You must be over reacting

[Kyla]

Today we went to conference with my daughter's PE teacher, classroom teach and new principal. Last year they were running "the big one" at the end of the school year and Kyla was asked to run it again, part of it anyhow, because she didnt finish it in 3 minutes. Duh, her heart had been enlarged for quite a while now with pulmonary stenosis and a pulmonary valve that is non existent and funky tricuspid action. I wrote a letter to the PE teacher explaining that to ask her to run it again was like asking a kid with one leg 4 inches shorter to run it again.

So we go in to set new guidelines for this year...the post valve replacement year. This PE teacher tells me that this is being blown out of proportion. I looked at him (as my husband put his hand on my leg to prevent me from leaping over the table and throttleing the man) and said,
"Well considering she took a stress test and it showed her going into Ventricular arrythmia which led to her pulmonary valve being replaced 3 months later, I dont think I did." The principal looked at him and then us and said, I dont think you did either. ARRRR!!! THe PE teacher says, well I can WALK around the area in 3 minutes. And again I take a breath and pray for patience with this person and say, "Yes, but your heart is not enlarged and you have full pulmonary capacity." When I wanted to say, "Listen you DUMBo...you are putting my kid at risk for a heart attack."

I want Kyla to be able to run "the big one" this year. But dont ever tell me I over reacted. He under reacted. And now I have this concern that if she goes into a tachycardia at school, he won't listen to her or tell me about it. I am frustrated. So I share these concerns and her classroom teacher suggests she wear a heart rate moniter during PE. This is a good idea, and we have one of those, but I dont want this PE guy to use the lower rate as an excuse to push her harder than he should. Help!!

This is 5 weeks post surgery and he and the classroom teach want to know when she can start running and lifting again. Kyla has ADHD so, as she is feeling better and not started back on her meds, she has sooooo much energy. HURRAY!! I just dont want them to push her to far that she is set back. Any suggestions?

 

[Ross]

Sounds to me like mom needs to buddy up to someone on the school board. You know, someone who can yank some chains and get results.

 

[Harrybaby666]

Over Reacting?????????

Over Reacting?????????

Since when do the people in the school system think that they are god and know all about your daughters condition??? They should be listening to the parents instead of preaching their "so called expertise" to you and further more, since when did they complete medical school when they are in the teaching field??? I hope to goodness that they start listening to you and your husband unless they want a law suit on their hands.. I hope all gets nothing but extremely better for you, your daughter and your family...Take Care, Harrybaby666

 

[Nancy]

You MUST share this information with your daughter's surgeon and cardiologist and get their input and then have them write a letter to the Principal regarding just how her PE should be handled.

That this man is a BOZO big time is evident. So he should not be the decision maker. Your daughter's medical team need to get involved. Then it will be official and then if anything happens, however slight, you can go roaring in there without any qualms and make BIG waves.

You might also ask the Principal if the school has a defibrillator. That might get her attention.

 

[tobagotwo]

I don't know how you and your husband kept from choking him right there in front of everybody. What a smug, complacent jerk!

You should be able to get notes from your surgeon or his or her people depicting what her capabilities are as she goes along, particularly if you explain your concerns. Of course, you've probably already done that. That PE teacher is incompetent to determine safe activities for her. So much for his college education (and it's in physical sciences, too - must have passed with Ds).

I would bring the note to the principal and school nurse, as well as the PE and homeroom teachers, and detail them on your concerns, particularly about the tachycardia issue. Remind the principal of your earlier discussion with the PE teacher, and let him know that you hold him accountable for keeping the PE teacher's callous attitude in check.

Children heal fast, but at five weeks I don't know that much lifting would be in her sphere yet, and that may include sports using the larger playground balls. Get the surgeon or cardiologist on board with specific physical restrictions letters ASAP, if they're needed. She's probably itching to get back to playing full force, and the tendency may be to let her do whatever she seems to feel comfortable doing. The more you're sure of what she should be able to do, the less wavering you would do if the PE teacher started asking specific questions about activites.

I really love Nancy's thought about asking about the defibrillator. That should shake them to the core.

