PE/Asthma

[LisaD1]

Hi everyone, have posted this in education but thought I would be brave and post here too as I would like as many opinions as possible!

I'm really angry at my DD's school and wondered if I could get some opinions on what to do next.

2 weeks ago she started having problems breathing during PE, teacher took her to one side got her to breath deeply and calm down and eventually was ok (after 10mins or so). 2 days later she had PE again, told teacher what had happened in previous lesson and was told "I'm sure you'll be fine) different teacher this time. Anyway, DD had same trouble, took herself to one side and deep breathed etc and carried on, not seen by this teacher.

NONE of this was told to me by the school!! Anyway, fast forward several GP visits later and DD has been diagnosed with "excercise induced Asthma" told she may participate in PE but take inhaler if needed.

Today, she has PE with the same teacher that told her she would be fine and during lesson had an attack, tried to calm her breathing but didn't work so took her inhaler.

Teacher then (according to DD aged almost 10 and very sweet natured/never in trouble sort of girl) barks are her that she "doesn't need to take her inhaler, just try to breath normally, everyone gets out of puff in PE" and marches off, no, Are you ok, nothing!

I have called the school and teacher gone for the day but they will discuss tomorrow.

What would you do/expect?

I am considering saying I want this taken to the head and want a written explanation as to why the teacher took this course of action along with a guarantee that this will not happen again and that if they do not provide these 2 things along with an apology to my DD (who hates being in trouble and is finding this new diagnosis difficult to take on board anyway) that I will withdraw her from PE when taught by this teacher and if they ignore that request I will withdraw her from school.

I am just shocked that a teacher felt it appropriate to tell a child not to take something which a GP has told them they need!

Sorry it's long!

So AIBU to make the above demands?

[AKMD]

YANBU but I remember lots of girls in my PE class at school with 'exercise-induced asthma' i.e. they were unfit, attention-seeking and wanted to get out of PE out of sheer laziness. Like with the allergies, the people who have a real problem with asthma while exercising are outweighed by the people who are using it as a convenient excuse.

Will probably get flamed for saying that but I had first-hand experience as a rather self-concious teenager who hated PE and would frequently 'need to use her inhaler' to have a cool-down break

[Mongolia]

I think it has to be discussed with the teacher, I would go and talk to the head teacher and make a fuss about why she was not allowed to use her inhaler.

hopefully that would sort the problem.

As for PE. Ask your DD to have a puff half an hour before the PE class.

[LisaD1]

AKMD - I do appreciate what you're saying but that is definitely not the case here. DD isn't a naturally sporty girl but she's in several of the teams (netball/hocket etc) and is fairly fit. She also knows that there is NO WAY she would get away with that crap with me (I'm a strict mum and have no problem with strict teachers but this seems to have gone way beyond strict.

Mongolia: Thanks, the only reason I haven't suggested her doing that is because it's a very new diagnosis, one we're hoping has another trigger (waiting to see an asthma nurse next month) and I really don't want her to become too reliant on it if it can be managed. I will suggest it though and see if it helps. Thanks

[Mongolia]

AKMD. I was one of those girls who regularly got so out of breath at PE that in ocassion I fainted. My teacher thought I was faking it, keep pressing me and ridiculised me in fron of the class. And for some strange reason it was a pattern that repeated teacher after teacher.

Now, that I have got a better knowledge and understanding of asthma I have confirmed what I believed suspected all the time, that some of my PE instructors were ignorant idiots. One of them had one of my classmates was once taken by ambulance after he spent 20 minutes bullying her because she was out of breath and forcing her to continue by shouting at her constantly in front of all the class... TBH I don't know how some people are allowed to teach, the people from the ambulance decided to take her, while the teacher insisted all the time she was faking it.

I still think about it and my blood boils... and it was more than 20 years ago.

[Mongolia]

She is not going to get addicted. But is the usual advice if she is having problems through exercise. It does helps, and she may end up using it less than if she let the problem develop.

[bellissima]

I've replied on your thread in education. YANBU.

[LisaD1]

Mongolia: Thanks again, I didn't mean addicted as such, I mean reliant as in using it as a bit of a crutch iykwim? But yes, I think you could well be right and we'll give that a try.

Thanks Bellisima too.

[AKMD]

LisaD and Mongolia, sorry if my post came across as saying your DD/you are/were faking, that wasn't my intention at all. I was just pointing out that a lot of teenagers will do anything to get out of PE, including exploiting extremely mild asthma, so it can be hard for the teacher to know who is having real trouble and who is being lazy, so the teacher here may just need the extra info from someone other than the DD so that she knows that this is for real.

Absolutely YANBU BTW.

[LisaD1]

AKMD: I didn't think you were saying that, just thought you were giving a different view point. The teacher has had the details in writing, seems this particular teacher isn't keen on non-sporty kids! He'll be even less keen on the mother's of non-sporty, asthmatic kids after I've been to the school tomorrow

[thirtysomething]

YANBU but i just wonder why you hadn't informed the school in writing about her needing the inhaler etc? At DD's primary school children aren't allowed any medication including inhalers at school without parents filling out an authorisation etc - it's to cover the school's backs and also to prevent children mixing up/swapping medication etc.

[LisaD1]

Hi thirtysomething: Sorry, I didn't state in my OP but I HAVE informed the school in writing and even went into the school office the first day she took it in. The inhaler is also marked with her name on it, not sure what more I can/should need to do?

[thirtysomething]

oh well in that case you've been very clear and given them all the information they need - YADNBU and the school should take the teacher's behaviour very seriously

[dickndolly]

our boy of 3.5 years has been on brown inhaler for 1 year and his poo smells really stale?is this aside effect of clenil modulite?
Please if any one is, or has experienced this smelly poo with this inhaler,then lets talk poo!!

[pointydog]

I would talk to the head, ask for a meeting if preferred. I'd say I was concerned that school staff weren't knowledgeable enough about asthma and I'd make clear the sort of distress and possible harm that this attitude can cause. I'd ask about staff training.

I wouldn't want written guarantees and apologies and I wouldn't issue threats. I'd want staff properly trained about a common health issue and I would expect the head to want the same.

[Panzee]

I am a teacher. If an inhaler is provided, I don't think twice about letting someone use it if they ask for it. The way I see it, it doesn't do any harm even if they are using it as a crutch or an excuse to take a break (not that I'm saying your daughter does!). And if I denied it then what could happen?


The teachers need asthma training.

[confuddledDOTcom]

This thread is old so I'm sure it's been sorted.

D&D my daughter has asthma and constipation so not sure where constipation ends and asthma begins, I'm afraid. Post in children's health and you might get more useful answers.