Well, it is that time of year again: back to school. The shopping, the preparing, the excitement... the forms. While I am pretty sure no parent looks forward to filling out forms, there is one question that always gives me anxiety. When the question is asked on a preschool get to know you form, it looks like this: "Medical information you should know about me..." It sounds like an easy question, right? For most, perhaps so. Not in this situation.
How can I explain my daughters medical history on two lines? Her file at Children's is well over 400 pages long...and I need to summarize that on two lines? Furthermore, what happens when the teacher finds out that she has this extensive history? Will they be intimidated? Will they treat her differently? Will they be afraid to have her in their classroom?
The truth is, her medical history IS scary. She had open heart surgery at 7 days old. She was diagnosed with DiGeorge Syndrome (otherwise known as 22q11 Deletion or VCF) around 11 days old. She had a tracheotomy at two weeks old and feeding tube soon after. She qualified for in-home nursing. She was hospitalized at 7 months old for a flu-like illness and watching a non-pediatric doctor try to place an IV in her tiny body was one of the worst things I have ever seen. Just shy of a year, she had trachea reconstructive surgery and decanulation (the trach came out). But that was not the magical end of everything. She has low calcium levels and, due to a compromised immune system, catches illnesses easier and has a harder time getting over them. She also has low muscle mass and is probably one of the biggest klutzes you have ever met. This last part, I know, is not medical, it is just who she is. She has developmental delays that have lead to weekly PT, OT, and Speech Therapy appointments and has qualified her Early Childhood special education courses. Oh, and did I mention the sensory issues?
Sounds scary, right? What her medical history does NOT show, is that she is the first one of her siblings to give her parents a hug every morning. She cries easily when hurt, and feels bad for others when they are hurt. She tries SO very hard to learn concepts, and she DOES get there... it just takes her a little longer. She gets very anxious and cautious in new situations but positive reinforcements and hugs can go a long way. She is a people-pleaser; and gets upset when she feels she has failed in this. If you raise your voice towards her, she will cry. She will do almost anything...for bubbles or a sticker (something her therapists know well). She is SO excited to start school at her big brother's school that she has brought it up at least once a week this whole summer. She loves being a big sister. But will all this be ignored because of her medical history?
Tonight, we will meet her teacher. I will most likely stay late to be sure she can meet her teacher One-on-one. I will try to tell her all these amazing things about my daughter that cannot possibly fit on a form. I will try to stress the importance of her medical history without letting it overshadow who my daughter is; because she is NOT her medical history. I will walk out of that room, and pray and hope and dream for a good school year for my baby girl... because isn't that what ALL parents do?
Those two lines are a challenge when you have a child with a complex medical history (I ended up adding an extra page to our forms!) but you're right, our children are so much more than their medical history. It is important to make sure that schools and preschools are aware of the medical history but see the child first and the medical history second. Hope all goes well with your daughter starting preschool.
ReplyDeleteWell said! Thank you! My mom suggested making a document with an abbreviated medical history that we can just attach to forms when needed- working on putting that together!
ReplyDeleteSo happy I came across this. My son is 3 and was diagnosed last year with VCFS. He started preschool this fall and it's so true about how affectionate and kind they are. Everyine tells me what a great soul he is. Wish you all the best in your journey. You have certainly helped mine.
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