Sounds like your daughter's recovering great, though, and that's certainly good news.

Best wishes,

 

[Paul_R]

When I was young and my parents eccountered similar stupidty. They would get letters from my doctors and when that didn't solve the problem they would threaten lawsuit. It got their attention everytime.

 

[strawberry]

That's ridiculous! I had the opposite problem growing up where I had a completely correct heart defect and had gym teachers and coaches not wanting me on teams. My cross country coach announced to everyone "noone with a heart condition should be on this team." Well, I didn't have one since the operation and before now, so I just ignored him. Your gym teacher is nutty! What's it to him anyway? Have you gotten notes from the cardio? I agree you should go straight to the superintendant/school board.

 

[Yaps]

Oh my

Oh my

Goodness..is this teacher a complete moron? Dosent he realise if something happens he is liable? The entire school system needs to be aware of him,as the entire system could be held liable, inform the principle of that fact, and I bet the PE 'teacher'?, will be reprimanded.And he is not a Dr..get some documentation from your docs as quickly as possible. You have more tolerance than me, Im afraid I would have throttled him.
Oh my what is this world coming to???

 

[medtronic of borg]

pe teachers

pe teachers

I think I would just spend a little and take my lawer with me to the meeting with the letters in hand to the super. Let him scare the **** out of them.

Med

 

[Mary]

Hi.
I don't know where you're located, but a situation such as you've described would never occur where I teach.
At our school, the school nurse is always the contact person between parents and teachers dealing with medical issues. The school nurse is also the contact person for my dealings with my cardiologist and school administration.
All medical issues are directed to the nurse.

How old is the PE teacher? Like many have said in their posts, he/she is skating close to the edge in bringing medical liability not only upon themself but the entire school.

I hope you contact your doctor and have him write a letter stating what the physical limitations are. Then it needs to be carried to the PE teacher, the school nurse, and the principal. If there is any further trouble, you should contact an attorney.
Mary

 

[Granbonny]

I agree with Med

I agree with Med

Do you have a family, friend, Lawyer?..To go with you to School Supt..and scare them to death... My Grandson's school is great..with the school nurse who will call parents if any small injury..occurs during the school hours... I hope you will be able to get this Jerk fired.Bonnie

 

[ALCapshaw2]

I give a STRONG SECOND to the Letters, preferably from BOTH her Surgeon and Cardiologist spelling out exactly how much she can do (especially regarding LIFTING) and when. It typically takes 12 weeks for a sternum to heal to 100%, assuming NO complications, and most surgeons have very STRICT limitations on LIFTING during that period, typically 5 lbs at the start and SLOWLY increasing.

A letter from an ATTORNEY at LAW spelling out the LIABILITY ISSUES of the school should really get their attention!

'AL'

 

[Bryan B]

Kristin,

First off, I want to say that your daughter's PE teacher is WAAY out of line...it should be your daughter's physicians who decide what her restrictions are.

Having said that, it's difficult to be protective without being over-protective. I grew up with a heart condition since birth, and my parents and doctors had to make decisions on what I should and shouldn't do as far as physical activity. My Mom recently told me a story about my childhood. I loved all sports including baseball, basketball and football growing up. Unknown to me, when my Dad took a transfer to NC the doctors urged my parents to consider "steering" me towards non-contact sports. We ended up moving into a neighborhood with a country club and I took the bait hook, line, and sinker...I fell in love with golf! This didn't mean that I didn't play other sports with my friends...and I have had my share of injuries from playing pickup games of various sports...but most of my time growing up I lived on the golf course. It's a difficult job letting your child enjoy her newfound energy and protecting her from overdoing it. I would try and get her doctors to give you some guidelines your daughter should follow to be safe and still be able to enjoy physical activity.

 

[Glenda]

I agree with everyone else. Whatever you do, don't the school system push you around. Your child is very important! Also be sure and document everything that is said. You might have to use it in a court later on.

 

[Shine_on_Syd]

I am just aghast. For a PE teacher he knows nothing about the human body. I agree with Mary. The doctors note needs to go to the school nurse and your daughter needs to be restricted from running.

