This update is looong over due and for that apologize. Emotionally, I haven't been able to process it all and then life just got busy with summer. So here's an update from the bullying incident at school.
- At Nick's request, his peanut-free table was moved further away from the other tables and closest to the cafeteria monitor's desk.
- The incident was treated as a life-threatening incident. The child was given a day of in-school suspension. Code of conduct calls for 3 days of out-of-school suspension, but given the age and that if the child was home they would likely be watching tv, a day staring at walls seemed more appropriate.
- Nick's 504 plan was adapted so he could carry and self-administer his epi-pen and asthma medicine. Everyone was very accommodating and let me decide what would be best. The pediatrician doesn't usually write self-carry scripts (NY is the only state that doesn't have a self-carry law for epinephrine) for 8 year olds, but felt he was mature enough to handle this.
- This is the coolest thing of all (of course, I'm probably completely biased). Watch this video.....
Ironically, this video came out near the time of the incident. The first time I saw it, I cried. Ok... I cry every time I watch. The little boy gets me every.time. Could this hit any closer to home? I showed this to Nick and asked him what he thought. His response,'That's exactly how I feel.' <insert silent manic here> Oh my.... he doesn't feel safe at school. I let him lead the way by prompting him with questions. Here's what he told me... 'Mom, kids don't get that peanuts are like a loaded gun to me. They can kill me. (by the way, this is not the cool part of it) I think my friends should see this.'
From that statement, we made an action plan and presented it to the principal. In June, Nick showed 75 of his classmates (his grade level) the video and answered questions for 20 minutes. I can't tell you how proud I am of him. In those 20 minutes, his confidence grew and his friend's gained a greater appreciation of his allergy. I was amazed at how insightful and thoughtful 8 year olds are. Nick has asked to talk to the WHOLE school during their anti-bullying assembly at the beginning of the year.
So... we start school in 4 weeks. I'm on heightened alert all the time, especially since the death of 13 year old last week after she took one bite from a rice krispie treat. We've met with the new teacher. I've been more assertive with my requests about a peanut free classroom and reminders being sent home with holiday party information. I've signed up for webinars about food allergies and bullying. I'm on a small mission (as much as time allows) to find out why NY doesn't have a self carry law. And Nick... well, he's pretty resilient. He just keeps leading the life of an 8 year old boy.
