Dealing with Diabetes at School

One of the hardest thing about managing my diabetes is managing it at school. It can be uncomfortable to be high/low at school, awkward to tell people that you’re diabetic, or embarrassing to have to leave the classroom when no one else is available to help treat your blood sugar. Sometimes, it is hard to have to explain it over and over again to classmates who may not fully comprehend what diabetes is or the difference between type one and type two.

            Over the years, I've developed some strategies that have helped me deal with diabetes in school:

            a) It is very important to tell your teachers/coaches that you have diabetes. It’s reassuring to know you have support in case anything happens. Although I have a school diabetes management plan, I've found it helpful to make a clear, concise, one page document that I give to my teachers explaining what diabetes is, what I need, and a couple of other important details.

            b) I am very open about my diabetes. I keep my pump clipped to the outside of my pocket and I test in front of people. That is what works for me and my school; however, it is important to do whatever you feel comfortable with. If you want to tell only your close friends, that is completely fine! If you choose to have a whole-class meeting to tell your peers, that works too! Remember, it’s your diabetes and whatever works for you will work for everyone, too!

            c) Do whatever makes you comfortable! Diabetes is about you, and whatever makes you feel safe, secure, and happy is what should happen. It is you who has to deal with it all the time, and therefore everything you need should be provided to you! If you want a space to store your diabetes supplies within a classroom, permission to leave/stay in the classroom while you test, or having an alternate choice if an edible prize/snack is given in class that is not compatible with diabetes, that is something you deserve to have. 

And, if you have any questions about in-school diabetes management, the American Diabetes Association Safe at School program has great resources to support you, you can find more information at www.diabetes.org/safeatschool. 

Thanks!

Amelia Renner

2016 Illinois Youth Ambassador
American Diabetes Association

Introducing the American Diabetes Association 2016 Illinois Youth Ambassador!

Hello! My name is Amelia Renner and I am the American Diabetes Association 2016 Illinois Youth Ambassador. I am fifteen years old and a freshman in high school in downtown Chicago. I play competitive volleyball at a club and at my school, I love to read, and I use an Animas insulin pump and meter.

I began my experience with the American Diabetes Association almost immediately after my diagnosis. I was diagnosed in August of 2009, right before I went into the third grade. I was terrified, anxious, and completely dependent on my parents and teachers to control my diabetes for me. My mom then sent me to the American Diabetes Association Camp Confidence where I learned many, many lessons on managing my diabetes, viewed many positive role models, learned about my condition, made new friends, and had a great time! 

For the past 3 years I have been volunteering at Camp Crossroads and for the past 2 years at Camp Confidence because it is so important for people with diabetes to learn these lessons and I am sure that American Diabetes Association diabetes camps are the best places for this to occur. To me, being the Illinois Youth Ambassador means that I get to help more people learn these lessons and get to know the American Diabetes Association support system. I am very, very lucky to have been able to participate in diabetes camps and to have become the American Diabetes Association 2016 Illinois Youth Ambassador; I am very excited to work in this position and to get to know all of you!!