Had enough of schools and teachers grrrrr

sick, sick, sick to death of schools not listening. It seems just because some teacher got it in to their stupid head that my little girl takes to much ventolin and they don't think its ok that I now have to go to a stupid meeting. normally I would say great we are having a meeting and this will help them to understand but to be honest at this point I just feel like they think everything I say is s**t and means nothing. grrrrrr anger me When are they going to listen that a brittle asthmatic is not the same as a regular asthmatic. They are so stupid they think they might over dose her on ventolin. I mean come on what planet are they on. she takes no where near enough to over dose. She even told me that I should go to asthma UK website and get a reward chart. I mean hello it was me that recommend the school look at the asthma UK site, it was me that got the posters for the school to put up. They so need to stop comparing katie to a regular asthmatic. I could right this min think of lots of words I want to use for them but will not as I know I shouldn't on here but one of them ends in ""heads"".

I feel right now we have taken a massive step back in my DD's care in school and all because of some stupid teacher that thinks she knows better then me.

They was going on about her staying in when the weather was cold. I mean if she goes out and its cold, 99% of the time she gets ill. Makes more sense to have her stay in and stay well then go out and get ill.

I told them that she should not go out after swimming leason's with wet hair as she will get cold and get ill and what did they do this week??? sent her out side with wet hair after swimming.

I give them all the action plans and do they follow them??? no do they bloody hell. I told them what the resp nurse said that she should take 6 puffs of Ventolin before doing any exercise and they are worried she will overdose on that. What the hell is up with these people.

What makes them think they know better then me and the doctors ??? or is it just because I told them and they don't want to believe a word I say???

Can you tell I am mad.

[Hidden]

Oooo lisa I'd be just as cross as you are and would be using similar adjectives to describe them!!

Maybe when you meet with them you should mention that they have a duty of care.towards your.daughter's.well being whilst she is under.their care.during school hours and that for them, this mens following all medical advice given.

If they fail to do this they are in breach of their duty of care regardless of their personal thoughts and opinions on the matter.

Kakes me so cross when people who have no idea about brittle asthma try to make you feel that you are being over the top.

Good luck lisa and stick.to your guns!!

X

[angievere]

Hi Lisa. I know exactly where you are coming from, we've had a lot of hassle dealing with my son's school. PE teachers are the worst, we ended up going into school to see headteacher because PE dept wanted him to do outside games in the winter and wouldnt listen when I said 'absolutely not'.

The headteacher basically didnt understand (no idea about asthma) BUT was pleasant and agreed our son could be excused winter games.

Another thing I did was to get GP to write a letter, stating our son's condition, how long been treated for and what consultant he's under. It made it official for the school. GP has also written other letters asking he be excused swimming and outdoor games.

I cant remember how old your daughter is, presume primary school age? I must say, we have never had any hassle from teachers saying our son (14) takes too much ventolin. The only hassle I got at primary school was getting them to let him have his inhaler in classroom.

It's very difficult and frustrating but keep plugging away.

[Hidden]

Hi Lisa

I know exactly what you are going through. I am in regular conflict with the teachers at my daughter's school over her attendance. Despite letters from both her Consultant and GP the school still don't believe that she has difficult to manage asthma with regular exacerbations, causing regular absences. The school sent me a letter again last week about her attendance, amazingly they can't solve the issue about how to help her catch up.

If you can persuade the school to meet with you and your resp nurse maybe that would help. I would demand a meeting with the class teacher and the head and the best of luck in getting them to listen. If you are still not happy write formally to the Chair of governors stating that you want to complain about the lack of duty of care. Feel free to pm me if you want.

Good luck, keep fighting!

[Hidden]

Absolutely ridiculous this state of affairs in schools. Stick to your guns and let them have it. Agree with the idea to ask resp nurse to come in with you. Also with approaching school governors re neglect in duty of care.

[Hidden]

sorry to hear about your daughter, and yes i would be spitting feathers at them as well. The school has really got to realise they are not doctors!!!!. You and your daughter IS following the doctors advice, and they have no right to start charging in saying she is taking too much ventolin without consulting you first or without written confirmation from your gp etc. They seriously lack duty of care to your daughter, speak to the school, govenors and also have you thought of contacting the ofstead or somone like that because they will certainly will have a lot more to say especially as it sounds duty of care is almost non existant. The comparision sceneiro is wrong as well as each child as you are fully aware has different variants of asthma and its a case by case basis as in most adults as well

i hoped this has helped pm if you wish and very good luck

[yaf_user681_15459]

I know how you feel and share your frustrations.

