Sending a child to school with diabetes is not always an easy thing. While there are protections in place, such as Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, to ensure students with medical conditions are not discriminated against in school, several parents of children with diabetes have complained that it is difficult to get schools to comply with Section 504.
The Philadelphia Inquirer ran a recent article about a sixth grader with diabetes named Jack McLaughlin, who is locked in a battle with his school over his exercise routine, which he says is necessary to keep his blood sugar under control. Specifically, the Chester County, Pa. boy says that in order to stay alert and healthy he needs to attend a physical education class every day and wants to maintain a routine. The problem is that students have physical education classes just two days a week and music and reading-skills classes the other days of the week.
Jack’s parents would like the school to allow him to skip music and reading class and attend gym class five days a week. The school said no, claiming that Jack’s health would not be imperiled without the exemption. Instead they suggested he join the school’s intramural sports or walking club to get the exercise he needs. They also said he is allowed to leave class five minutes early to take a longer route to the next class to get extra exercise.
Jack’s mom, Cathy, says the school’s suggestions are unacceptable because they will not allow him to get intensive exercise on a regular daily schedule. So, currently, the issue remains unresolved.
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go figure