To think that Type 1 diabetics should have more support in the workplace?

[rollonretirementfgs]

I've recently been experiencing hypo unawareness. I'm a teacher of a practical subject and have on a few occasions my blood sugar has dropped so suddenly that I've had to ask my technician to step in until I'm recovered.
I've been told that this is not to happen again, the technician should not step in if I'm unwell. I should "follow procedures like any other teacher than feels unwell" but it's not the same as having a headache or feeling generally unwell, it's a lack of oxygen to the brain. Sometimes I can't speak, let alone lead a class of 20 kids.
Should I expect more support than a non diabetic teacher? It is, after all, a disability.

[FlowerBarrow]

I am not a teacher but surely it should be treated the same as any long term health condition? I wonder if a teacher with epilepsy would be expected to carry on teaching and make sure it doesn’t happen again? 🙄
Can you speak to your union or head teacher

[Toddlerteaplease]

That's ridiculous! How are you supposed to ask for help if it's so sudden?

[TinyYellow]

Diabetics of both types should receive the support they need in the workplace.

The support you receive should enable you to do your job, not take over and do it for you. A technician doesn’t sound like it’s in their job description to unexpectedly cover classes.

If this is happening regularly then you probably need OT advice or something. You shouldn’t necessarily have to do exactly the same as any other teacher that feels unwell, especially if you’re incapable of that in the moment, but surely you can see that a teacher who regularly becomes incapable of teaching temporarily is a problem?

[PotatoFan]

I think it’s better for you to manage or improve your hypo unawareness rather than expect adjustments for that.

Some adjustments eg being able to test bg and eat glucose tablets if hypo are reasonable. But there’s also duty on your part.

If you have developed hypo unawareness then you have to immediately report this to the DVLA if you drive and you will lose your driving licence until you can prove you’ve regained full hypo awareness.

To regain awareness you should also set the low alarms on your CGM for a higher number, at least over 5 but as near 6 as it will let you go, to ensure you treat before you go low to prevent hypos and regain the awareness.

Thats why I’d suggest it’s more your responsibility to prevent hypos than to just expect them to make more adjustments. But of course some adjustments alongside to allow you to eat glucose tablets is reasonable .

[TheForgetfulCat]

Well what do the procedures say a teacher who is suddenly incapacitated should do? Presumably the analogy might be suddenly being sick? You may be fine before and after but you certainly aren’t able to lead a class in the moment.
I’d expect the procedure to say that the nearest adult who can safely take charge of the kids should do so while another teacher is called in. What do they suggest as the alternative?

[Hellogoodbyehello4321]

Fellow T1 diabetic. This sounds awful. I honestly don't believe people understand the severity of being a T1 diabetic and what it entails unless they live with someone who has it - I include my friends and family in that and tbf myself before I was diagnosed.

Tbf I don't know about illnesses I don't have either but I do think ppl don't realise that a T1 can go from fine to life at risk very quickly.

In your shoes, I would ask for an OHS referral and I would also ask why you are being expected to follow the same rules as other teachers when other teachers aren't presumably at risk of falling into a diabetic coma. You are absolutely covered by the Equality Act and they have a duty to make reasonable adjustments. It sounds like they would also benefit from some education on T1 also to support you.

However I do agree with pp that ultimately if this happens a lot, they could argue its not reasonable. The advice about setting your alarm a bit higher to improve hypo awareness is good advice. If you can show you are taking steps to improve your situation, they would have a more difficult time defending it's not reasonable to allow a technician step in occasionally.

[rollonretirementfgs]

@PotatoFan

I think it’s better for you to manage or improve your hypo unawareness rather than expect adjustments for that.

Some adjustments eg being able to test bg and eat glucose tablets if hypo are reasonable. But there’s also duty on your part.

If you have developed hypo unawareness then you have to immediately report this to the DVLA if you drive and you will lose your driving licence until you can prove you’ve regained full hypo awareness.

To regain awareness you should also set the low alarms on your CGM for a higher number, at least over 5 but as near 6 as it will let you go, to ensure you treat before you go low to prevent hypos and regain the awareness.

Thats why I’d suggest it’s more your responsibility to prevent hypos than to just expect them to make more adjustments. But of course some adjustments alongside to allow you to eat glucose tablets is reasonable .

