School is back in session across Saskatchewan and with that brings a number of challenges for students living with diabetes. As someone living with diabetes, I am acutely aware of what it takes to manage this complex condition, so I can only imagine the toll it places on children who live with it and their caregivers.
For those dependent on their phone to access a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) and insulin pump, they will never fully be able to disconnect like their peers, and I worry that the cellphone ban will become another way for children with diabetes to feel excluded, stigmatized or even discriminated against in the classroom.
People living with diabetes need to keep their blood sugar as close to what is called “in range” as possible to prevent serious complications. Blood sugars that are too high or low can result in negative health effects, even life-threatening ones. Children (and adults) may also feel unwell, shaky, anxious, experience headaches, blurry vision, an inability to concentrate, and make frequent trips to the bathroom.
For students living with diabetes, maintaining consistent blood sugar levels is critical for participating fully at school, both academically and socially. Because of that, most kids with diabetes need adult support—at home and school—with the daily tasks required to keep blood sugar levels in range.
And yet, children who live with diabetes are often left to fend for themselves at school. Or the responsibility is downloaded to the parents who are often asked to come to the school to assist with their child’s diabetes management. For many parents, this is impossible to manage with their work schedule, distance to travel or other caregiving responsibilities—but it also shouldn’t be required.
Students who can manage their own blood sugar monitoring and insulin administration have other obstacles to overcome. They are often asked to leave the classroom to check their blood sugar, administer insulin or treat a low, interrupting their learning and adding to the stigma, shame and blame that many children living with diabetes experience.
Kellie Biden has been advocating for in-school supports for her son since he was first diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of three. Kellie’s son is now 11 years old, yet the provincial policy remains inadequate for students living with diabetes in the province.
Despite the family’s diligent efforts to manage Devin’s diabetes at home, his prescribed regimen is not supported at school. It has been a challenge to get even modest support, such as an adult to verify the insulin dose he is administering.
In the past school year, Devin experienced low blood sugar episodes while self-managing, and now, as he enters the sixth grade, Kellie remains on-call every day to support with his diabetes care. Living in rural Saskatchewan, she makes the long trip to and from the school when Devin needs her, to be sure her son is safe.
This year, she filed a human rights complaint, which finally motivated the school to look at ways to better support the family. And while she is awaiting the final decision on the care of her son, we know that many other caregivers of children living with diabetes are facing similar struggles.
One in every 300 children live with type 1 diabetes in Canada, and more children are now being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It is likely that every school across the country has at least one student living with diabetes. Each of these children deserves to feel safe, included and supported at school.
Given the seriousness of diabetes, provinces should enable school boards to implement a comprehensive policy that includes the roles and responsibilities of the student, parents or guardians, and school personnel.
Diabetes Canada calls on governments to implement a mandatory standard of care that aligns with our Guidelines for the Care of Students living with diabetes.
Let’s work together to get this right.
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Laura Syron is president and CEO of Diabetes Canada.