 

[Gnusgal]

Unfortunately, your daughter's PE teacher is not atypical, from what I have observed. I had a student that has CHD who was pushed around by her PE teacher last year and the year before. He was always pushing her harder than he should have, and it was in her accomodations! Her parents were constantly at the school in battle with him.

The real kicker is... this year his wife is our school nurse! Let me just say, I'm not fond of this man, and I have a hard time completely trusting her because of him.

The student is still at our school, but she is finally able to not have to take PE (8th graders are not required). I think her parents are intending to have her doctor write a note to exempt her from PE in high school. I was excempt from 2nd grade (when I got my first pacemaker) through college. I realize that your daughter is not needing to go to that extreme, but sometimes you just have to go over their heads...

Good luck!

 

[Abbanabba]

I have to agree, threaten the jerk with a law suit (both the school and the PE teacher personally!).

I had a similar experience with a gym-nazi when I was in school and it took me throwing up on him and collapsing at his feet after he forced me to do timed laps before the message got through his thick head. Fortunately for me it wasn't more serious, but whenever I told him "I can't" after that, you better believe he listened!

I hope you're able to get some sense into his head before he does something to endanger your daughter. Do whatever it takes.

Wishing you all the best
Anna : )

 

[gijanet]

Spitting mad with you............

Spitting mad with you............

Is Kyla on a 504 plan? If she is, then make sure you personally put a copy in this jerk's hands. If not, then I would get Kyla on one ASAP and get her PE guidelines and limitations put down in writing! Then Coach Dimwit will have to abide by those guidelines, or he is breaking the law and opening himself and the district up to a lawsuit. This issue comes up repeatedly on my pediatric heart group. If you need any more info, give me a shout as I have several links I can dig up for you. Good luck and keep us posted. Many hugs. P.S. Thanks for the kind words a while back. They were taken to heart.

 

[Raverlaw]

Kristin,

I agree with most of what has been said here. I am an attorney and also the president of our school board. Here's what I think:

Kyla sounds like an active child who *wants* to participate - that's good. The PE teacher is used to dealing with a lot of couch potato kids who don't want to expend any effort. Unfortunately, this guy can't distinguish between kids who need encouragement to exercise more and those who have true physical limitations, as Kyla does.

Get recommendations from your cardiologist and PCP. Keep those recommendations updated as Kyla's condition improves. Make sure the school has copies; the principal, school nurse (if your school has one), PE teacher and any other teacher assigned to complete IEPs for children with issues should be involved in coming up with a plan for Kyla's physical activities.

If the principal resists setting up a plan for Kyla, complain, in writing, to the Superintendent of your district. Follow up with a phone call. If the superintendent doesn't get the principal on board, or doesn't respond to you at all, call a school board member. Your comments should be directed to the lack of cooperation in preparing a plan which will allow your daughter to participate in PE to the extent of her abilities to do so. If that doesn't get results, go to your next school board meeting and address the board during the public comment portion of the agenda.

My experience is that trying to get kids 'excused' from any activity, physical or otherwise, is often met with resistance and they will assume that you are an overprotective parent. The key is that your child is entitled to, and should, participate with her classmates as much as she is able to, with the ultimate decision as to what that level is being made by her DOCTORS. The schools should cooperate fully in designing a program for her that meets her changing needs, until the day when she can fully participate without limitations.

Good luck - we're all here to support you.

 

[Marguerite53]

How frustrating!!

How frustrating!!

Kristen,

I think Bill has given you a very good reply. Definitely you need to get the school and the doctors working together. I suspect your daughter's best interests are truly everyone's concern. Sounds like an arrogant PE teacher who is likely to receive a reprimand over this (by ALL means, report the incident to the principal or a counselor).

I admire your patience, and your husband's. Rather than a gentle pat on the leg to calm you down, I'd have had pull with all my might on my husband's belt or something, to have kept him from throttling the man. First, the seeming disregard to your daugther, and then the disrespect to you!!

By being patient and looking for a more correct way to deal with this, you are teaching your daughter values that she needs to have in her life. Good job!! She is lucky to have you for parents!

Marguerite