Type 1 Diabetic Child and Kids Club?

[Steamboat Girlie]

Has anyone every dropped their kids at the Kids Clubs while on an insulin pump?
I was thinking of having a meal just me and my husband at Jiko and leaving the kids at Simba's Cub House. My youngest (age 4) is on an insulin pump. I was thinking my husband or I could just run over to the club to give the insulin for the meal. Has anyone ever done this? I am wondering if it is worth it. Maybe I'll be to nervous leaving him and won't even enjoy my meal! Would love to hear from other parents with kids on pumps.

 

[jmartinez1895]

My child doesn't have a pump, but he has many medical needs and I have a hard time letting him do things on his own, but I try to push myself to let him try new things and he often enjoys whatever it is. I think that what you suggested should be fine, but if you ruin your dinner worrying then no, it's not worth it. If you can let yourself relax a bit then it might be good for the both of you. You and your husband deserve a little bit of alone time and kids need breaks form there parents as well.

 

[Chloesmom]

My DD is 11 and on a pump. 3 years ago we wanted to drop her at Simbas also and we were told uh.. no...Of course it was nicer than that but basically they cant have any child there that would need any individual care. Now this may have changed in the past 3 years so you may want to call and ask. There is also in room babysitting which may work for you too. I think its called Fairy Godmothers but not 100% sure. You could describe your situation and see if they dont have someone who is trained or familiar with type 1s.

 

[livndisney]

My DD is 11 and on a pump. 3 years ago we wanted to drop her at Simbas also and we were told uh.. no...Of course it was nicer than that but basically they cant have any child there that would need any individual care. Now this may have changed in the past 3 years so you may want to call and ask. There is also in room babysitting which may work for you too. I think its called Fairy Godmothers but not 100% sure. You could describe your situation and see if they dont have someone who is trained or familiar with type 1s.

We were basically told the same thing at the Cub's den at WL last December. They were not staffed to handle children that needed extra attention.

 

[SueM in MN]

We were basically told the same thing at the Cub's den at WL last December. They were not staffed to handle children that needed extra attention.

Actually - that’s not legal according to the ADA.
If you want to have your child there, they do need to at least try to make some reasonable accommodations for the needs related to the disability.
They do not need to make accommodations that would require extra staff or them to do any medical care. But, there may be some accommodations that are reasonable and would not be difficult to do. For example, a toddler with diabetes would not be able to manage their own care and may not be able to tell anyone if they have a problem. But an older child (school age) may be able to manage their own care and would need no extra help than any other child their age.
Reasonable accommodations might include a parent coming to check blood sugar or operate the pump and be in the resort and easily reachable by phone. That may be workable for an older or very stable child, but may not work at all for a 4 yr old.

You might decide that it’s not worth the trouble/worry to try to arrange something. Fairy Godmothers might be a good option.
Here’s a recent thread on the Family Board about Babysitters that includes Fairy Godmothers and Kids’ Nite Out.

 

[livndisney]

Actually - that’s not legal according to the ADA.
If you want to have your child there, they do need to at least try to make some reasonable accommodations for the needs related to the disability.
They do not need to make accommodations that would require extra staff or them to do any medical care. But, there may be some accommodations that are reasonable and would not be difficult to do. For example, a toddler with diabetes would not be able to manage their own care and may not be able to tell anyone if they have a problem. But an older child (school age) may be able to manage their own care and would need no extra help than any other child their age.
Reasonable accommodations might include a parent coming to check blood sugar or operate the pump and be in the resort and easily reachable by phone. That may be workable for an older or very stable child, but may not work at all for a 4 yr old.

You might decide that it’s not worth the trouble/worry to try to arrange something. Fairy Godmothers might be a good option.
Here’s a recent thread on the Family Board about Babysitters that includes Fairy Godmothers and Kids’ Nite Out.

I never said it was legal. I was just relaying my experience.

 

[SueM in MN]

I never said it was legal. I was just relaying my experience.

Ok, I never said that you said it was legal.
I was just pointed out to people that it is not. I only quoted your response because it set up the answer I was giving.

 

[livndisney]

Actually - that’s not legal according to the ADA.
If you want to have your child there, they do need to at least try to make some reasonable accommodations for the needs related to the disability.
They do not need to make accommodations that would require extra staff or them to do any medical care. But, there may be some accommodations that are reasonable and would not be difficult to do. For example, a toddler with diabetes would not be able to manage their own care and may not be able to tell anyone if they have a problem. But an older child (school age) may be able to manage their own care and would need no extra help than any other child their age.
Reasonable accommodations might include a parent coming to check blood sugar or operate the pump and be in the resort and easily reachable by phone. That may be workable for an older or very stable child, but may not work at all for a 4 yr old.
And
You might decide that it’s not worth the trouble/worry to try to arrange something. Fairy Godmothers might be a good option.
Here’s a recent thread on the Family Board about Babysitters that includes Fairy Godmothers and Kids’ Nite Out.

