School and Diabetes

Communication

The most important thing is to communicate properly with the people around you. This means, instructors, coaches, school nurses, and close friends or classmates. On the first day of school, at the end of every class, introduce yourself to your teachers and explain to them you’re situation. Most likely, your teacher already has some training and information on how to help you. However, it it’s still important for you and your teacher to communicate to stay on the same page. The last thing you want in an emergency is to have to waste time explaining yourself. Tell your instructor on some of the most common occurrences that might happen and what you need them to do in those situations. 

For example, I would say, “When I get high blood sugar, I am less energetic, I will need some time to administrate insulin. I will also have to use the bathroom more or go get a drink of water, please allow me to leave the classroom in these situations. In case I get low blood sugar, I may have to eat in class or I need someone to accompany me to the nurses office.” Be assertive with what you need because teachers are not only there to educate you, but also to look after your safety. I used to feel ashamed for being “high maintenance” but my teachers have been extremely understanding and it allowed me to feel more secure in an educational setting. 

If you are an athletic student, it is crucial to talk to your coaches about your diabetes. As most doctors should tell you, having diabetes will not stop you from achieving you athletic goals. In fact, I would say that it is in our benefit to join a sport and get consistent exercise. However, it does come with some complications. This is why communication with your coach is so important. When you have high or low blood sugar complications during practice or competitions, having a coach or teammates that can help you immediately will go a long way in securing your safety. 

Finally-talking to your friends. If you’re like me, you probably spend 80% of your time with your friends. This means if you have an emergency, 80% of the time it is your friends who will be the closest to you. Making sure that you peers are well educated on what is happening to you and how to best treat the situation is extremely important. I have had low blood sugars around people who simply don’t understand what low blood sugars are or how dangerous it can be. These situations are incredibly frustrating. Something that my friends do for me when I have a low blood sugar is give up their snacks for me to eat or buy me food if I don’t have money. Another thing that I have prepared my friends for is to administer the glucagon for me should I ever faint.