Twinkle Toe Shoes cause epileptic seizures?

[luvmy3]

How is not being able to wear a particular item while at school causing a child to suffer?

Children with medical problems are most likely exposed to other students throughout the day but that is not the same as being with the same students for 6 1/2 hours.

Ask the pp who I quoted, she used the word suffer, my response was to her.

As far as the amount of time, it doesn't matter, if you are banning something and your reason is the health and safety of a student it shouldn't matter what amount of time a student is exposed to the danger. And AFAIK, there is no evidence saying that these particular shoes DO cause seizures in 5 minutes of first sight or 5 hours. If the school isnt using scientific data from a study of these shoes to determine that they pose a risk, and they are purely assuming that they will eventually cause a seizure, it would seem pretty irresponsible of them to only protect the student in the classroom, not the rest of the school, making their argument weak at best.

 

[mickeysgal]

Calling customer service of a company that is trying to sell a product and asking them whether their product causes seizures holds about the same amount of credibility as the tobacco companies claiming that their cigarettes didn't cause cancer.

Are there any seizure or migrane foundations/websites that would have such researched information?

My migraines are caused by the craziest little things...a glare on a computer screen, filtered light in a restaurant, walking to the mailbox in too bright of sunlight. I always have my sunglasses with me. They're on my eyes or on the top of the head...morning to night. My eyes are that sensitive and my headaches and migranes trigger easy.

I agree there should be a school wide ban, not just an individual ban, and I'll bet that's right around the corner to being announced. It appears that someone in the classroom is being affected by it. Change the shoes. At a minimum they're highly distracting and unnecessary in a classroom.

And while I'm on my soapbox, to all you parents that think those squeaky shoes are adorable on little Suzy. They're not. They're irritating beyond belief.

 

[Magpie]

I'm not saying her seizure was not caused by your daughter's sneakers, but I think it was horrible of her to say that it was your daughter's sneakers. Considering she was known to have "at least 3 grand mal seizures a week" regardless of the precautions being taken, did she need to make you and your daughter feel guilty about this one? Obviously I see things from a different perspective than others.

Wait... what? Are you saying a woman who is in the process of dropping to the floor, who barely manages to gasp out "shoes" just before she hits the ground, is being HORRIBLE?

I suppose you'd have her writhing around on the floor in the grip of a grand mal seizure, saying, "No, no, you mustn't feel guilty, sweetie. I'm sure it wasn't the shoes. After all, what could I possibly know about my own condition?"

 

[Kennywife]

I looked at the shoes in question. The lights on the shoes blink and in some epileptics, can cause a problem.

A few years ago, when I was on my honeymoon at WDW, we were headed back to our room at POR and there was a child who was playing with one of those flashy things. Ask any Epileptic how they feel about those things....the majority hate them! At the time, my seizures were bothering me since I'd just gone through the stress of getting married and dealing with my mother, but that's another story.

Anyway, I tried to not look, but it was kind of hard to avoid looking at it. I just had to ride with my eyes closed and I could feel myself getting dizzy and nauseated....a sign of an aura. By the time we got back to the room, I had a seizure.

Now, those flashy things don't bother me as much now. But I don't buy any or would allow one of future children to have one because I know how it can affect others with seizures. Sometimes, you just have to imagine what it would be like to have the shoe on the other foot and see how it would feel.

Anna

 

[DawnCt1]

That's a shame. A little OT but I remember many years ago I was visiting someone in a hospital and I met a patient that was going for surgery to implant electrodes in her brain to help stop seizures. I always wonder how it worked for her and if they offer that treatment for a lot of people who have epilepsy.


I agree with a lot of what you said.

[/B]
What does this have to do with anything? Really?



This is my point. I would send my child to school in whatever I had to if it was going to prevent another child from being sick. BUT- don't make my child the only one that has to comply. See because then I feel you lose credibility and I don't believe the alleged reason. My child shouldn't be the one that is punished so to speak. If there really is a problem then look at the big picture and don't single out one child which is what happened here.

Its a rather clear example of "just because you can, doesn't mean you should". Requiring the rest of the school be subjected to a ban when the issue exists in a particular classroom is over kill.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I looked at the shoes in question. The lights on the shoes blink and in some epileptics, can cause a problem.

I'm always appreciative to have people who can contribute first-hand accounts on these topics. Thank you for your contributions!

The bolded part above includes the word "some." This is where people are balking a little bit about this particular situation. The Epilepsy Foundation, and other research groups have noted a certain range that seems to trigger seizures. Now, even within that range, you get varying percentages. At a certain frequency 95% may be triggered, but at another frequency only 5% may be triggered. It is very hard to pinpoint these triggers, and, research has shown, that other factors may need to be present for a seizure to occur.

