Article Link: http://stage.exchangepress.com/article/caring-for-children-with-special-health-care-needs/5020436/
Gene is a single dad of Amanda, age 4. When Amanda was a toddler she was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes. Gene was forced to quit a good job because he couldn’t find a child care provider who was willing to care for Amanda. After 2½ years of living on welfare, Gene was told that his welfare benefits and medical coverage would be terminated if he didn’t find work soon.Unfortunately, Gene’s situation is not uncommon. Parents of young children who have special health care needs face many challenges, not the least of which is finding high-quality child care so that they can hold down a job to support their family, including the medical insurance they desperately need. This can be overwhelming for parents, as described by Leslie Merklin-Barber, RN:
“Diabetes is scary to almost anyone who hears the word. However, diabetes is not and should not define a child, nor should it limit their ability to go to preschool. As a nurse with experience in Pediatrics and a Diabetes Educator, I see the benefit of children being included in preschool to aid in the child’s social development. A child with a health issue kept out of the classroom has more ...