Schoolboy With Diabetes Asks Prime Minister For Better Support At School, UK

Main Category: Diabetes
Article Date: 12 May 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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Harrison Ward, 11, from Southgate in London, backed Diabetes UK this week by calling on Prime Minister Gordon Brown to address the inequalities faced by children and young people with health conditions at schools in England.

Harrison, who has Type 1 diabetes, told Mr Brown about his experiences at school to help Diabetes UK raise awareness of the problems faced by some pupils with diabetes.

Schools (Health Support) Bill

To tackle this issue, Jim Cunningham MP put forward the Schools (Health Support) Bill, which was debated in Parliament today.

"I'm lucky..."

"I am lucky that my school is pretty good at helping me to manage my diabetes," said Harrison.

"We had a few problems when I was first diagnosed but now I am able to enjoy all the activities that my classmates do.

"... but not all children are as lucky"

"I love sports and am in the football team at school, which I really enjoy. I know that some children aren't as lucky as me, though, so I hope that telling Mr Brown about the issue will help to make things better for us all."

Action needed

Douglas Smallwood, Diabetes UK's Chief Executive, said: "Some schools do a fantastic job of ensuring all pupils enjoy a full school life, but it is appalling that some do not get the support they need at school to manage their health condition.

"Some children with diabetes are excluded from school trips or denied the school of their choice, and others have to change their insulin regimen to fit around school timetables regardless of what's best for their diabetes control.

"Action must be taken to protect the estimated one million children with a health condition in England who are currently invisible in education policy."

Source
Diabetes UK