going low @ school

Hi Brittany,

My daughter, Paige, is 11 and has diabetes.  She talks to me about this a lot.  At her school, lots of girls carry small purses to class.  Do girls at your school do that?  She carries glucose tablets in her purse and when she gets low, she very quietly takes them out of her purse and takes care of her low blood sugar.  All her teachers are aware of her diabetes, so none of them give her any trouble at all and most of the time, the kids in her class don't even know!  Would that be something you could do?  Maybe have some crackers, juice, candy or glucose tablets in a purse?

I'm so sorry that some kids are so rude to you.  They just don't understand!  You are definitely doing the right thing by taking care of your diabetes!!!  :-)

dont worry it's not a big problem in every school some people make fun with others.

have you seen harry potter in that film melfoy and others scoffing harry and his frnds.

it's a life your friends scoffing with you via your diabties if its not they will make fun with any other thing . it's life dont  feel low you are better with others.

sunny

type 1

17 years old boy

Brittany,

Lows at school can be tough!  I wouldn't tell you not to feel badly when kids make insensitive comments, however, I do recommend you balance it by spending time with friends who will be supportive.  I think keeping glucose tablets or gel with you is a good idea. Anything that can be easily packaged with your testing supplies is nice.

My advice to you is to be who you are and do what you need to do to take care of yourself.  Ufortunately, confidence will not always lead to popularity.  That said, I have learned that when you feel comfortable and confident about the fundamentals in your life (how you care for yourself, how you care for those close to you), it makes it easier to find and keep your supports in place. It is easier to respond to the less positive comments when you know you are doing everything you need to do to take care of yourself and you feel good about it!

Best of luck- it gets easier!

A-D

It is sad that you have to go through that. I agree with Elizabeth maybe you can carry a small purse with your snack. Are you allowed to do that in your classes or do you have to go down to the nurse?

I would talk to every teacher to warn them about being diabetic.  Most teachers understand and let you carry a candy bar or gatorade just in case you have symptoms of low sugar.  Diabetics should get special accomodations because their health is important and it doesn't look good to the teacher and the school if the diabetic person faints because of low sugar.  

But Don't be afraid to tell your friends what it is like to be diabetic because they may not know what it actually means.  Be strong.  It is not your fault that your sugar is low sometimes.  It is tough to deal with sometimes.

I hope this helps

I agree...carry a small purse. That's what I do. But the problem is...my school limits purse size and in the size they allow I simply can't fit what I need. I went to administration to talk to them about making me an acception to the "purse rule" but our Assistant Principal said no and said it wasn't his fault that I needed these things. Well mister, IT'S NOT MY FAULT EITHER. See, people just don't understand the various setbacks of living with diabetes. Talk to your teachers hun and they should be understanding. This man is an exception to that because he's not nice to anyone lol. Actually, I know if I don't eat a snack around 1:30 I start getting low. I'm in chemistry class during that time so every day I pull out my bag of chips and eat away! :) The teachers don't mind and my classmates just think it's cool that I can eat whenever...I always bring a little extra for anyone who asks. :) Don't be afraid to talk to anyone about it and explain what you need. I always carry Capri Sun with me because I know it gives me a quick boost when I need it. Well, I hope I've helped. Let me know if you wanna talk... :)

You should read up on the Americans with Disabilities Act. I wish I had seen it. It was written in 1995, I think, and there's a whole section on type 1 diabetes and what your rights are in school. It's wonderful because there's a section on making a plan of action with your mom and doctor that gives you rights you might not have now to take care of yourself. It's dangerous to try to find the nurse's office while having an insulin reaction...but schools don't always think about rights...you and your mother can really get a lot of help from online pages that talk about what type 1 in school is and what your rights are. It's not safe to try and go to the nurse's office every time you get low! I remember i had to serve detention one time for treating an insulin reaction...because I wasn't in the cafeteria! I'm 32 now, but I am still mad about that.

In terms of people who are making fun of you, are they your friends? If they are your friends, do they maybe think you are laughing with them, or are they immature people who are using you being low for a laugh at your expense? If it is the latter case, feel sorry for them because people who have to sink that low don't feel good about themselves inside. They may hide it well, and look like they're having fun, but they're miserable inside.

I still have moments where I get mad about something I hear...but I have people I can trust to 'vent' with who are patient and trustworthy. Do you have a classmate, a teacher, or a parent that you can 'vent' to? Maybe part of the reason these kids are making fun of you is that they are scared. But either way, you are not alone. Keep smiling...sometimes the most powerful defense against people who are immature and cruel is a smile...it confuses them.

I tell them that if I don't eat to get my bloodsugar up I could die andd what is so funny about that.

Its been a while since i was at school, but i used to keep a small zip lock bag of jelly beans inside my pencil case, because i almost always had it on my desk and the bag was easy to open it was discreet enough. Another option is to keep glucose tablets in your pocket- again zip seal them, that way if you forget to take them out and they go through the washing machine you won't destroy your clothes.

Don't listen to those people at school who taunt you. My best friends knew i was diabetic, and they understood that from time to time i had to do things a lil different, the ones who teased me were not friends, so i didn't care what they thought. School with diabeties is hard, but remember, there are lots of ppl with lots of different problems taking lots of different medications. How many asthmatics are there at your school? they have to be careful also, so don't worry, you'll be fine and make it.

i take a little purse with me to all me classes. it has a tester kit and some skittles in it. it helps a lot.

Hey Brittany,

I have the same problem. I keep A small snack with me like Ritz crackers or a couple of peppermints if that doesnt help me my teacher is also diabetic and she gives me juice so try keeping stuff with you.

                                                 -Brittany Taylor :D

hey girl, i hear ya'. i have even had teachers say stupid things. the sad thing is there is nothing you can do, people will be ignorant and rude the good thing is you don't have to let it get to you. when people make fun of me i would just say i'm the one who gets to eat in class when i want, and then make sure to pack really good candy in your pack or kit or purse and eat it right infront of them on your desk with no shame. you can also have a wtaer botttle with you, because it helps your blood sugar, the school has to let you have it, so next time your "friend" asks to get a drink and the teacher says no...pull out your water bottle and take a sip...it's not being rude, it's taking pride in the certian perks you get for having to go through what you do. and fyi when you sart driving you can get a handicap spot, most people don't know that! good luck girl!

seriously, ive had to deal with this for 5 years. there were two options for me, the first was to just carry food in your backpack and whip it out whenever. (did that) the second was to just joke about it when other people do. I KNOW THIS IS HARD, but we have to survive someway, right? the best way (i have found) is to laugh along with others. you might find that they are just trying to connect with you and/or make things less awkward with the whole diseased thing :)

i cant stand lows in school i can barely concentrate and it always  seems to happen at the worst time but i also carry around a bag but its very stylish and that boosts my confidence alittle i also reccomend smarties for lows they are 14g for two rolls

yeah i carry a bag aournd with me for my books so i just pop my glucose pills in there. very simple :o))