A question about school

[Weegiemum]

My dd2 has Perthes disease, a self limiting but potentially very serious hip condition.
It means that for the next year or so she cannot run, jump, hop, skip, or walk for more than 10 mins at a time, and must weight bear as little as possible.

She is 4 and started school on MOnday (Scotland). Before the holidays I had provided the head with all the information about her condition, including the letter from the consultant about non weight bearing activity. When I picked her up on Monday lunchtime, I discovered she had been running around the playground like all the other kids - the teacher didn't know!!!

Obv, I kicked off and get it all sorted. But when I picked her up Tues, the teacher was moaning that they had 'trouble' keeping her sitting down. Of course they do!! She is 4 and can do all these things, its just that she musn't if she is going to avoid surgery.

Shouldn't the schoo be capable of keeping a 4yo sitting? She is a good, compliant kid, but yes, I have trouble as well keeping her sitting. BUt shouldn't the school be able to do that? Its not as if it was a surprise to them!

Wondered about calling the Head, just to ask what the )&&__)^( is going on!

AI being too stroppy? I dont want her having surgery in a year and hip replacement at 30!

[Seuss]

I don't think you're being stroppy - you gave them enough notice. Lunchtime is only an hour - they should be able to keep her occupied enough in that time; lunch, 10min excercise, surely they could find her (and friend) a 'quiet' activity to fill the rest? Like you say, she is only 4!

[vjg13]

I would call the Head Teacher and explain it all again calmly if poss!. My daughter's school does a buddy scheme with yr5/6 and the reception kids and that could be help to the teacher if one of the older ones did reading etc with her and they love the little ones!

[jimjamshaslefttheyurt]

Bloody hell no you're not being stroppy.

I would request a meeting with the head and class teacher. Take clear official information with you so that they understand the consequences if she runs around too much. She is in their care they need to keep her safe.

[PheasantPlucker]

My sister's ds1 had perthes a few years back. She had the same situtaion as you with school. But once she had gone into school to see the Head and explain the potential severity of the problem things were much better. (altho the downside was they said he was unable to go on a school trip as they could not care for his needs properly......) Nephew was 9 at the time, so older than your dc.

[Weegiemum]

I'm going to see how it goes tomorrow (off today, strike!) and if it hasn't improved will make appointment to see head - probably Tues, as dh could come then too.

Cross mainly as she was at the school nursery for a year and they were able to accomodate (from diagnosis in April), and I gave the school all the info and they promised a support plan. When I hadn't heard anything I emailed the head last week to find out what was happening but got no reply.

We see the consultant again on 11/9 and I think I will ask him to write to the school to explain the serious nature of this condition and the importance of her being off her feet as much as possible.

Just also wanted to say you guys who deal with these things on a daily basis are amazing. This is an 18 month interlude in an otherwise problem free kiddie health thing. You lot who have this as a permanent thing are amazing. I take my hat off to you!

[Weegiemum]

I saw the head at the school gate when I was picking dd2 up today.

She apologised for not having a plan in place, and invited me to come in after school on Tuesday to view the plan and make comments.

Dd2 had a better day today - sat down all through break. I have cut her a deal - if she is good at school, we will go swimming on the way home! (swimming is her fave permitted activity). I am going to check with her teacher every day at pickup, and hopefully we will come home via the pool. I quite like it anyway, and we have to fill up the three hours until dd1 and ds get home anyway.

I can't imagine what it must be like for you lot who are fighting for much more important help.

I think I will ask the consultant to write to the school and outline the esential nature of the resting. he's lovely and I'm sure he will help as much as he can.

[Seuss]

That's good the school are taking it seriously now - good plan with the swimming too. It's still a good idea to get the consultant to write though, incase you get the odd bright spark who thinks it's not serious.

Think everyone has their own battles to fight, which is why this site is so good because at least we can help each other with some of them!