I know our district websites have allergy statements and references scattered about. there is official policy in the handbook. Room moms are "officially" in charge of things like drinks, and our student organization provides foods supposedly more allergy safe than previously. All our schools now have nurses full time (from what I understand), and all bus drivers and teachers are inserviced yearly on institute day to use an epi pen.
When I arrived, there were no school nurses full time, and they were denying my son's right to carry. PBJ hasn't been on the "Brown Bag" federally funded menu since. I have the letter from the district lawyer for our region, who stated it was "not a productive use of time" since I had disenrolled my son.
Marching band no longer provides buffet style food during camp. Students bring their own, parents bring it, or they go out to eat during specified breaks. I know that's a HUGE relief for a dozen or so band moms who had to shop for, cook, and serve it.
Two days ago, a fireman whose wife is heavily involved in the school district asked my husband if
*I* was responsible for epi pens being kept on hand in the school district that don't belong to any specific child (we are in Illinois). Good gravy, my husband had to come home and ask
me if I was. I said, NO.....deaths of individuals who needed epi are. Our good senator is. The people who drew up the proposal, researched it, and voted for it are. A person high up in special education made the same inquiry a bit ago as well *to me*. While I'm not,
I'd like to think that means I left my mark, and some on a few asses. People still ask how my son is managing. As a matter of fact, his elementary school principal asked me for an update today, even.
Be the change you wish to see, yes? As I've posted elsewhere, while I do not have a child with food allergies *now* in elementary education, I'm part of the valentine party planning committee for my daughter's kinder class, and I'm probably alienating myself taking special care to include children with red dye, peanut, and milk allergies. Questioning plans apparently already made. <shrug>
Someone has to, and to this day, if anything peeves me, it's when I hear of a parent at this age level who has left instructions that their child doesn't have to be included.
So.....while the policies are in place,
there's still a lot of work left for doing. We can't just grow "up" with our children and away from the system if it's ever going to change. There's a lot of educating to be done. I think once you've been *that mom*, you always will be. I'm not saying overrule another mother's choice for her child, but if you have the power to change the external circumstances, remind people of the policies, and hold the powers that be accountable for enforcing them, then so be it. We don't have to have pink hot chocolate or strawberry punch, or cross contaminated anything at a party with a milk, peanut and red dye allergy. <shrug>
We've heard for years from children, now adults who said "well, no special changes were ever made for me". Now they can hear from children, now adults who can say "I wasn't excluded" or "I almost died but epinephrine and an ambulance ride saved me."
Aside from that, I also take the time to informally guide people through the process and introduce them to the keystones I've met along the way and who "get it" that can assist them, both wrt educational needs, evaluations, and food allergies. Sometimes I'm just there at an appointment as a support person who can remember appointments, key points, and what needs to be done.
It's not like I ever felt I was going to be able to walk away from the teaching end of it.
Topic: 3 years post elem (Read 2683 times)
