Concern that twins with Cystic Fibrosis were denied admissions at the Epiphany Catholic School, after originally being told there would not be an issue with the enrollment

 

Concern that twins with Cystic Fibrosis were denied admissions at the Epiphany Catholic School, after originally being told there would not be an issue with the enrollment

 

 

I realize they are a private school, but I did pull what Sarasota County has regarding cystic fibrosis and it is a disease that they would normally approve for admission.   Below Rebecca’s email is what Sarasota County Schools has about handling children with this disease.    I am wondering why the Principal would state that the superintendent saw no issue with their enrollment, assuming the individual understood the needs of the twins.  Only to reverse course and state that they can not meet the needs of the twins, according to the Diocese this time and not the Superintendent. The Principal does state that they would meet with the nurse to review their needs and perhaps that is how the decision was made. If that is the case, then perhaps the Principal shouldn’t have mentioned that the Superintendent was fine with it, leaving Rebecca with assumption that meeting with the nurse would just be formality. Thoughts?  Frank

 

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Rebecca Queen

 

Wondering if you would post on the scoop about epiphany cathedral and how they denied admissions to my two children with cystic fibrosis. We were in the process of enrolling my twins, I was up front about their medical needs that come along with kids that have cystic fibrosis.   We started enrollment they told me they were fine and it was okay, as you can see from the email below.

 

 

It wasn’t until we had a meeting with the principal and my kids were coughing, she was worried their cystic fibrosis was distracting.  Unfortunately, with this disease, some people can’t control coughing etc too, it’s natural.  Pretty sad a church-based school isn’t understanding of children with an incurable genetic disease.

 

 

My only issue is I was upfront from the beginning with them about all their medical stuff, it was fine till last minute. Now every other private school is full, I can’t remote learn with them because I work full time and I’m stuck.

 

Thoughts?

 

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CYSTIC FIBROSIS

 

Description: 

Cystic Fibrosis is a common genetic disorder that affects both the digestive and pulmonary systems.

 

Cystic fibrosis affects the secreting glands of the body.  Mucus produced by the glands of the lungs is normally thin and clear.  In cystic fibrosis, the mucus is thick and sticky. It clogs breathing passages and can lead to recurrent lung infections and lung damage.  Treatment to help bring up the abnormal mucus includes postural drainage and inhalation of aerosol medications and antibiotics.

 

The thick mucus also affects the pancreas, preventing enzymes from reaching the intestinal system, as they should.  Treatment for the digestive disorders of cystic fibrosis includes supplementary enzymes and a diet low in fat and high in protein.

 

The severity of cystic fibrosis varies from individual to individual even within the same family.  Students may cough frequently and should not be discouraged from doing so.  People with cystic fibrosis are particularly susceptible to contagious respiratory diseases and should not be exposed to other children with cold symptoms.

 

Intervention:

Germs and CF

Medical studies show that people with CF are at particular risk of spreading certain germs among others with the disease. This is known as cross-infection. In people with CF, thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs also allow germs to thrive and multiply. This buildup makes them more susceptible to developing lung infections. Despite significant progress in treating CF, infections remain a serious problem and can lead to worsening lung disease and death. However, there are steps you can take to lower the risk.

 

Lowering the Risk of Cross Infection

When there is more than one person with CF in your school, it is essential that they are kept a minimum of 6 feet (2 meters) apart from each other. Germs can spread as far as 6 feet through droplets released in the air when people cough or sneeze.
If there is more than one person with CF in the same school or classroom, the following steps can help minimize the spread of germs between people with CF. These recommendations are based on recent research and have been reviewed by medical experts.
 
Minimize the time that two people with CF can spend in one place. A minimum 6-foot distance should be maintained at all times.

• Place people with CF in separate classrooms whenever possible.
• If they must be in the same classroom, make sure the individuals are assigned separate desks or work stations as far away as possible (a minimum of 6 feet) from the assigned location of the other person with CF.
• Assign separate bathrooms and drinking fountains for students and staff members with CF.
• Schedule the students with CF to be in other common gathering areas, such as the gym, at different times.
• Assign lunch tables, lockers, and any other items for all students with CF to be as far away as possible from the assigned locations of other students with CF.
• Assign different locations for people with CF to go for their medications, or have the school nurse visit each student in their separate classrooms to administer the medications.
• If a person with CF becomes ill while in school, one student can go to the health office, another to the principal’s office, and a third to the counselor’s office.
• If a student with CF is ill or needs to go to another room or office to get medications, the staff in that office should be notified prior to sending the student to the office to ensure that another person with CF is not present.

 

Encourage everyone to wash or clean their hands

• Germs can spread when people touch something with germs already on it, like a doorknob or desk, and then touch their eyes, nose, or mouth.
• Everyone should clean their hands after coughing, sneezing, or blowing their nose and after using common equipment (e.g., a pencil sharpener, lab equipment, etc.). This is especially important during the cold and flu season.
• Make alcohol-based hand gel and or soap and water readily available for all students and staff to use in the classrooms.

 

Encourage everyone to cover their cough.

• Germs can remain in the air on tiny droplets — ready to be breathed in. They can also remain on surfaces long after a person has coughed or sneezed on or near them.
• Make tissues readily available and encourage people to cough or sneeze into a tissue and throw it away immediately before washing or cleaning hands. If a tissue is not available, encourage everyone to cough or sneeze into their inner elbow.