School district refuses mother’s request for bussing for six-year-old with diabetes despite doctor’s note
For many children, taking the bus is an average part of their school morning routine; they quickly arrive at school with plenty of energy for learning and playing. However, for six-year-old diabetic Sawyer Groff, the bus is not an option, forcing him to walk to school and causing his blood sugar to drop drastically.
Sawyer was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of two. The disease affects the body’s ability to produce enough insulin, the hormone that controls blood glucose. The body’s cells can either resist the effects of insulin or the pancreas does not produce enough insulin. Lack of insulin can cause fatigue, blurred vision, and numbness in the hands and feet.
Sawyer’s mother, Jennie Groff, first discovered that the bus would not be an option for her son during his Townsview kindergarten orientation this past fall. The school district’s bus system only accommodates those who live beyond 2.4 kilometres of the school. The single mother of two does not have a vehicle, so walking to school seemed like the best transportation to school in the beginning.
“We thought it would be fine because we walk all the time, but for some reason walking to school, I don’t know if it was the early morning or what, or even the activity throughout the day. His blood sugar dropped, and it didn’t matter how much I dosed him,” said Jennie
Jennie tried dosing him with less insulin, but his blood sugar was still lowering. With the fear of her son going into diabetic ketoacidosis, which can be fatal, it became apparent to Jennie that walking was no longer an option.
“It caused a lot of mental and physical wear on him where walking was not feasible,” said Jennie.
Taxis were too expensive for Jennie, so she emailed the Anglophone West School District to ask permission for her son to take the bus.
Beverly Culberson is the acting Assistant Manager for Finance and Administration/Transportation.
“Many people walk to Townsview. The shortest path for your location is up St. James Street and through the path by the golf course,” she responded to Jennie. Sorry if that is inconvenient, but busing is not provided within the walk zone except in rare cases of a student having documented special needs.”
Jennie had Sawyer’s pediatrician write a letter; however, there was no response.
“I don’t know if they didn’t receive, or they didn’t think it was enough,” said Jennie.
People on Reddit have told Jennie that walking paths without sidewalks are more likely to receive accommodations. However, Jennie has been advised to take the path lacking a proper sidewalk.
“The path they are telling us to walk, part of it, like the whole road we’re supposed to walk and then the path doesn’t have a sidewalk, so,” said Jennie.
Minister of Education and Early Childhood Development Bill Hogan is counting on the School District to accommodate Sawyer’s needs.
“I would hope that with medical documentation that the District will take it into consideration,” said Hogan.
This fall, Jennie hopes Sawyer has access to safe, budget-friendly transportation to school.
“Hopefully, it does get figured out, and hopefully, I don’t have to deal with this every single year. If it can help out even the least bit, I’m ok with that,” said Jennie
