Every Child Matters - Children with Diabetes

They had taken someone with diabetes before and "just pushed a mars bardown him before he went down the ski slope" in their words. (I had informedthe trip leader of Philip's diabetes when he was signed up about a year ago.)The health and safety guy now announced they were all really worriedthat Philip was a very high risk and that they didn't have enough staff tolook after the other children if he were taken ill. (But of course, any ofthe children or staff could be taken ill!) The upshot was: either I gowith him or the trip is cancelled for him, until next year, when they willhave it all sorted in good time and an extra member of staff to look outfor him specifically.Philip was very quiet in the meeting, only saying how much he wanted to goon the trip, but afterwards was extreeeeemely upset to say the least.What he said about the school/staff is unrepeatable! He finally decidedhe didn't want me with him (although I was quite happy to go, paying infull), but would wait a year. That seems about the best solution, and weare in time to have a full refund from the company organising the trip.I am sharing this just so that if any other parents/children are planningto go on such a trip, arrangements are be made with the school well inadvance. i.e. at least 6 months.I feel so bad that he has been disappointed and, in his words, "has beenkicked out of the ski trip because he is diabetic". He calmed downlater and was OK this morning. We will have to make it up to him big timeover half term and of course, his big brother is still going on the skitrip! Anne Mum to Philip, aged 12 diagnosed 4.8.2002 pumping since Nov.2005,When Sophie was in Y3 (pre pump - on MDI) they did one term of swimminglessons. She was due to go in the Spring Term. Before Xmas I sent in anedited/personalised version (by me) of the DUK exercise in school leaflet &some other info requesting a meeting with the teachers going on the weeklylessons. I had no response & nagged. Eventually (weeks after cashing mycheque) I had a note on the last day of term in Sophie's homework diaryasking me to come in at 8am on the first day of term to see them - the firstswimming lesson was that afternoon!I stood in the corridor with Sophie meter in one hand & swimming bag in theother explaining the seriousness of the situation & what needed to be done.Neither of the accompanying teachers had even seen let alone read the info Ihad sent to the Head of PE. The female teacher said - remember Sophie wasstanding next to her ready to go "I absolutely cannot take Sophie with me itsfar too much responsibility" the male teacher offered to take responsibility &she said "you wont be in the female changing room, what if there is a problem& someone else needs me as well". The male teacher then suggested thatperhaps if I would go with then there would not be a problem - you'd think shewould have been glad of the extra help but it was only very grudgingly that sheaccepted this as a solution. She was particularly rude & awful to me for thewhole term, despite the fact that I was taking an afternoon a week off work togo and help & told me in no uncertain terms that should I be unavailable anyweek there was no way she would take Sophie.44