IOH Stories of others living with type 1 diabetes

Kim and son, Eric, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2
Glassboro, New Jersey, USA

A mother challenges a day care facility that discriminated against her child

When Kim Erdwein first contacted me to share her story my reaction was "been there, but did nothing." In fact, I am sure many of you who have a child with diabetes will read her story and say "been there."

And just where is "there?" In a school or day care situation where those required by federal and/or state law to provide care and reasonable accommodations for a child with diabetes, simply refuse to do so. Parents, frustrated and already over taxed, often do not fully understand their child's rights and go elsewhere, quit work to care for their child, or go to a school to provide all daily care for their child with diabetes.

In fact, I was one of those parents who did not understand the law when my own child, Elizabeth, entered kindergarten. When her public school refused to provide any care at all (not even a glucose check) I had to go to school multiple times per day. Elizabeth still ended up in a dangerous health situation one day through gross negligence on the school's part so I home schooled her for the remainder of the year. I felt that a school who did not want to do what was right (and required) might be forced to do so, but did I really want my precious Elizabeth there under those circumstances? It was not until almost two years later that I did something about it and decided to get involved.

But Kim was not complacent like I was. She immediately stood up for her child and for herself. When her son's day care facility indicated that they would not continue to care for her son, she challenged their actions -- head on.

Although Kim was very involved in her young son's daily care, coming to the center to give insulin injections at lunch time and checking ketones to make sure it was safe for Eric to be at school, the school still balked when it came time to re-enroll Eric.

Kim still helps out with Eric's care, but her story serves as a reminder to us all, that when we stand up for our children's rights we not only work to change a system that is flawed, but we also send a very clear message to our children about just how important they are to us.

Eric is doing great at Aura school now and the nurse Mrs. Potosky has been wonderful. She takes care of my son and another little girl Abby who is in 2nd grade. She runs from one classroom to the other to do blood sugars.

This nurse I would put on a pedestool. She went to an educational class with me a year before school started about diabetes at Childrens Hospital in P.A. and even came to my house a week before school started to go over Erics routine.



		Islets of Hope real people - stories from others living with type 1 diabetes



		Story idea submitted by Kimberly Erdwein. Read her story as it appeared in the Glouchester County Times, May 4, 2004 edition. Kim and Eric (and Thomas, of course!) Graduation day! Eric is doing great at his new school thanks to Kim's efforts and the loving care of a wonderful schoo nurse! Interested in sharing your story? Visit our Contact page to learn how.				Real people *Stories of children living with type 1 diabetes* Kim and son, Eric, diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 2 Glassboro, New Jersey, USA *A mother challenges a day care facility that discriminated against her child* Eric was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 2 When Kim Erdwein first contacted me to share her story my reaction was "been there, but did nothing." In fact, I am sure many of you who have a child with diabetes will read her story and say "been there." And just where is "there?" In a school or day care situation where those required by federal and/or state law to provide care and reasonable accommodations for a child with diabetes, simply refuse to do so. Parents, frustrated and already over taxed, often do not fully understand their child's rights and go elsewhere, quit work to care for their child, or go to a school to provide all daily care for their child with diabetes. In fact, I was one of those parents who did not understand the law when my own child, Elizabeth, entered kindergarten. When her public school refused to provide any care at all (not even a glucose check) I had to go to school multiple times per day. Elizabeth still ended up in a dangerous health situation one day through gross negligence on the school's part so I home schooled her for the remainder of the year. I felt that a school who did not want to do what was right (and required) might be forced to do so, but did I really want my precious Elizabeth there under those circumstances? It was not until almost two years later that I did something about it and decided to get involved. But Kim was not complacent like I was. She immediately stood up for her child and for herself. When her son's day care facility indicated that they would not continue to care for her son, she challenged their actions -- head on. Although Kim was very involved in her young son's daily care, coming to the center to give insulin injections at lunch time and checking ketones to make sure it was safe for Eric to be at school, the school still balked when it came time to re-enroll Eric. Kim still helps out with Eric's care, but her story serves as a reminder to us all, that when we stand up for our children's rights we not only work to change a system that is flawed, but we also send a very clear message to our children about just how important they are to us. Here is a recent and happy update from Kim! Eric is doing great at Aura school now and the nurse Mrs. Potosky has been wonderful. She takes care of my son and another little girl Abby who is in 2nd grade. She runs from one classroom to the other to do blood sugars. This nurse I would put on a pedestool. She went to an educational class with me a year before school started about diabetes at Childrens Hospital in P.A. and even came to my house a week before school started to go over Erics routine. Kim, 10/17/2006 Read Kim and Eric's story, as it was first published in May of 2004.



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