http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/ For parents of kids with type 1 who are in college or Young Adults en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 22:19:38 GMT vBulletin 60 http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/images/misc/rss.jpg http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/ http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=47236&goto=newpost Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:31:13 GMT The school is not being much help filling out the SAT accomodation paperwork so I would like to hear how everyone has completed it to get the... The school is not being much help filling out the SAT accomodation paperwork so I would like to hear how everyone has completed it to get the necessary accomodations. I printed the sample form from the web site and it looks like I need to request to accomodations under #6:

• Permission for medication/food/drinks during test
• Other (specify: )

I'm assuming under "Other" I should enter something like "Breaks as needed to maintain appropriate Blood Glugose level."

Does this look like the way to go? Any help would be appreciated! ]]> Parents of College Kids and Young Adults with Type 1 NicksMother http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=47236 http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=47101&goto=newpost Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:38:14 GMT Hi there! My name is Megan Clegg. I'm a student at the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) in Rochester, NY, a senior majoring in graphic design. I'm also a type 1 diabetic since 2003.

I've recently begun working on a project related to Type One diabetes and am wondering if you could take a moment to please review it and give me feedback.

The project explained:
When I first received the project, I knew that I wanted to do something that targeted other Type One diabetics. I thought about my own experience as a diabetic, particularly right after I was first diagnosed, and tried to figure out what was missing that could have made my life easier. I decided to design and produce a diabetes kit to be given to newly diagnosed type ones and (since most type one's are underage) their parents upon their discharge from the hospital following their diagnosis.

Drawing on my own experience, I know how scary it is for both a diabetic and their family to transition from the hospital back to life. At first, they're confronted with this new, incredibly complex disease that they may know nothing about, but they're in a medical setting with people who know how to care for them so it's ok. But they can't be in a hospital forever. They get some time with a diabetes educator- an hour, maybe two- during which they and their parents attempt to learn everything about diabetes. It's so overwhelming to be expected to know everything in such a short time, especially for parents of really young children as they must completely shoulder the responsibility of managing their child's treatment. And then in a day or two, they are discharged and sent home to figure things out on their own. They're given some literature and diabetes supplies to help them out but everything is in different packets and boxes and books. Everything is just so scattered. Not everyone has the time or ability to sort through it all.

My idea is to put everything together for them, in one case, with labels and instructions on what everything is. Of course there are many cases out there already, but when I searched, I could not find any cases that came pre-assembled with all supplies in it already and instructions on what those supplies are. My hope, with this kit, is that I can make things less overwhelming for the newly diagnosed diabetic and their family by giving them a product that acts almost like a guidebook, to help them through those first few confusing days. I want to help them to feel secure, confident in themselves, and in control, to believe that they've got this and they can figure out what they are doing when it comes to diabetes. Once they have got the hang of their disease, I then hope that they will continue using the kit into the future to hold all their supplies. For younger diabetics, the educational aspect of the case could still be useful to any extended family, teachers, or neighbors who may be looking after the diabetic.

The "Joey":
The kit can be seen here: http://meganegginclegg.blogspot.com/...1/joey_16.html
Hopefully the photographs and descriptions can give you an accurate idea of everything.

The Questions:
If you could review the photographs above and then answer these questions for me, I would extremely appreciate it. The more feedback I get on this, the better I can make this kit so it can be used for any Type One under any situation.

Your personal experience:
1) What is your association with Type One diabetes?
2) Were you/your child diagnosed in a hospital or had to stay in a hospital after being diagnosed?
3) What were some emotions you experienced when first confronted with diabetes?
4) How were you educated on diabetes? By a diabetes educator? Through a class? On your own?
b) Was that education enough?
5) In the first week or two of your/your child?s diagnosis, how well do you feel like you understood diabetes?
b) If you did not feel like you understood diabetes that well, what would
have helped you understand it better? Would a kit such as the Joey help?
c) Do you feel that if you knew more or had a better grasp on what
diabetes was, you would feel more secure/safe/confident? Why or
why not?

The kit:
1) Would you use this kit?
2) Do you feel like this kit is useful? Do you think there is a need for a kit like this?
3) Is there anything in this kit that does not need to be there? Anything not included that should be included?
4) How do you feel about the size?
5) How do you feel about the name?
6) Do you think the labeling system is helpful? Do the symbols make sense?
7) Do you think the Instructional Poster is helpful? Does it have enough information? Is it easy to read and understand?
8) Do you think the high-low care card is useful? Does it have enough information? Is it easy to understand?
9) Do you think this is appropriate for children? Would older adolescents or adults also use this for themselves?
10) Do you think the kit if versatile enough to be used over the years?
11) Any other thoughts?


