Me being yelled at by grown men, having water bottles thrown past me into the garbage during our meetings, constant bullying by the school staff toward me. Meetings that would include their attornies, social workers, teachers, superintendants, principles from all schools and me. Tyler getting less than kind treatment at times, this is better now. A great deal of patience on my part, learning to stay steady even when they were behaving this way. Learning to be kind regardless of what they were saying and doing but not forgetting why I was there so holding fast to what I knew needed to happen for Tyler's sake. Keeping Tyler out of the know and speaking with him about ignorance and fear if he felt a little less than loved at school.
Realizing one day that I didn't need to be afraid. After all it took a whole county of people to try to figure out what I already knew so they weren't so scary after all, they were scared of me, of this disease, and we had not done a thing to warrent this except for to educate ourselves enough to get what our son needed. Education, education, education this was our only defense. It worked for both sides.
Prayer, and the realization that God truely is on our side. Remembering that these kids have been kissed on the forehead by God otherwise they wouldn't be here and that God trusted us enough as parents that he allowed us to participate in ensuring their well being in every aspect. What a gift to know this. This is what I held onto during this very trying time.
As difficult as this disease is, I try to bare in mind that there are very few parents who can combat this type of ignorance and keep their kids and themselves in check. It takes a special person to raise a child with a special need. Congratulate yourselves for all that you do and know that God has entrusted you with his most precious gifts.
God Bless! I hope our story inspires you to never give up! It wasn't easy but we are finally there and you know what, the majority of school personal has changed their attitude toward all of us and this disease.
If you are currently experiencing difficulty within your childs school or day care please call 1-800-diabetes and ask for the school discrimination package. It's free and contains all that you need to know to ensure your childs safety and well being.
Tami
Last July we started our 504 process. Everything was working out better than expected, more than I could ask for but then things went south, seriously south. To the point that the teachers were refusing any treatment for Tyler.
It has become clear to me as to why so many parents give up on the process but has become a valuable teaching tool as well.
Tyler is the first child to go to his junior high with type 1 diabetes. Knowing that the task would be voluminous I supplied the school with everything they needed to implement all that they would need to not just for Tyler but for those who followed. I offered my services because as with the rest of you everything that needs to be done has become second nature so for us it was all easy and we knew what needed to be done.
It started with me declining the proposed 504 for Tyler which basically stated he could take care of himself but did not impose any responsibility on the schools part. Not what a 504 is designed for. I issued a proposed 504 for Tyler.
Then the nurse from our doctors office did some training. She was so concerned with what the association of nurses wanted (a nurse in every school, as well as a back up) that she made the school believe that the task was to much for them. Forgetting that we don't have a nurse, our school can't afford a nurse, there is a shortage of nurses accross this country and there was a little boy who needed assistance regardless of her stance. So she procedded to pick apart the 504 that I had proposed using the DREDF guidlines and gave reasons as to why even classroom testing was inappropriate. In response to this I had our doctor, her boss sign a letter supporting the proposed 504, stating that by virtue of Ty's diagnosis that he qualified for a 504 etc. I also provided the OCR document on hidden disabilities.
The school then proceded to try to have our CDE review Ty's 504 and sign off on what she felt was neccesary and what she felt was not. Thankfully she stated to them that her sole purpose was to ensure Ty's safety and she would be happy to assist with training but would not be willing to do as they asked as Tyler and his mother would know exactly what he needed and that they should consult us.
I became a parent advocate for the ADA. They procedded to call the ADA to try to have them dismantle the proposed 504. This really ticked me off.
So basically they took every avenue that I had given them to help and tried to use it against us. It's much worse but I will spare you the details.
By November I issued a letter in response to the fact that is was November and the 504 plan was not completed providing federal documentation and always stating that we look forward to working in partnership with you etc. giving them next steps to follow and always signing respectfully, Tamara Gamble. They issued the letter to the teachers and really started to bad mouth us. The teachers then refused to treat Tyler at all.
Several letters were sent and we were going to file with the OCR. We had gone through all of the proper channels and followed appropriate protocol. I made one last ditch effort in January after our superintendant issued an executive directive for all teachers to treat Tyler with 4 oz. or juice whether he was high or low and then call 911. What a moron.
I pulled the board of directors in and laid it on the line. So this is where we are today.
In response to the situation with Tyler Gamble all schools in our district will have two health aides per school available for all students with current health issues. Ours being diabetes, asthma, hemophilia and seizures. All school employees will be trained in these areas before the start of each school year. The health aides will be trained quarterly to keep them up to par. Policies and procedures have been written in regards to all of these diseases. I participated in the diabetic portion. This will all be in place by next fall before the start of the school year with the exception of Tyler's school which is in effect now. Our county will be implementing policy and procedure in regards to diabetes. It's a start.
What it took for us to get there. Me being yelled at by grown men, having water bottles thrown past me into the garbage during our meetings, constant bullying by the school staff toward me. Meetings that would include their attornies, social workers, teachers, superintendants, principles from all schools and me. Tyler getting less than kind treatment at times, this is better now. A great deal of patience on my part, learning to stay steady even when they were behaving this way. Learning to be kind regardless of what they were saying and doing but not forgetting why I was there so holding fast to what I knew needed to happen for Tyler's sake. Keeping Tyler out of the know and speaking with him about ignorance and fear if he felt a little less than loved at school.
Realizing one day that I didn't need to be afraid. After all it took a whole county of people to try to figure out what I already knew so they weren't so scary after all, they were scared of me, of this disease, and we had not done a thing to warrent this except for to educate ourselves enough to get what our son needed. Education, education, education this was our only defense. It worked for both sides.
Prayer, and the realization that God truely is on our side. Remembering that these kids have been kissed on the forehead by God otherwise they wouldn't be here and that God trusted us enough as parents that he allowed us to participate in ensuring their well being in every aspect. What a gift to know this. This is what I held onto during this very trying time.
As difficult as this disease is, I try to bare in mind that there are very few parents who can combat this type of ignorance and keep their kids and themselves in check. It takes a special person to raise a child with a special need. Congratulate yourselves for all that you do and know that God has entrusted you with his most precious gifts.
God Bless! I hope our story inspires you to never give up! It wasn't easy but we are finally there and you know what, the majority of school personal has changed their attitude toward all of us and this disease.
If you are currently experiencing difficulty within your childs school or day care please call 1-800-diabetes and ask for the school discrimination package. It's free and contains all that you need to know to ensure your childs safety and well being.
Tami