Thank you but I don't need advice on how to manage my condition, The hypo unawareness is due to another condition

[Poppercorn]

@Hellogoodbyehello4321

Fellow T1 diabetic. This sounds awful. I honestly don't believe people understand the severity of being a T1 diabetic and what it entails unless they live with someone who has it - I include my friends and family in that and tbf myself before I was diagnosed.

Tbf I don't know about illnesses I don't have either but I do think ppl don't realise that a T1 can go from fine to life at risk very quickly.

In your shoes, I would ask for an OHS referral and I would also ask why you are being expected to follow the same rules as other teachers when other teachers aren't presumably at risk of falling into a diabetic coma. You are absolutely covered by the Equality Act and they have a duty to make reasonable adjustments. It sounds like they would also benefit from some education on T1 also to support you.

However I do agree with pp that ultimately if this happens a lot, they could argue its not reasonable. The advice about setting your alarm a bit higher to improve hypo awareness is good advice. If you can show you are taking steps to improve your situation, they would have a more difficult time defending it's not reasonable to allow a technician step in occasionally.

Edited

Yes, agree with this.

Also T1 diabetic and surprised by same of the "do better" responses here!

[dammit88]

Can't you ask the technician to instigate the normal procedures for if a teacher is unwell? i.e. inform the headteacher or whatever normal protocol is?

[rollonretirementfgs]

I should have said in my OP that non diabetics need not reply as they really don't seem to understand. "I shouldn't be teaching" was a really helpful response, and "manage your diabetes better" was a cracker. Cheers for that

[dammit88]

I don't really understand what you are wanting to happen - if you are are having a hypo and at risk of diabetic coma you can't teach the class and you need to prioritise you medical needs. The children still need a qualified teacher. So you would inform the head you were unwell - or the technician would - and they would arrange appropriate cover?

[rollonretirementfgs]

@dammit88

I don't really understand what you are wanting to happen - if you are are having a hypo and at risk of diabetic coma you can't teach the class and you need to prioritise you medical needs. The children still need a qualified teacher. So you would inform the head you were unwell - or the technician would - and they would arrange appropriate cover?

They are saying I should call for assistance. A member of SLT will come to my classroom (this can take around 10 minutes) and until then I should stay in charge of 20kids with my brain malfunctioning. When what I COULD do, is step into the prep room, on the back of my classroom, ask the technician to supervise the kids while I chug a bottle of coke. 5 minutes and I'll be back in usually.

[paddyclampofthethirdkind]

I’m a T1 teacher but I don’t identify as disabled. I have good awareness but still experience lows. My school are brilliant about it - staff and students alike. I don’t have a care plan or anything fancy like that but we all have each others back. Another adult comes and sits with the class if needs be and they are v flexible over duties.

Do you have a pump / CGM?

[rollonretirementfgs]

@paddyclampofthethirdkind

I’m a T1 teacher but I don’t identify as disabled. I have good awareness but still experience lows. My school are brilliant about it - staff and students alike. I don’t have a care plan or anything fancy like that but we all have each others back. Another adult comes and sits with the class if needs be and they are v flexible over duties.

Do you have a pump / CGM?

I have a CGM, sometimes I get an alarm, sometimes if it's offline I don't. That's all I want, to have someone close by, like the technician who is always with me, to be allowed to supervise the class for 5 mins

[uneffingbelievable]

Sanctimonious responses on here.

I have been hypo pending aware for 48 of the 51 yrs of being a diabetic. My two episodes of non awareness coincided with an at the time non diagnosed other illness. They were frightening and random.

Too many people think they know what a low BS is but they have no clue how debilitating a BS of less than 3 is. Mine were related to my thyroid going hay wire and my BS would be toddling along at 8 then in the space of 15 mins hit 2.9 my usual sweats and shakes not happening. once that got sorted I slowly became aware again -thank goodness

No real suggestions OP and hope they resolve - it is v scary and v difficult to predict. The tech support stepping in seems sensible as not an every day occurrence and a bit like having a teacher vomit /diarrhoea episode. D they really think you can always predict your norovirus onset!