Sue presents a good point. Legally, my child had the right to be there. However after I spoke with the CM's that day, there was no way I would have left my child. (Just my opinion). It was clear they did not want to care for my child.

On the other hand, I have read very good reviews of Kids Nite out. They even have a place on the reservation request form for Allergies, Special Needs and Medical Concerns.

 

[SueM in MN]

Sue presents a good point. Legally, my child had the right to be there. However after I spoke with the CM's that day, there was no way I would have left my child. (Just my opinion). It was clear they did not want to care for my child.

On the other hand, I have read very good reviews of Kids Nite out. They even have a place on the reservation request form for Allergies, Special Needs and Medical Concerns.

I agree.
Parent ‘radar’ is usually a very good indicator of whether or not you want to do something.

We actually sent our daughter to a whole different elementary school than the one for our neighborhood. Even though legally they were obligated to make accommodations for her, we could tell from talking to the principal that he did not want her there. Our whole experience at that school would have been one fight after another.

Sometimes, you need to decide if it’s worth fighting for or not. And in the case of staff saying they could not help, I would agree with livndisney that it would probably just make for an uncomfortable evening for the parents.

If you were talking about an older child who could care for their own needs, I would probably fight for accommodations if the child wanted to stay there.
But, a little kid, no.

 

[Chloesmom]

Sue presents a good point. Legally, my child had the right to be there. However after I spoke with the CM's that day, there was no way I would have left my child. (Just my opinion). It was clear they did not want to care for my child.

On the other hand, I have read very good reviews of Kids Nite out. They even have a place on the reservation request form for Allergies, Special Needs and Medical Concerns.

Exactly.. no way would I leave my DD someplace that didnt want her. When she was diagnosed she was enrolled in the YMCA summer camp for the whole summer. She was in the hospital for 4 days and then we went to Disney for 6 days. When we arrived back home after missing basically a week of camp there was a check in my mailbox refunding my paid fees with a note basically saying " we dont want her". I know it wasnt legal.. but no way would I leave her someplace where I didnt think her diabetes would get priority in her care. Now that she is 11 and very capable of doing anything she needs it would be a different story.

 

[Talking Hands]

This thread makes me so sad. Kids with diabetes deserve to enjoy the same things other kids enjoy including the kids clubs. Are they the same way with kids that might need the epi-pen?
The other day I was at Dunkin Donuts when a young girl and her grandmother came in. They got their food and sat down. The girl, about 7, pulled out her meter and proceeded to test her sugar before having her donut and diet soda. She looked a little hesitant since they were at the next table and I could see what she was doing but I just told her to go ahead that I am diabetic too and have to do the same thing. Promoting independence in children with chronic ailments is so important and going to the Kids Club would be good for them as long as parents were close enough to be called if needed.

 

[livndisney]

This thread makes me so sad. Kids with diabetes deserve to enjoy the same things other kids enjoy including the kids clubs. Are they the same way with kids that might need the epi-pen?
The other day I was at Dunkin Donuts when a young girl and her grandmother came in. They got their food and sat down. The girl, about 7, pulled out her meter and proceeded to test her sugar before having her donut and diet soda. She looked a little hesitant since they were at the next table and I could see what she was doing but I just told her to go ahead that I am diabetic too and have to do the same thing. Promoting independence in children with chronic ailments is so important and going to the Kids Club would be good for them as long as parents were close enough to be called if needed.

Kids with any disability deserve to enjoy the same things as other kids.
I mentioned several special needs to the Cm's I spoke to. I was told they treated all "special needs" in the same way. Not that that helps, but basically the sense I got was they did not want to "deal" with anything "extra".

 

[Belle4mygrl]

How long has your little one been on the pump? How far away would you be? That would factor in for me.

My 5 year old is on injections. She can test, dial up insulin, and give it but she doesn't know how to count carbs. She was dx a little over a year ago and I am not comfortable leaving her yet.

 

[ReneeQ]

I am on an insulin pump myself, and have often taken my (non-diabetic) nephew to the kids clubs, so I don't have your situation, BUT have some possible suggestions.

Find out what time they serve dinner (I want to say it's 6 pm), and make your kid's club reservation for around that time. That way you would be there when the food is served, you could count the carbs, and give your child the necessary bolus. You could even slightly under-bolus, to avoid a low. You and DH go to dinner for a few hours, then pick up the kids, and check sugar, and re-bolus, if needed.

OR you and DH go to a later dinner (7:30 pm), and take kids to the club AFTER dinner has been served there. You could feed them at the food court yourselves before you and DH go out. If kids aren't in the club when dinner is served, they won't know about it, and won't feel left out. Last time I checked, they just serve them kid's meals from the food courts, so they're not missing anything special.

Good luck with your decision!