Thank you again for any help you can offer! I know those are a lot of questions but I want this kit to be as effective as possible. I'm very excited about this project and if it is successful, I would love to turn this into an actual product that could be donated to hospitals. Being able to help other Type One diabetics would be amazing.

(This has been crossposted to other forums on this board as well) ]]> Parents of College Kids and Young Adults with Type 1 Megan_Clegg http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=47101 http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=46586&goto=newpost Thu, 05 Nov 2009 18:57:46 GMT http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704328104574515540338155728.html#articleTabs%3Darticle http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000...Tabs%3Darticle ]]> Parents of College Kids and Young Adults with Type 1 maryellen816 http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=46586 http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=46579&goto=newpost Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:11:00 GMT Is there anyone from NY here?
Re: BILL # A9038, which allows an unmarried child to remain on parent's insurance up to age 29 if the child is a resident of NY. (took effect on September 1, 2009)

I have learned about it yesterday and got very excited, but after I read everything, I realized that it's nothing new - it's COBRA. So, if I want my son to remain covered through my employer, the premiums which I am currently paying for the family, will be recalculated for the next year and increased by the new amount which I will have to pay separately for him. I doubt it will be affordable.

Read everything below and let me know what you think about it. "The employer is NOT paying for the coverage provided to the dependent of the employee. This bill expands access to health insurance through a COBRA-like benefit for young adults by requiring commercial insurers, non-profit corporations and HMOs to offer an option to continue coverage for unmarried young adults through age 29
------
This bill also extends a make available option to individuals, employers and other group health insurance consumers to permit them to buy family coverage which includes coverage for dependents through age 29 subject to certain criteria.

http://assembly.state.ny.us/leg/?bn=09038

A09038 Memo:
BILL NUMBER:A9038

TITLE OF BILL: An act to amend the insurance law, in relation to the
provision of health insurance coverage to the unmarried child of an
insured through the age of twenty-nine years

PURPOSE:

This bill expands access to health insurance by allowing unmarried children through age 29, regardless of financial dependence, to be covered under a parent's group health insurance policy.

SUMMARY OF PROVISIONS:

Section 1 of the bill amends Insurance Law S 3216 to require commercial insurers to make available an option for consumers purchasing individual health insurance to cover unmarried dependents through age 29 without regard to financial dependence. The young adults must not be eligible for coverage under employer sponsored insurance and they must live, work or reside in New York State or in the service area of the insurer. The option must be extended at policy inception and at the first anniversary date following the effective date of the provisions.
Section 2 amends Insurance Law S 3221 to require commercial insurers
that provide group health insurance coverage to extend an option to
continue coverage to unmarried children who have "aged off" of their
parents' group health insurance policies. The "dependent children" may
continue to be covered under their parents' group policy through age 29
as long as they are not eligible for employer sponsored health insurance coverage and are not covered by Medicare. Such children are not required to be financially dependent on their parents to elect this benefit.
Section 2 of the bill also provides that employers shall not be required to pay the premiums for dependent children electing this continuation option. This section of the bill also allows an employee, group member or dependent child to elect to purchase group health insurance coverage: 1) within 60 days following the date coverage would otherwise terminate due to age, under the terms of the parent's policy; (2) within 60 days after meeting the definition of "dependent child;" or (3) during an annual 30-day open enrollment period. Dependent children whose coverage terminated prior to the effective date of the bill would have a period of 12 months from the effective date to elect coverage.
Section 2 of the bill additionally requires an insurer to submit reports as the Superintendent of Insurance ("Superintendent") may request, in a form and manner to be prescribed by the Superintendent.
Section 3 of the bill amends Insurance Law S 4235 to require commercial insurers to make available an option for consumers of group health insurance to cover unmarried dependents through age 29 without regard to financial dependence. The option must be extended at policy inception and annually upon the policy's anniversary date.
Section 4 of the bill amends Insurance Law S 4304 to require not-for-
profit corporations and health maintenance organizations ("HMOs") to
extend the same make available option for consumers of group health
insurance to cover dependents through age 29 without regard to financial dependence as is extended by section 1 for commercial insurers.
Sections 5 and 6 of the bill amend Insurance Law S 4304 to require not-for-profit corporations and HMOs that offer individual and group remittance contracts to include coverage options for unmarried dependent children through age 29 under the same terms and conditions as commercial insurers.
Section 7 of the bill amends Insurance Law S 4305 to require not-for-
profit corporations and HMOs that offer group contracts to include a
continuation option for unmarried dependent children through age 29,
also under the same terms and conditions as commercial insurers.
Section 8 of the bill provides that the bill take effect on September 1, 2009 and apply to contracts issued, renewed, modified, altered or
amended on or after that date.
EXISTING LAW:

