My name is Marney Paradis and I am chair of the Yukon T1D Support Network, a non-profit that focuses on supports and education awareness for persons living with Type 1 diabetes, their families, and their communities.
My son was diagnosed with Type 1 when he was in grade 11. Neither my self/family or teachers were aware of the symptoms. He was rapidly losing weight, he was groggy and unfocused, and he was drinking about one gallon of water every hour. There were a lot of symptoms, but we were just not aware.
I am asking for government permission to enter into schools for purpose of providing teachers a brief, 10-minute training session on how to identify when someone might be Type 1. This is not an exercise that suggests, in any way, how to treat, diagnose, or provide health-care interventions. I am seeking to do this solely as a means of assisting faculty and administration in what Type 1 looks like.
My son was very, very sick when he was in high school, and nobody was catching on. A small presentation might help teachers recognize when a young person is very ill with a disease that is easily overlooked.
Thank you for your time,
Marney