As I said, I work in an industry (traffic signals) that is constantly having to work through issues dealing with epilepsy, etc. We have products that meet the criteria for the Epilepsy Foundation, but still probably trigger seizures/migraines in a subset of people. So, at that point, what is more important? The inherent safety of the 1000's of drivers who pass through an intersection on a given day, or the 1 or 2 people who may suffer a migraine because of the type of flasher used?

If the manufacturer of the shoes can prove that the flash rate of these sneakers falls outside of these parameters, as laid out by the professionals in the field of epilepsy, I'm not sure what else can be done? If there isn't even a clear cut consensus in the field about how and why these triggers work, should instant bans be placed on shirts of varying colors, referee uniforms with stripes, light up gadgets and gizmos?

The school should be trying to create a good learning environment, and, as I said earlier, I think the school put itself in a spot by making this a medical issue. The shoes, as bright as they are, are a distraction regardless of medical history. They simply should have put them in the same arena as slap bracelets, Silly Bandz, etc. and place a school-wide ban on them because of their distracting nature.

 

[Magpie]

Its a rather clear example of "just because you can, doesn't mean you should". Requiring the rest of the school be subjected to a ban when the issue exists in a particular classroom is over kill.

Obviously, not everyone agrees that it's a "rather clear example".

A better, and non-contentious example would be, "Just because I CAN dye my hair three shades of chartreuse, doesn't mean I should." Or, "Just because I CAN eat pop-tarts for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, doesn't mean I should." Or even, "Just because I CAN turn my backyard fence into a scale replica of the Berlin wall complete with gun turrets, doesn't mean I should." (Even though I really, really want to, and my army captain neighbour says he'd help.)

Pretending this is nothing more than a "rather clear example" and in no way provocative is disingenuous. We already had our fun with this topic in the Baby-Slapping thread.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Obviously, not everyone agrees that it's a "rather clear example".

A better, and non-contentious example would be, "Just because I CAN dye my hair three shades of chartreuse, doesn't mean I should." Or, "Just because I CAN eat pop-tarts for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, doesn't mean I should." Or even, "Just because I CAN turn my backyard fence into a scale replica of the Berlin wall complete with gun turrets, doesn't mean I should." (Even though I really, really want to, and my army captain neighbour says he'd help.)

Pretending this is nothing more than a "rather clear example" and in no way provocative is disingenuous. We already had our fun with this topic in the Baby-Slapping thread.

I will always jump on the opportunity to visit Canada, but having the opportunity to see something like this would make the trip even better. I say you give it a go and make it a tourist attraction!

 

[luvmy3]

OP, your solution is easy. Have your dd wear her shoes, she can tape over the lights when she is in the classroom. When she steps out and is in the hall or any other space in the school shared with other classes at the same time, she can leave the tape off. When she steps back into a class with her class, she can tape them back up. Seems like a reasonable thing, and for those who say it would take too much time away from class instruction, theres only one thing to do, ban them for everyone

 

[MickeyMomOfThree]

Calling customer service of a company that is trying to sell a product and asking them whether their product causes seizures holds about the same amount of credibility as the tobacco companies claiming that their cigarettes didn't cause cancer.

Are there any seizure or migrane foundations/websites that would have such researched information?

My migraines are caused by the craziest little things...a glare on a computer screen, filtered light in a restaurant, walking to the mailbox in too bright of sunlight. I always have my sunglasses with me. They're on my eyes or on the top of the head...morning to night. My eyes are that sensitive and my headaches and migranes trigger easy.

I agree there should be a school wide ban, not just an individual ban, and I'll bet that's right around the corner to being announced. It appears that someone in the classroom is being affected by it. Change the shoes. At a minimum they're highly distracting and unnecessary in a classroom.

And while I'm on my soapbox, to all you parents that think those squeaky shoes are adorable on little Suzy. They're not. They're irritating beyond belief.

I have to agree and disagree. I agree migranes can be brought on by anythin. I have only had a couple in mmy life but I come from a family who gets them severaly, especially my grandma. She has been hospitalized many times because when she gets a severe one it resembles a stroke and while she in her gut knows it is not, the doctors have told her to not ever assume it isn't cause that one time it could be (kind of like her body crying wolf if you will.) But her 2 biggest triggers are flashing lights and the color red. Red for her is the worst. Our Macy's has red carpet and she can't go in there, it hits almost in an instant. One time on vacation our car broke down near Vegas and the whole hotel was red (and BTW had flashing lights.) We had to stay cause it was a Sunday and they couldn't fix the car till the next day. She had to go in with us leading her in eyes closed and stay in the room totally dark and just sit, in the dark to not get sick. Unfortunately in the morning when the sun came out it was light enough that the red got to her and she wound up getting one anyway, thankfully it wasn't too bad and we got her out of there as soon as we could. So I don't for a minute question that weird things can trigger a migrane and I assune the same for seisures.

