Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Bloody noses and other life threatening events

I recently received a hemoish question via email from one of our readers.  She wanted to know how to help a family who was having a hard time finding daycare for their child with an inhibitor.  Apparently no one in their area would take the child into their care.

Ok.  First of all, mean.  Second, ignorant.

Having gotten that out there-  here is my advice:  I have no idea what this family should do.  I have not had to find childcare for my son (thankfully) and my sisters all stay home with their kids too, so this is definitely not my area of expertise.

However, I know that my 8 year old nephew (Jack - you'll know him from this blog) got a nosebleed on the bus the first day of school... which was a huge emergency... to the bus driver lady.  Apparently, she pulled over and refused to take the kids to school until my sister came and retrieved her child.  Too bad for her my sister doesn't like being bossed around by the likes of scaredy cat bus driver ladies.

In the end, my sister got her to take a breath and drive already, but the kids ended up being 45 minutes late to the first day of school... thus making my nephew a hemo hero to all those tardy souls who share his bus ride.  (In the future, his plan is to carry lots of tissues and keep the bus driver in the dark.  Wise.)

Having told that sort -of-but-not-really- related story, I actually do have one suggestion... which I stole from my other sister.  I would call the Bleeding Disorders Legal Hotline and ask for some advice.  I don't know if childcare is covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, but it seems to me that refusing to enroll a child because of a medical condition that affects no one but him/her is a bit sketchy.  The hotline is free and there is a link to it in the "bloody good helpers" section of our blog.

Here is the number, just in case.
Bleeding Disorders Legal Hotline: 1-800-520-6154

If anyone else has dealt with this and would like to share their experience or advice that actually feels like advice, feel free to leave a comment.

4 comments:

  1. No advice, but I love yours about the legal hotline! Also, my verification word is "Bulli" which I thought was ironic considering that's kinda what the daycares are being!

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  2. If she has a hemophilia treatment center, she may want to ask HTC staff for recommendations. She can also contact the National Hemophilia Foundation information resource center, known as HANDI, at handi@hemophilia.org or 800-42-HANDI.

    HemAware magazine has an article on this topic: http://hemaware.org/story/selecting-day-care. (Full disclosure: I am the managing editor of HemAware.)

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  3. Maybe the school would like some media attention!!!

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  4. Depending on where you live I have had good luck with a few. My stand is that no daycare has the right to say they won't care for your child just because they have a bleeding disorder! If you can choose one that is federally or state funded they have laws against that kind of discrimination. That being said, you as the parent are the best person to teach the daycare provider about your child, with the exception of your HTC. Assure your provider you will be close at hand if need be,and make sure they have all of the emergency numbers. After all didn't you have to learn how to take care of your childs bleeding issues. Now who ever cares for your child will also. I am wishing you luck.

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