VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) — Tiffany Hirko is searching for that one daycare to say the magic word — yes.
Her son Bentley won’t be four until November so he won’t be eligible for public pre-K until next school year. But the biggest hurdle is his diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control, Bentley is one of about 300,000 young people in the US under the age of 20 with Type 1, the far less common kind of diabetes.
Hirko said she has contacted about 50 daycares in Virginia Beach without success.
“They say he’s a liability because he has Type 1 diabetes,” Hirko said. “They have staffing issues where they can’t commit to taking care of my kid. They can’t afford the expense that it takes for the classes for them to qualify to do insulin.”
Hirko said Bentley’s care is not all that complicated. He takes insulin through a pump concealed on his right thigh. “He is required insulin after each meal,” she said.
And anyone with a phone can monitor Bentley’s blood sugar through a monitor on his arm. The only times he needs a shot of glucagon, a medication for hypoglycemia, is when his blood sugar gets too low. Hirko says this is rare.
She is looking for that one piece that will solve her daycare puzzle.
“I don’t think [Bentley] should be treated any different than a kid his age, He shouldn’t be ripped out of the opportunity for learning and be around other kids just because of his disability.”
Tuesday afternoon, she contacted a local daycare who told her “this is not the place for your son,” even though it gets public money, which could amount to discrimination under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
According to the American Diabetes Association, “child care centers cannot refuse to accept your child because he or she has diabetes,” and said if people need help, to call 1-800-DIABETES (342-2383) or email askada@diabetes.org. It said they would ask a few questions about a parent’s issue and forward their request to the legal advocate program for review and possible assistance.
The American Diabetes Association offers other tips for parents or guardians seeking childcare.
- Your child’s health care provider should work with you to prepare a care plan for your child
- Child care center staff should provide the care prescribed for your child by his or her health care provider, including blood sugar monitoring, insulin and glucagon administration, recognition and treatment of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and hyperglycemia (high blood sugar) and meeting nutritional needs outlined in the care plan
- You must provide all diabetes supplies, equipment, snacks and insulin or other diabetes medication to the child care provider
- All child care staff should receive basic diabetes information, including training on diabetes emergencies and know who to contact for help
- At least one staff member should be identified and trained to give your child insulin, glucagon and do blood sugar monitoring
- You should train child care staff and help your child care provider to locate a diabetes trainer, like your child’s diabetes educator, if needed.
- Your child should be allowed to participate in their own care as they are able to do so.
- You should be familiar with federal and state laws that protect your child’s right to safely participate in a child care program
She’s hoping her next phone call with a daycare doesn’t end like this.
“They just go, ‘I’m sorry, ma’am’,” she said, “and then they’re telling me, ‘good luck.'”
If you can help Hirko in a search for daycare for her son Bentley, contact her directly at tcarter91@icloud.com.