I disagree though, I think these shoes are adorable and that is why I got them for my DD. However, as I said a few pages back if we are asked not to wear them at school she won't, but she will still wear them out till they are worn out. Lucky for me, they didn't bother my grandma cause she will be in Disney with us and DD8 can't wait to wear them there.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Its a rather clear example of "just because you can, doesn't mean you should". Requiring the rest of the school be subjected to a ban when the issue exists in a particular classroom is over kill.

No need to roll your eyes. It is not a clear example and is comparing apples to oranges. It has no place in this debate. Besides- I thought posting about politics was banned?

 

[Mouse House Mama]

Obviously, not everyone agrees that it's a "rather clear example".

A better, and non-contentious example would be, "Just because I CAN dye my hair three shades of chartreuse, doesn't mean I should." Or, "Just because I CAN eat pop-tarts for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, doesn't mean I should." Or even, "Just because I CAN turn my backyard fence into a scale replica of the Berlin wall complete with gun turrets, doesn't mean I should." (Even though I really, really want to, and my army captain neighbour says he'd help.)
Pretending this is nothing more than a "rather clear example" and in no way provocative is disingenuous. We already had our fun with this topic in the Baby-Slapping thread.

If you do this then you have to let us come play! My kids would love that!

 

[Wishing on a star]

double posted ?????

 

[Wishing on a star]

Its a rather clear example of "just because you can, doesn't mean you should". Requiring the rest of the school be subjected to a ban when the issue exists in a particular classroom is over kill.

NO...
That's baloney....
I do not see this to be 'I can, so I will' issue at all....
It is an issue of questioning whether there is a bona-fide problem to begin with.
If there is a bona-fide problem, then without any doubt, it exists in the entire school.

Sorry, but I have to disagree.
I find that POV to be a bit skewed.

The issue clearly exists in the entire school.
Even in elementary, a HUGE part of the school day is spent outside of ones home classroom.
So, unless you are you advocating that this child be restricted to this one classroom? And I don't believe that would be legal, at all.

I don't find that to be a 'reasonable' solution.
It would be far more reasonable to have a system wide, school dress code, ban on a type of clothing that many would agree is distracting anyhow.

 

[ajk912]

My first grader has those shoes and the way they light up is annoying. They do a light twice, then light three times sequence or something. I wasn't expecting it to be as distracting as it was. She wore them to school quite a bit in kindergarten (we bought them in March), not sure if they still fit for this year. But yeah, I can see why she's asked not to wear them.

Oh, and flashing lights do cause seizures..in fact I had seizures before and one of the tests the docs do is flashing lights at you to try to bring on a seizure.

 

[C.Ann]

I'm hoping the OP will make the effort to talk to the school officials and find out exactly why this appears to have pertained only to her DD's class - and then return to this thread to post the answer..

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Easier to quote myself than typing it all out again..

OP? Have you spoken to the school officials yet?

 

[PrincessMomto2]

----------------------------------------

Easier to quote myself than typing it all out again..

OP? Have you spoken to the school officials yet?

I agree C.Ann it will be interesting to see what the school officials have to say about it. Please do update us!

 

[tiggger1]

OP, is your nurse even a "real nurse"? I know some schools do not require registered nurses just reg people who take a first aid class.. for all we know the "nurse" might know someone who has seizures and headaches and know that some lights can cause seizures and panicked...

I have been reading this since it started and I am torn. My daughter has these shoes and they are not that bright. She wore them all last year to school. So did most of the girls in her class. Teacher never complained, principal told her they were cool and she wanted a pair.

If in deed they are causing a medical issue then I would want to see it in writing from the doctor. We had an issue when I worked at a special needs summer camp where a parent claimed that her daughter would have grand Mal seizures do to the use of the microwaves. At the open house she freaked out because her the same building as a microwave just in case it got turned on...She also was not allowed to eat anything microwaved. We had to move the microwave out of the kitchen to the shed. it was a PITA having to run from the kitchen to the shed whenever we needed to reheat a kids food especially in the rain. The last day of camp was parents day and dad showed up without mom( they were divorced) and he overheard another staff person talking about how the microwave could be brought back next week and told us that " his ex-wife was a nutcase and that dd had only had only had 1 seizure (due to a fever) and had NEVER had a seizure due to microwaves but mom heard about it could possibly happen so she banned them jic

 

[daughtersrus]

If in deed they are causing a medical issue then I would want to see it in writing from the doctor.

Who's doctor? HIPPA laws would prevent that.

 

[tiggger1]

Who's doctor? HIPPA laws would prevent that.

I understand the law..but A doctor can still write something stating that "the lights from the shoes could cause seizure. doesnt have to be the child's doctor

My daughter had to get a note from her ped stating the she is highly allergic to bug bite before her school would let her take any medicine at school..