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Type 1'stars R Us

@kev-w that's quite a year, congrats on the new arrival.
@CranberryIce I've worked as a trainer working for (usually) large organisations or businesses and I've been doing that for nearly 30 years. Sometimes an organisation will want one of their HR people or whoever to sit in and observe or take part. My approach to that has always been that they want to be assured that what I do is what they want, and if there are ways to make that better/more appropriate for their organisation, it'd be good to know that. I'm also always prepared, so i don't have to worry about anything going wrong; if it does, I'll have a strategy in mind for dealing with it. Viewing things that way has taken most of the stress out of those situations for me, along with dealing with the voice in my head that can sometimes be telling me negative things!
 
Scott-C said:
I sometimes splash some soy sauce on sunflower seeds, then crisp them up under the grill - they remind me of Twiglets.
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How strange is that.
I pour salt on slugs and leave them to dry out on the garden path - they remind me of twiglets.:):):)
 
CranberryIce said:
congrats @
kev-w ️


Ahhhh did so well over the holidays keeping BG levels in line. One week into the new term and I have been battling to keep my sugars down.

I put it down to the weather at the start of the week- but know its actually work pressures.

I have an interview and an observation in the coming week. I always thought I dealt with work pressure quite well but clearly not. Worse thing is when I am high or stressed I want to eat all the time :(

Tried not to stress (but will truly be at ease once its over).

I have already spoken to management- as part of my stress is that they sprung this on me. I don’t want to come across as though my diabetes is stopping me doing what my colleagues do- but these highs are making me feel awful (physically and mentally). Any tips? x
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Hit the management with the DDA and the Equality Act!
 
@SueJB - Our school is due Ofsted this year- so we are under constant watch/scrutiny until that happens.
Guess I am stressing more as this coming Observation will be carried out by complete strangers (the LA).

@Mel dCP - I had a nasty hypo last night because I rage bolused a high - and then came crashing down. Sadly, after years and years of eating what I want and not caring about the impact it will have on my BG- when I am stressed I fall back to my old ways. Luckily it doesn't last long (thank you LCHF/KETO). But will definitely eventually get round to making some snacks that wont send my BG crazy.

@hh1 - thank you- after a morning of prepping for it (or making a start) - and letting off steam by posting on this forum- has made me feel somewhat better. I know the bigger picture is that they are not just focusing on me but the school as a whole- have to keep reminding myself of that.

Bloods are back in range - and hubby has locked away my hypo treats so that I stop snacking on them.

<3
 
Fairygodmother said:
Hit the management with the DDA and the Equality Act!
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I have arranged to speak to the head on Monday morning- just so he is aware of how much this effected me. I generally don't have an issue with obs and interviews- I just didn't like it being sprung on me/ so many chops and changes- especially when I have so many other work commitments going on too.

I am not sure how other employers are but I feel like my head has most of the time been really supportive of my diabetes- mainly around lows and various appointments. Of course he will never fully understand it- and I don't want to come across as though I am making excuses for myself (I feel silly even saying that- but I am sure you understand what I mean) but will certainly air my thoughts.

x
 
CranberryIce said:
Observation will be carried out by complete strangers (the LA).
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Give each of the kids a tenner and a half bottle of vodka in turn for behaving for an hour and saying, "Miss, you're the best teacher evaah" as they leave class.

That's what the teachers at my secondary did...
 
SueJB said:
I know the feeling of having an observation @CranberryIce, it's extremely stressful and being given no warning makes it doubly so. My only tip is to tell "them that's in charge" the effect it has on you. That's not making an excuse, it's just stating a fact.
I would also ask them the purpose of the observation, developmental or judgemental.
Good luck, drink tea.............. or gin and T
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I worked in a primary school for 20 years and saw the reaction of teachers to observations. Shaking, sickness even. Diabetes just adds another level of complication. I do not think in this instance diabetes gives us the right to protest. Everybody feels pressure in some way and has to find a way of dealing with it. However, the fact that I am pretty sure the unions have said you should not have unannounced observations, does give you a right to question them. Look into it!

Hopefully you have a good supportive NTA who will have your back and make things run as smoothly as possible. As one myself I always used to do my best to make sure all the equipment required was ready support with soothing words and sit on the miscreants who may upset the apple cart.
 
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CranberryIce said:
I have arranged to speak to the head on Monday morning- just so he is aware of how much this effected me.
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@Fairygodmother 's mention of the Equality Act reminds me that we had a solicitor come to our office a while back to do an inhouse seminar on the Equality Act and reasonable adjustments in the workplace.

I mentioned libre, how it made life easier and asked whether purchase of it by the employer would be regarded as a reasonable adjustment for T1 employees.

Surprisingly, he said yes. Obviously, it was just an off the cuff answer without being fully thought through, but it got me thinking that there might be a case for running it past HR.

If you're in a trade union, I wonder whether it might be worthwhile getting some advice from their lawyers.

Libre's great but having someone else paying for it is even better.
 
CranberryIce said:
I have arranged to speak to the head on Monday morning- just so he is aware of how much this effected me. I generally don't have an issue with obs and interviews- I just didn't like it being sprung on me/ so many chops and changes- especially when I have so many other work commitments going on too.

I am not sure how other employers are but I feel like my head has most of the time been really supportive of my diabetes- mainly around lows and various appointments. Of course he will never fully understand it- and I don't want to come across as though I am making excuses for myself (I feel silly even saying that- but I am sure you understand what I mean) but will certainly air my thoughts.

My answer:

I think it’s a good idea to let them know all the things that can affect your management of T1, and ask for consideration. Maybe you could give them a document that sets them all out for reference and ask for reasonable consideration in your employment? You could email a copy to them too, and if they agree you could copy in the Deputy Head and possibly other members of staff?
I know most of us don’t like to think of T1 as a disability, and do our best to lead full and active lives, but we also don’t want extra difficulties if they can be avoided.
I agree with hh1 too that good preparation alleviates a lot of stress.
I hope it goes well
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Scott-C said:
Well, I once tried fried crickets in Bangkok, so who knows, flash-fried slug and garlic, anyone...
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Yuk, too much slime! Tinned ants were all the rage in the 50s, and the Romans introduced big snails as a dietary delight, so maybe we could revive the benefits of the home grown?
 
Alison54321 said:
I'm a bit worried that you thought of that too, when you are often so naughty, and I never am.
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Fast approaching 55 yrs old. Can’t remember the last time a lady called me naughty:):):).
You, never naughty? I doubt that;)
 
CranberryIce said:
I have arranged to speak to the head on Monday morning- just so he is aware of how much this effected me. I generally don't have an issue with obs and interviews- I just didn't like it being sprung on me/ so many chops and changes- especially when I have so many other work commitments going on too.

I am not sure how other employers are but I feel like my head has most of the time been really supportive of my diabetes- mainly around lows and various appointments. Of course he will never fully understand it- and I don't want to come across as though I am making excuses for myself (I feel silly even saying that- but I am sure you understand what I mean) but will certainly air my thoughts.

x
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As we know, you have no choice or notification if the Ofsted inspectors will visit your class during their visit. However, if this is a management decision to get staff up and ready for it, like a dry run, then it is unfair and disrespects the professionalism of staff and calls into question their lesson planning and overall teaching. Not nice, not supportive and not necessary. I've always made my feelings known to "management" on this.
 
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