Current law pertaining to group contracts does not delineate a minimum
age to which an insurer must extend dependent coverage in a family
contract.

With regard to group remittance contracts, Insurance Law S 4304(d)(1)
limits coverage to children under the age of 25, at the option of the
insurer. If the child is incapable of self-sustaining employment due to
disability, the age limitations do not apply and the child would be
eligible to remain covered under the contract.

LEGISLATIVE HISTORY:
This is a new bill.
STATEMENT OF SUPPORT:
Uninsured young adults between the age of 19 through 29 represent 31 percent of New York State's total uninsured population. These individuals -- sometimes referred to as "young invincibles" -- often lose their health coverage at the age of 19, or upon graduation from high school or college. Young adults are often employed in entry-level jobs and may work for employers that do not provide (or contribute to the cost of) health insurance. As such, young adults are often unable to afford individual direct payment insurance and frequently choose to go uninsured.

This bill expands access to health insurance through a COBRA-like benefit for young adults by requiring commercial insurers, non-profit corporations and HMOs to offer an option to continue coverage for unmarried young adults through age 29, regardless of financial dependence, under a parent's group health insurance policy. The bill would not require employers to contribute to the cost of coverage.

This bill also extends a make available option to individuals, employers and other group health insurance consumers to permit them to buy family coverage which includes coverage for dependents through age 29 subject to certain criteria. Insurers must extend the option to purchase at policy inception and, for group policies, upon each anniversary date. BUDGET IMPLICATIONS: This bill will not have a fiscal impact to the State. EFFECTIVE DATE: This bill takes effect September 1, 2009 and will apply to contracts issued, renewed, modified, altered and amended on or after such date. ]]> Parents of College Kids and Young Adults with Type 1 Lana http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=46579 http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=46565&goto=newpost Thu, 05 Nov 2009 04:11:04 GMT http://hodes.house.gov/PRArticle.aspx?NewsID=1773

Michelle's Law Becomes Federal Law Today
October 9, 2009

Concord, NH---

Congressman Paul Hodes appeared with AnnMarie Morse and the Plymouth State University President Sara Jayne Steen to honor Michelle?s Law taking effect as a federal law today. Michelle?s Law, named after the late Michelle Morse, allows college students to take up to a one year medical leave without losing their health insurance. The New Hampshire-based law passed Congress last year and was signed by President Bush. It will officially take effect today, October 9, 2009.

Michelle's Law is inspired by the life and memory of Michelle Morse. Michelle was a full time college student at Plymouth State University when she was diagnosed with colon cancer. Her doctors advised her to take a medical leave while undergoing chemotherapy, but she could not because she would lose her family's health insurance when she needed it most. Michelle passed away after graduating from Plymouth State University with honors.

"Today no family will ever have to face what the Morse?s did," Congressman Paul Hodes said. "Because of the courage and heroic effort of AnnMarie Morse, college students will never lose their health insurance when they need it the most. Today, Michelle?s Law becomes a federal law and marks a tremendous achievement and extraordinary way to remember the remarkable life of Michelle Morse."


"No other family will have to walk in our shoes and fight to keep the coverage they pay for to keep their seriously ill or injured college student on their policy," AnnMarie Morse said. "We were fortunate that Michelle?s Law became a state and federal law in 4 years. I am pleased that no other family or college-student will have to make the choice Michelle had to make, choosing between her health insurance or her education."


Michelle?s Law was supported by: American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network (ACSCAN), American College Health Association, American Diabetes Association, America?s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP), American Heart/Stroke Association, American Hospital Association, American Medical Student Association, American Nurses Association, Colorectal Cancer Coalition, Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, National Association of Graduate Professional Students, National Association of Social Workers, National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA), National Education Association (NEA), National Health Council, National Kidney Foundation, National Patient Advocate Foundation.

