What would you give priority to. Health or Studies?
By jsmalong
@jsmalong (109)
December 29, 2011 9:05am CST
I have a daughter aged 12 years old who is afflicted with type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes at the age of 2 years. This means that she gets twice daily injections of insulin for life as there are no known successful cure yet. Since diabetics have an impaired immune system, she is prone to getting sick quite often (like cough, cold, fever). Most days she is lacking of energy, interest and motivation to go to school. She cannot always participate in the school's activities like exercise, dance, sports, or anything that requires physical activities, especially strenuous ones and done under the sun. She is also susceptible to having fluctuations of her blood sugar (high and low)which are considered medical emergencies. There are times she would rather quit school altogether. Inspite of her health condition, we are adamant that she gets an education. All these and more are affecting her school attendance and performance in school. Many times she goes to school late and incurs absences at least once a week. I regularly talk to the Principal and teachers who were always understanding and supportive. If you are a parent of a child with diabetes, what would be your priority? Health or Studies? And how would you balance the two? Appreciate your input.
1 person likes this
6 responses
@aleic27 (161)
• Philippines
29 Dec 11
Sorry to hear that, but I admire your courage to support her studies.
Have you tried homeschooling? It might be another best educational option for your daughter (and might be my choice if I also has a girl like yours.) By homeschooling, your child don't need to be exposed with tiring extracurricular activities and will only need to study at home three hours a day.
About your question, health and studies have to be equally prioritized. Of course you need to study to have a better future later on, but if you constantly endanger yourself then you might not giving your full potential at all.
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@aleic27 (161)
• Philippines
30 Dec 11
I don't think homeschooling, even in the Philippines is expensive. Months ago, I was chatting with a homeschooled Filipino student; she was in 2nd year highschool and she said her parents only pays P3,000 per month for her studies. She also said she never had a hard time with her studies because of her teacher.
3,000 pesos might sound expensive but you don't need to buy the kid new school uniforms, give her books (some homeschools provide the books themselves), send her money for baon, transportation fees and other school materials for projects, assignments and maybe field trips and foundation day activities; not to mention facing the probability of class suspension due to storms. Weight that with a normal school tuition that probably costs P22,000 annually but with these extra expenses and problems. I also read that homeschooled kids also answer periodical exams and have the same schooling duration like traditional students. In addition, the internet is a big help for kids nowadays.
If you have decided to homeschool your kid then maybe you should try Catholic Filipino Academy. I'm not forcing you to homeschool your kid if you don't want to but think of it as an option considering your kid's health condition.
@jsmalong (109)
•
29 Dec 11
Thank you for your sentiments. Years ago, I heard also of this so-called homeschooling or "distant learning" here in the Philippines. I have not done any research yet on this matter but I believe this is quite expensive. I wish we have the same privileges and options available like in other countries. For the time being, We will do our best to balance health and school by managing her condition to the best we can.
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@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
2 Jan 12
Although this is obviously a very difficult situation, I do not think you have to choose between the two. I'm not sure where you live but there should be some other options in place. FOr one have you considered home schooling your daughter? I had to homeschool my son because of his asthma. You may also hire a private tutor. Many school districts also have what they call "home bound" studies. These are carried out by a certified teacher who comes like one time a week to tutor, assess and give more lessons to the student. It's a very individualized program. You do not have to put her health at risk for her to learn, nor do you have to put her education at risk for her to live! There are different solutions!
@macdingolinger (10386)
• United States
7 Jan 12
It is very helpful for the school to be understanding. I have seen the times when they were not! Hopefully they will continue to work with her and you'll continue to see progress!
@jsmalong (109)
•
7 Jan 12
I am glad that your son has a very conducive learning environment at home which is affordable where you live. I believe that the learning processes of my daughter does not warrant her to home schooling at this time. However, if the need arises in the future, I will exhaust all possible options and solutions which you and our co-mylotters have suggested. For the meantime, for as long as the current school favors us with their utmost understanding and support, we continue to remain ever vigilant and supportive of her quest for learning.
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@longbangod (1785)
• Philippines
29 Dec 11
Sad to hear about the condition of your child. I hope and pray that she could get over it, I still believe that when there is life there is hope, so even if it seems
hopeless, if we really sincerely ask for God's help, everything will be possible.
As to your question, basically health is more important than anything else, in this case against studies, obviously because studies would be useless if we're not in good health. Surely, we won't finish or we won't survive school if we're unhealthy.
@alberello (4752)
• Italy
31 Dec 11
Dear friend, first of all I'm really sorry that your daughter is suffering from this disease. I would give all my support to help you.
To answer your question, I without a doubt, I would give priority to health.
From what I understood the teachers and the headmaster of the school where your daughter is studying are very understanding, so I think they should not be problems if the child: delays entry to school, takes a few days of absence or might not observe the class because he has to go to the doctor.
I know it is very difficult, but as I said I would give top priority to the health of your baby
My best wishes for a happy new year!
@lajonez (477)
• Poland
29 Dec 11
in Poland where i live i had also health problems but not diabetism but teachers of my school were coming to my house to give me lessons, maybe in school of your daughter also could be something like this... i had much less hours just 14 and at school they had 30 but i was going faster with material because it's easier for teacher to make class just with 1 student. All of those classes wa paid by goverment, and i hlped me a lot, because back then i couldn't go to school.
I hope you'll find some good solution for this situation... Good luck!
@jsmalong (109)
•
29 Dec 11
I am happy for you that you are given that privilege in your country. I am from a developing country and we do not have that kind of privilege or assistance. Education here is very expensive especially if you go to a private or exclusive schools. Sad to say that there are no government or school programs in place extending additional help to sick school children pursue education. Thank you for your input and wish you the best.
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@enelym001 (8322)
• Philippines
29 Dec 11
I think you can opt to a Home Study. A brother of a friend's friend, 'though not ill, has been pulled out to school and was taught by his mom and sister at Home only to avoid bullying at school. It was a little expensive but he has all the time to learn at home and my friend says the kid's doing good and learning. I think it's just up to the one who will tutor him.
For me education is important but you also need to think about her condition. SHe can;t do all those activities that needs physical participation. So I hope you can think about the option I have told you so your child will still be studying despite not going to school anymore.
