OACS News Service
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Student diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes accesses in-school nursing support The nurse spends about 15 minutes with Paige, providing medical support and education and monitoring the state of her health. Milly Roorda, Paige’s mother, says the support allays many of her anxieties about her daughter’s condition. “It just gives me a bit of security and comfort to know that (Paige is) checking in with (a nurse) partway through the day,” says Milly, noting that while the teachers and Paige’s friends have been educated on juvenile diabetes, the nurse provides additional assurance with her training and experience in the field. “I know if she isn’t feeling well that this nurse will be able to pick up on the signs and call me.” A person with Type 1 diabetes may reach a medical state which requires an urgent response. The nurse is also helping to reduce many of Paige’s anxieties about her condition as she supports the student through the extremely steep learning curve of following a nutritional plan, calculating her food intake, measuring her required insulin, giving herself insulin injections and so forth. The arrangement eases some of the financial stress on the family as well, according to Milly, noting the family would have to explore some very difficult options if the nursing support wasn’t available. “It’s a huge blessing for us,” she says. Ian Timmerman is the principal of Laurentian Hills Christian School, the school Paige attends. He says having the nursing support available also benefits the school community. “It just gives us the knowledge and the security knowing that those needs are being properly taken care of by a health-care professional,” says Timmerman, who was instrumental in arranging the support through the Waterloo Wellington Community Care Access Centre (CCAC). Funded through the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care, the SSHS initiative provides health-care services to children who otherwise would be unable to attend school, or whose education would be disrupted by having to leave the school setting for needed therapy. “Our goals are to support your child’s independence and maximize his or her ability to participate in school activities and instruction,” states the CCAC website. Laurentian Hills has previously accessed occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech language therapy for its students. If you have feedback on this article please contact michelle(at)axiomnews.ca, or call the newsroom at 800-294-0051. |
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