-------------------
The Federal Law (H.R. 2851) (#110-381)
1. In General. In the case of a qualifying dependent child, a group health plan (whether insured or self‐funded) may not terminate health care coverage for that child as a result of the child taking a medically necessary leave of absence from school (or a change of school enrollment otherwise resulting in ineligibility for health coverage under the health plan), before the
earlier of one year from the date leave began or the date the child would otherwise lose coverage under the plan for other reasons (e.g. limiting age).
2. Qualifying Dependent Child. To qualify for this benefit the dependent child must be qualified under the health for coverage on the basis that he/she is a student at a postsecondary institution as defined under federal law, before the first day of the medical leave.
3. Physician Certification. For the student to qualify for this extension, the plan must receive written certification from his/her treating physician stating that the student is suffering from a serious illness or injury and that the leave of absence (or change in enrollment) is medically necessary. The change in enrollment, if applicable, must result in the loss of eligibility under the health plan definition of Student Coverage for the law to apply (e.g. fulltime
to part‐time status).
4. The Benefit. The coverage provided during the period must be the same coverage he/she would have had had the leave of absence not occurred. If the benefits under the plan change during the extension, the new benefits would be available to the student.
5. Notice Requirement. The federal law requires health plans to provide notice of the availability of this extended coverage along with any notice it sends to participants seeking certification of student status as a part of its eligibility process. The notice must be in language easily understood by the average plan participant.
6. Applicability. Since the new law modifies the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (adding Section 714), as well as the Public Health Service Act and the Internal Revenue Code, the law applies to all private employer plans whether insured or self‐funded as well as to plans sponsored by public agencies (other than federal agencies). ]]> Parents of College Kids and Young Adults with Type 1 Lana http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=46565 http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=46336&goto=newpost Sat, 31 Oct 2009 00:03:59 GMT J Adv Nurs. 2009 Nov;65(11):2367-75. Epub 2009 Sep 11.
Healthcare routines of university students with Type 1 diabetes.

Balfe M.
Department of Epidemiology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland. mylesbalfe@rcsi.ie
TITLE: Healthcare routines of university students with Type 1 diabetes. AIM: This paper is a report of a study examining the benefits that university students with Type 1 diabetes associate with diabetes self-care routines, and the barriers that they experience in enacting self-care routines in the university environment. BACKGROUND: Many young adults with Type 1 diabetes attend university, and it is thought that these students might experience difficulties with their self-care routines while they are there. METHOD: A qualitative method was chosen to explore students' own perspectives. Seventeen students with diabetes were interviewed twice, and each kept a research diary for a 2-week period. Interviews and diaries were analyzed using standard qualitative techniques. The study was conducted in 2004-2005. FINDINGS: Routines had a number of identity-producing benefits for students. However, students often experienced difficulties routinizing their self-care practices at university. These difficulties stemmed both from the irregular nature of university life and from students' desires not to let their diabetes interfere with their student lives. Most participants learned to adjust to university and enact self-care routines, although they could still experience routine difficulties during times of transition and stress. CONCLUSION: Healthcare professionals need to be aware of the difficulties that university students with Type 1 diabetes experience with their self-care routines. This awareness needs to encompass older students in the second, third and fourth years of their undergraduate degrees and postgraduate students as well as students in their first year at university.

PMID: 19747295 [PubMed - in process]
]]> Parents of College Kids and Young Adults with Type 1 Ellen http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=46336 http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=46167&goto=newpost Wed, 28 Oct 2009 14:47:50 GMT My son was diagnosed with juevenile diabetes in nov of 2008. He was started on lantus and humolog, which initially kept his bs within range very... My son was diagnosed with juevenile diabetes in nov of 2008. He was started on lantus and humolog, which initially kept his bs within range very well. After a couple of months, his blood sugar began running low, and he developed seizures related to low blood sugars. He is now on Keppra for the seizures, but has since been taken off the humolog. His blood sugars run in the low 90's to 130's ish. He has had 2 negative eegs. Has anyone else had an experience like this? The doctor has not taken him off the Keppra yet, and I am not sure if she should. ]]> Parents of College Kids and Young Adults with Type 1 weelderlycare http://forums.childrenwithdiabetes.com/showthread.php?t=46167