ROANOKE, Va. – A new Virginia law allowing registered school nurses to get more training to assist those with Type 1 diabetes has parents breathing a big sigh of relief.
It’s also encouraging for Anna Hill, who attends James Madison Middle School in Roanoke city. The 12-year-old’s life changed forever when she was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
"It all started when I was 7, in second grade, right before Christmas," Anna said.
"She was actually with us for two and a half weeks while we kind of got it figured out a little bit. Then we came home and she had to go to school and we still didn't know what we were doing," Anna’s dad, Jason, said.
That's where Anna’s school nurse came in.
"The nurse we had, Nurse Sellers, was amazing and taught Anna how to test her blood sugar. They helped her learn how to take shots," Jason said.
Anna now uses new technology, including an insulin pump and sensor that she wears 24/7 to manage her disease. She says her school nurse is a big help.
“Help me change my pump sometimes if I need to. I mean they don't know how to do everything with the pump, but they definitely know what to do," Anna said.
Soon, though, they nurse will know how to do much more, thanks to a new law taking effect in August that gives nurses more training.
“There's new technologies all the time that are changing how we actually help these students during the day, but it's also something that impacts these students every single day, so we want to be there for them," said Carilion Student Health School Nurse Manager Ellen Carroll.
While all Roanoke city schools have registered school nurses from Carilion, it’s a much different case in other Virginia counties.
"I know that in other school systems in other places across the state, I’ve met families where it hasn't been that way. They don't have a school nurse, or they don't have a school nurse the entire day. That has to be so stressful, to leave your child -- especially if they're 5 or 6 years old and are just diagnosed -- and they don't know what they're doing. You're asking a family to truly make a life or death choice and that doesn't seem fair,” Jason said.
Carroll says there’s still opportunities for her school nurses to advance their education with new policies that would ensure they’re up-to-date with the latest technology, and can help students insert the sets that administer insulin.
“Diabetes has some very serious health implications and there can be some very serious complications if their blood sugar goes very high or very low, could even cause death. So we need to know that our nurses are prepared to recognize those signs and to take the proper corrective action, should they need that,” Carroll said.
Anna's dad says that's huge for parents.
"It has to be a weight off their shoulders to know that they're going somewhere that's a safe place. And that's just what every family wants for their child," Jason said.
That means more help is on the way for kids like Anna, who won't let diabetes bring her down.
"It is tough but you've just got to do your best and manage it," Anna said.