[PotatoFan]

@rollonretirementfgs

Thank you but I don't need advice on how to manage my condition, The hypo unawareness is due to another condition

Im T1 too so allowed to post my thoughts according to your update. What bg level is your cgm set to alert you at? Using your cgm better is the key to minimising the risk of this scenario happening at all. Do you have a smartwatch, as you can get your bg on there too if you do. Or if you have a spare phone you could set that up on your desk with bg always showing. A combination of more visibility of your bg and better use of alarms will vastly reduce the risk to you and your students here.

[Baseline14]

This is what happens when non medically trained people make medical decisions for other people. Straight to union and occupational health and get it in writing what the plan is. You absolutely cannot teach while in the middle of a hypo and it is a critical emergency that must be corrected immediately. I'm a nurse and remember during my training one of the nurse lecturers had a hypo and she didn't notice but one of the other nurses in the room noticed within minutes that she wasn't making sense and rushed her out of the room and helped her get sorted.

I fear if your hypo unawareness if temporary your HOD whoever has suggested such a stupid solution potentially is going to get their comeuppance as occupational health may want you off on sick leave for the interim.

[dammit88]

@rollonretirementfgs

They are saying I should call for assistance. A member of SLT will come to my classroom (this can take around 10 minutes) and until then I should stay in charge of 20kids with my brain malfunctioning. When what I COULD do, is step into the prep room, on the back of my classroom, ask the technician to supervise the kids while I chug a bottle of coke. 5 minutes and I'll be back in usually.

This is utterly ridiculous. I think its clear they don't understand what the affect on you is. I think your best bet is ask for a referral to occupational health for a proper plan.

[Hellogoodbyehello4321]

Sorry OP, I edited my post to say that the advice about setting your alarms lower was good advice but I can see you have now said you didn't wish for advice on how to manage your condition.

I get it, its a fucking horrible condition and even people close to me barely scratch the surface of understanding it. When I rule the world everyone will get to experience It for a week !

They are out of order suggesting you behave in the same manner as a non insulin dependent teacher. They have a legal duty to make RAs as I said. They are also completely naive and ignorant to think you can teach in a hypo ffs.

I would ask them why they think its appropriate to treat you as a non diabetic. I would also ask them if they realise what a hypo means and ask them to read up on it. And I would ask for an OH and go from there. But ultimately it comes down to reasonableness- once a month , they would have a difficult time saying that's not reasonable, 3 x a day, they probably could make that argument.

But you are not wrong thinking more support should be available. I always joke we should have a funded day off each week because we pretty much do a full time job just keeping ourselves alive every day.

[KAM12345]

As a mother of a T1 child I'm surprised by the ridiculous responses from people of aren't T1. Why would you even respond on something you know nothing about! If you don't have the intelligence to respond with good advice don't respond at all!

T1 is a disability as defined by the disability act 2010( I believe) reasonable adjustments need to be made. Being able to get help when in hypo isn't not unreasonable. Are you part of a union? Maybe they can give you some advice on how to resolve?

[Beepbeep18]

I am type one diabetic and just wanted to stand in solidarity. My work place is amazing with hypo adjustments for me and that’s the way it should be for everyone.

also it’s so so hard to get across that you can be fine, nearly passed out and fine again (or ‘fine again’) all in the space of an hour

[Hellogoodbyehello4321]

Sorry me again. I'm too slow at reading- just read their suggested plan which could take 10 minutes to take action?

I would ask them to put thst in writing and then respond sending them links to NHS about hypo etc. and asking do they realise that they are putting your life at risk. That is ridiculous. I am so angry on your behalf.

Definitely ask for an OHS.

I agree with a pp.... people think they know what low blood sugar is because they haven't eaten for a few hours. So much ignorance around.

[paddyclampofthethirdkind]

Are you able to go on the pump? It is life changing!!!

[rollonretirementfgs]

Yes, thank you all who suggested OH, I will definitely do that. The SLT also need educating that's very true. The amount of people who just think a hypo is feeling a bit dizzy is ridiculous.

[rollonretirementfgs]

@paddyclampofthethirdkind

Are you able to go on the pump? It is life changing!!!

I've never been offered one, my GP is clueless and I haven't seen a hospital consultant for YEARS. They keep saying I'm being referred but it never happens