Diabetes is a dangerous disease in large part due to its “invisible” nature — it cannot be seen until symptoms begin to manifest. Out of the estimated 30 million Americans living with diabetes, a full quarter of them do not know it, according to the NY Daily News. Adults with this disease have some ability to care for themselves, but children are especially vulnerable. This is not just to the disease, but also to discrimination that many face in schools.
When he reached 5, and was ready to attend school, Owen Pollard — son of Jason and Jessica Pollard — got an answer which surprised his parents. The Seattle Times reported that, because Owen had Type 1 diabetes, school officials at both the local public and private schools said, Owen would not be allowed to attend.
It was a community of well-educated, knowledgeable people saying, ‘You’re not welcome’
Type 1 diabetes used to be referred to as juvenile diabetes, as it is more likely to occur in younger people. This is when the cells in the pancreas that are responsible for making insulin cease to do so, and replacement insulin must be supplied. This is as contrasted with Type 2 diabetes, a more severe case where not only do the cells stop manufacturing insulin, but the patient begins to build a resistance to insulin. This means that more insulin is required to overcome the resistance and provide the necessary amount. While some progress has been made towards finding a cure, it still remains a dangerous disease.
Although he had the more benign of the two forms of diabetes, Owen was barred from attending his local schools. This is symptomatic of larger trends around the country. And while the Justice Department has found that this is discrimination against individuals with disabilities, many parents are unaware that this ruling exists, and that there is something they can do.
The Pollards, even after finding a private school which would accept Owen, had to be present at the school every day, as no one would give him an injection if he were to fall unconscious.
In the end, the Pollards moved from Seattle to Maine, where Owen is now happily attending a public school.
