LymeNet Flash: How to deal with schools who seem to think we are drug addicts or something....

This is topic How to deal with schools who seem to think we are drug addicts or something.... in forum General Support at LymeNet Flash.

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Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :

Both my husband and I have chronic Lyme, as well as our older son. We have recently been having run ins with the kids schools...

Last week my husband signed up to chaperone a field trip; but felt awful and called to say he wouldn't be able to get there until noon.

When he arrived at the school, the principal called him into her office (we had forgotten to send our son's permission slip, therefore he'd had to wait in the office.)

She basically reamed him out; asked him what was wrong with him, and told him there was no such thing as Chronic Lyme Disease, and referred to the recent ucONN article!

My husband looked horrible, his eyes were all bloodshot (he has rosacea of the eyes), and it was pretty clear that they must have thought we are substance abusers.

It was also pretty clear that people had been talking around the school, since he never said he had "chronic lyme disease."

The school had been trying to call us; we both felt horrible that day and were sleeping. We hadn't heard the phone.

My husband has sleep apnea and sleeps with a CPAP machine, and I sleep with earplugs. We both went back to sleep after the kids went off to school, and neither of us had heard the phone.

So any suggestions on how to deal with the school? We live in a very small town; and I'm sure now that people are talking!!!!

Posted by bettyg (Member # 6147) on :

tracy, so sorry to read about this and how it affects your kids!

geneal used to work for the school system ....social worker. i'm sure she will come along.

look for her membership number since she just posted something.

then do a search in GENERAL SUPPORT; i'm sure her osts about schools hve been in this area.

good luck! [group hug]

Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :

Hmmmmmm.

First of all it is not the school system's business to discuss your health issues.

I would be livid.

I would probably hire an attorney to send a letter specifically taking them to task

For violating your privacy, diagnosis' and abilities.

Holy Cow!

I would definitely call the Superintendent of the School system in your area and heartily voice

My discontent of their handling of your situation.

If you had wanted or needed their opinion as to your health and situation, you could have asked them.

Serious crossing over of boundaries. One that needs to be addressed administratively or through an attorney.

I would also ask the Superintendent about a change of school for your child.

How can he function in a hostile environement?

Yikes!

What jerks. They obviously feel that their power in that school is absolute to be so brazen and stupid at the same time.

I am getting madder and madder thinking about this. [Mad]

Let me think about it for a while and see if I can come up with more.

Hang in there. [Smile]

I guess I would also ask to see their Medical Degrees since they are

Such an authority on medical conditions and issues. [shake]

Hugs,

Geneal

Posted by Geneal (Member # 10375) on :

PS: We are on drugs.....just not the "good" kind. [Big Grin]

Hugs,

Geneal

Posted by sixgoofykids (Member # 11141) on :

I would follow Geneal's advice, don't do nothing ... something needs to be done.

I would also print out the latest study by Fallon (I think) and give it to the principal.

It truly is none of their business.

We now live in a city with a lot of students ... we moved from a small town. I must admit, there is comfort in the anonymity of a larger town. I never volunteer for anything because of Lyme.

My kids teachers usually know, but no one really beyond that. And since it's not commonly diagnosed here, no one really knows much about it other than I'm sick.

I'd be very irritated and concerned if I were you. Very irritated. Ugh.

Posted by Freethinker (Member # 13002) on :

Shame on those folks...how dare they humiliate you and your husband in such a manner.

[cussing]

girl, i would arm myself with data and my unusually large mouth and go before the school board. Don't let them intimidate you! They work for you and your children remember.

They need to be put in their "place" like good little girls and boys...lol...(Free puts them in dunce caps in the corner)

they are just like bullies. Once you stand up to them, you shouldn't have any more problems.

hugs* for you and hubby!

[kiss]

Posted by kelmo (Member # 8797) on :

My daughter would go to school, and her pupils would be dialated. You know every football player asked her if she would sell some of her "stuff"?!!! They wouldn't give her the time of day, otherwise.

One day, she came out of the girls bathroom and a teacher stopped her and asked if she was doing drugs in the bathrooom.

Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :

sorry for your having gone through that with the school person.

how about DVDs from ILADS of their last seminar ?

the support group nearest you may have them and they may have a speakers' bureau of sorts. An in-service presentation for all the school system by ILADS or LDA reps ?

I know this is a lot of work and worry.

too bad we have to present our cases to prove our innocence (sp?)

Come Spring . . . lyme educaton / prevention for all the students ?

Posted by Tracy9 (Member # 7521) on :

Thank you all so much for the support!! I will write more about it later; it's one am. right now.