Susan,

I’m commenting without yet having to actually face the situation (Olivia won’t start kindergarten until July 2004).

Olivia will have to ride the bus. Before she is old enough to stay at home in mornings/afternoons by herself, she will have to ride a daycare van (they do have belts). As a single mom, I don’t have a choice unless I want to sacrifice ALL of our family time during the week. This type of a situation is why Olivia ALWAYS has her MedicAlert bracelet on. I will also contact the school and local ambulance district to see how they want emergency officals notified that there is a child with MedicAlert. This could be simply a sign posted in the front of the bus indicating which run and child should be checked (remember the bus driver might not be able to assist)

I might sound a little callous to some, and I’ll admit I have not been in their shoes. But I have to allow Olivia to live a normal life. An accident could happen while I’m driving and she would be in a similar situation (i.e. if I was unable to assit her). Even though she is only 3 1/2, I’m doing my best to teach her about caring for herself. She knows that when she runs a fever she gets Cortef, Tylenol, something sugary, something salty. (Though she doesn’t yet know when she is running a fever) I’m also trying to teach her about vomiting and needing an injection and what to do if she has diarehia. This is a process. Only time will tell how capiable she will be upon entering school. But if I don’t try to teach her, there is no way she will be able to tell anyone anything about her situation.

Just my thoughts. I look forward to what the experienced parents have to report.

Best Regards,

Janet