I have two daughters at primary/Preskl age, both with moderate and brittle asthma.

The 6yr old has moderate asthma, is under a consultant and still the school struggle to accept she need ventolin when she asks for it. It then gets so bad she ends up needing several days off and a course of prednisalone to get things back on track! This has happened 7 times in the past year!! I even got a letter from our practice asthma nurse and gp stating the rules re ventolin. Frustration!!!!

Then there's the contrast with my 3yr old brittle asthmatic! We have had nothin but a positive start to her Preskl life. The consultant has phoned and spoken to the staff on the phone, she has sent her hospital respiratory team out to the Preskl to educate the staff in person. There has been a staff training session on brittle asthma. They have a copy of maddies action plan on the wall and easily visible and they know the procedures inside out but if for some reason they question themselves, they just give me a call to check.

The difference between the two is astounding. I think the reason why I that maddies consultant got involved. If this wasn't set up properly and in place, Maddie would be unable to go to Preskl!

Is this something you can do? I'm presuming that if shes brittle poor lamb, she'll be under a team who know her inside out and will therefore be eager to support her through school too. Maybe have a word with the hospital? Maybe the respiratory nurses will be able to visit the school and talk through everything that brittle asthma involves. I'm sure they will begin to sit up and listen.

Is there anyone allocated to Katie in order to help her with symptoms/meds? Maybe this top would be an idea to try and establish. Even my eldest daughter (the moderate asthmatic) ha an assigned person that she can go to when she's tight chested etc. (mind you I'm not sure about the choice of staff member! Lol!)

Your right though Hun, folk just DO NOT understand what brittle asthma involves and the dreadful illness it is for the child, as well as the heartache and torment us parents endure daily with all the medication and worry involved. The more professionals you can get involved to help educate them the better.

Best of luck, let me know how you get on.

Emily x

Loads

[Hidden]

Hi,

I am a teacher (not taught for a couple of yrs since Leo was born but had a yr 6 class for seven years) and I am appalled at the response from your school!

They have a duty of care towards all children, well or otherwise, and this should be outlined in their Inclusion Policy, which you are totally within your rights to ask to see. This policy should state how they should deal with children with illnesses/disabilities etc within the school and no member of staff should be allowed to make comments on medical issues that they are unqualified to discuss without having the means to justify it. Many schools also have a specific Asthma Policy, if your school doesn't it may be an idea to ask your asthma nurse to suggest that they develop one, possibly with her support?

I would definitely ask for some support from your consultant and asthma nurse if at all possible and also contact both the headteacher and the head of governors to share your concerns. go armed with literature about Ventoiln and Brittle Asthma so that they cannot argue with the facts put in front of them.

If this is still not resolved (which woulld be totally unacceptable) get in touch with your LEA (Local Education Authority) and tell them about your concerns. They may have a countywide policy for dealing with medical issues etc and will advise your school accordingly. It is more beneficial to go to them rather than OFSTED at this stage as they govern all the schools in your area so have more direct links to them and their staff and will be able to act more quickly whereas OFSTED may not know anything about your school or any of the staff.

I hope this helps.

As for having problems with schools not letting children have inhalers in classrooms, this is totally wrong and most probably illegal as it is putting children at risk. I nearly always (depending on the number of children in the class each yr with asthma) had a cupboard with two or 3 inhalers and spacers, clearly labelled and accompanied with letters or instructions written by the parents, and the relevant children knew exactly where they were and had access to them at all times. Why on earth would I, or any other teacher for that matter, have a problem with this? It is just ridiculous and makes you wonder if these people have any common sense at all? I would be much more worried as a teacher if an asthmatic child didn't have an inhaler close to hand, not the other way round!!

I hope my suggestions help in some way. Good luck and let us know how you get on

Rebecca

[Hidden]

i can sympthasie with you, my sons teacher thinks she knows better about his asthma, and quite frequently says he doesnt need his inhaler and WONT let him have it!!! it drives me mad!

to the extent that son has been sent home from school today after saying he needed inhaler, was sent out to play in cold, he started coughing, chest got tight, hard to breathe, coughed more and ended up being sick through coughing so much - teacher still wouldnt let him have his inhaler and sent him home. they wouldnt even listen to hubby about why he had been sick.