Kids' Clubs with Type 1 Diabetes?

[JulieWent]

I was wondering if anyone has experience with leaving a child with Type 1 Diabetes in one of the Kids' Clubs for a few (like two?) hours? My friends are planning a trip to WDW, and their five year old daughter has T1D. She is on a pump, but she does need to be monitored. Are the counselors able to help in such matters? Any trained medical staff? Anyone have experience?

Julie

(Also posted on Theme Parks Board)

 

[minkydog]

Yikes. I don't think I could do that. Where are the parents going to be for 2 hours? I'd be uncomfortable leaving a non-independent 5yo with strangers who probably know nothing about an insulin pump, nor type 1 diabetes

 

[JulieWent]

Just asking. Looking at the possibility that the parents -- who are extremely responsible and responsive, BTW -- might be able to get a quick dinner out together. Child is very stable; however, all children with T1D need to be able to check their levels and contact parents.

Julie

 

[Maggie'sMom]

I've always been very impressed with the staffs at the kids' clubs. I don't know that any have medical training beyond CPR and first aid, but I wouldn't be surprised if they have had experience with other children who have Type 1 diabetes.

What I might recommend is for the parents to stop by the club sometime before the night that they were wanting to leave their DD and chat with the staff. When we were at the Poly in 2010, the Neverland Club had an open house on at least one of the days we were there. Parents could come with their children to see the club. Kids could make a craft, color, play with some of the toys and games and parents could see what the club had to offer and chat with a couple staff members. It was in the afternoon, before the usual time the club opens. Another option would be to pop in during the normal kids' club hours. Ultimately, the parents need to feel comfortable their daughter is safe while attending the club, and meeting the CMs who work in the club might be the best way for them to gauge whether or not they want to let their daughter attend.

 

[WheeledTraveler]

I would say that the clubs probably won't fit what they're looking for. My impression is that CMs working in them have basic childcare training/experience, but nothing past probably First Aid and CPR training as far as medical experience goes. That said, they should ring and ask because I suspect it's a common enough question that they'll be able to get an accurate answer.

They probably have a better chance of getting the level of care she needs by getting an in-room babysitting service such as Fairy Godmothers.

 

[Jen_in_NH]

My son is 5, and has T1D. I'm not sure whether I would leave him with the kid's clubs yet. I'd have to be very comfortable with his blood sugars during the trip. On our last 2 trips, his numbers were all over the place from increased exercise, changes in diet, and the heat. I would definitely not expect the staff to deal with his diabetes or with his pump, but I'd want to make completely sure they understood when they needed to call us to come back for him.

He can check his own sugar, and knows how to bolus himself, but does not know how to figure out how many carbs he's eating and what to bolus for. I might consider leaving him for a few hours if he'd been relatively stable, had just eaten, was absolutely not going to eat while he was there, and they understood exactly when to call me.