for your own safety also I would keep all of your supplies in a purse or backpack with you in the classroom. a box outside the classroom isn't safe for you imo. that way no one can get at your syringes/insulin and either harm themselves or someone else or do something to them. A locked desk drawer might work too, but I think it is best to have some supplies in a bag that you can carry with you,I don't think they can stop you from doing this, and some in a locked drawer as a back up.
I'm surprised other teachers would leave rx in a drawer- not a good idea, so when you ask for a locked drawer and to carry supplies in a purse, remind them that they should also be telling all the teachers not to leave rx or other meds where students could access them.
I'm not sure about the other staff member, certainly if she is keeping things in her desk then why can't you? I teach in a college and I would not leave insulin/pens etc. in a drawer- I am leaving only glucose tabs/candy and things like that. everything else I carry on me including glugcagon/glycogen I figure if I pass out it's better to have that near me anyway.
For those of us who work in places where we could realistically get stuck for several days, it actually is important to have a stash of supplies. Some of us live far from work or work in cities that could be the target of a terrorist attack or fall victim to a severe weather event. Being completely dependent on external insulin for survival means you always have to plan for the worst. I agree that work spaces are not our own, but accommodations must also be made to keep us healthy and safe. I keep a stash of supplies in my bag (which is always with me) and additional supplies in my office.
Yes. of course. My bag with supplies is always with me.I think that a lot of men do not want to carry a "man-purse" and may want to keep their diabetic supplies in a locked drawer, as was shown in the photo. I would never want that. Even my EXTRA storage bag in the locked drawer in the nurses office was closed, zipped up and marked with my name and the words"diabetic supplies' Only the nurse or another adult had access to that, if I was too sick to get to it.( But that never happened in schools in the 32 years I worked). Once I had a teacher friend to go with my key in my room to my own locked drawer,get my closedmedical bag out of my zipped up tote. I was in a classroom observing one of my speech students, and felt low and did not want to get up and walk to test and treat. I was low, around 55. No problem . Treated with glucose tabs at the back of the class and was ok in about 12-13 minutes. No big deal.
But the big deal IS that we must be safe. Men can use a backpack, as meee suggested below. I repeat We must stay safe.
c Hi Chadd, just read your reponse in the discussion about "Workplace rights"? What was the outcome? I was not trying to shoot you down for your choice of storage units..So sorry you had to go through all those changes in work schedules...Can you carry your stuff with you to the rest area in a backpack? Have they given you the shift you requested without a change in pay or seniority levels?
Sarah, whassup in regards to the meeting(s) about your supply storage and the diabetic alert dog? Take care all. God Bless, Brunetta
So I had my final meeting with the company's CEO (eek!), but they found a fair and reasonable accomadation, being a locking drawer in the classroom. Because I work in a school where the children have been sent away due to negative behaviors, I fully understand their concern. But we've reached an understanding of one another needs in the situation. That being said they also have been treating the other diabetics on staff with the same concern after 'finding' my suppiles, so for the time being, all is well. Its always a relief when people who orignially greated you with ignorance are more that willing to learn about your needs. Thank you for all your support!
