“You either get tired fighting for peace, or you die.” ~John Lennon
Thanks for the information on vitamin B6. I got great responses both in private emails and the comments.
Guess who is back in the news again? Yes, the school nurses …
I’m going to keep this short since I, well, sort of have a bit of cleaning and prepping to do around the house. Mom and sister are coming for the holiday … still have not really explained to Pearlsky why my dad won’t be here. Yeah, I’m a wuss.
The typical school note came home today, no initials by the nurses for having given meds. The aide tells me that the nurses claim they do not need to send home any verification that meds were given since they log it on the computer at school.
I sent an email to the school administration, the investigator at the Department of Public Health, Office of Public Protection, and the Attorney General’s Chief of Civil Rights. The investigator writes me right back asking about my claim that minimally this violates the IEP. So I cut and paste …
At the beginning of each academic year, the parent will provide a medical order for each medication to be given at school. As per state regulations, the order must be signed by the physician and it will state the name of the medication, exact dosage, route and time of administration. Signed parental authorization is also required yearly, including over-the-counter medicines. All medication must be provided in a pharmacy labeled container. All medical issues, concerns and any change in medication will be communicated directly between the nursing staff and the parent. Pearlsky will receive her medically prescribed medicines in a medically timely manner. If in fact this is not possible, her parents will be notified immediately. Additionally, the nurse or the teacher will provide some notation that is sent home acknowledging that the medications were properly dispensed.
Upon getting that, the AG lawyer called the town lawyer and then called me.
Rest assured that tomorrow’s note will be initialed by the nurse. Contact me either way.
I then followed up with both the investigator and the AG lawyer …
Please note that the quote from Pearlsky’s IEP has been there for several years. Also note the attached, Pearlsky’s medical order. An identical medication form from Pearlsky’s doctors has been going to school every year, it clearly has the amino acid as a medication, the medication the nurses refused to give. I have been in complete compliance with the IEP and what is asked for.
My point is, the nurses have been in violation of the IEP for years.
Have I mentioned that I’m tired?
Oye.
Just Oye.
Have a comfortable time with your family, don’t worry too much about the cleaning. Have fun, go bowling or something. Good luck.
Have a wonderful turkey day,!
As much as we love reading here, spend your time on Pearlsky, your Mom and sister. Are the older two of the type who might clean your home for you? 😉
I am thankful to have met you online. Thanks for sharing your daughter (and whole family really) with us here.
I am thankful for this blog! But I agree it sounds like you need a rest from blogging AND cleaning. Do the minimum cleaning and prepping, keep it all as simple as possible, and go do something fun for yourself, or stay in bed with a good book.
Well, you are obviously getting the passive aggressive thing going on here with nursing. Usually, they are thrilled with charting, anytime, all the time. They surely know that the point of filling out the chart on paper is for the parent to know the child got the meds. The fact that it is “on the computer” is completely useless to a parent. Wow…what a bunch. Hope it doesn’t cloud your Thanksgiving.
I agree with Claire, you are getting the passive aggressive treatment from some person or people who are feeling untouchable.
I cannot WAIT until they get touched and the hammer actually falls.
THIS will be a wonderful, wonderful thing. I just wish it would happen sooner rather than later so that you could find some peace and Pearlsky will not be a pawn and just be Pearlsky again at this facility. I don’t like that they see her as such. It’s demeaning and humiliating and not at all fair to her as a human being.
It’s unacceptable.
Take care dude, enjoy the holiday as best as you can.
I was a caregiver in a group home for developmentally delayed adults who were severely or profoundly mentally retarded. One of my duties was meds administration. It was made crystal clear to me by the administration of the facilities chain and the nurses who visited from the state licensing board that if we f’ed up meds or treatments, even by accident, that the facility could lose their licence and I could go to jail. Failure to document was such a big deal that the facility’s nurse encouraged us to commit fraud by signing after the fact rather than leaving a blank in the record (yes, I reported him to the state for that little gem and many others). I am sputtering and dumbfounded over this harridan’s visciously neglectful behavior. I have an almost overwhelming desire to track her down and box her ears before turning her over to the police. I applaud your restraint. I hope her license is revoked and she is prosocuted for her abuses. May she someday end up in a care facility where they provide the level of care she has provided.
Rachel:
You are my new best friend! (sorry Ken)
KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAANNNN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
This may be the pregnancy hormones talking, but I have the strong desire to kick Pearlsky’s school nurse in the shins (or the teeth, if I were flexible enough).
That said, I hope you and your family have a lovely Thanksgiving in spite of all you have been through over the past few weeks. Take care.
Just found your blog tonight. Think your writing is great, and am very moved by a lot of the stories. I have a 3 year old daughter and a -2 month old son in utero. I hope and pray I never have to go through what you and so many of your commenters do, but still am astounded at how some officials treat you.
Jo – I’ll fly over from the uk and break her kneecaps, then you can kick her in the teeth without having to be flexible