Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), as we all know, is a genetic blood disorder that affects millions globally. Managing SCD while attending school can be challenging, but with the right strategies, students and educators can create a supportive and accommodating learning environment.
Tips for Students with Sickle Cell Disease:
1. Communication is Key: Students should openly communicate with their teachers and school administration about their condition, and parents should do it on behalf of their young and teenage children. This can involve discussing specific needs, possible accommodations, and emergency protocols.
2. Stay Hydrated: Adequate hydration is crucial for individuals with SCD as it helps prevent pain crises. Students should carry a water bottle and drink water frequently throughout the day.
3. Pace Yourself: Balancing academics and health is vital. It’s essential for students to understand their limits and take breaks when needed. Planning study schedules to accommodate rest is beneficial. Always remember that we can only go to school when you’re alive and well. So giving your body the breaks it needs to avoid exercercive stress is very important.
4. Understand Warning Signs: Educating oneself about the warning signs of a sickle cell crisis is crucial. Recognizing these signs early and taking the right steps can help manage the condition more effectively.
5. Advocate for Yourself: Students should not hesitate to speak up about their needs, or parents for their wards. They can work with school counselors, teachers, and administrators to ensure their educational needs are met. For example, you can request for an extension of an sssignment deadline or for a notetaker, if needed, or a dorm room where it’s not stressful going to and living in, like ones on the ground floor or with good elevators, or for special permissions for having appliances as needed to make life easier for you, like an electric kettle or stove for hot water, a small refrigerator for your fruits and vegetables, a blender for smoothies, hot water bottles and electric blankets where they are not provided by the school.
My privillages as a special need student while in schools
Right from my primary school up until my school of nursing days, when corporal punishment and all kinds of hard punishments like frog jumps, standing or kneeling in the sun, pick- a- pin, cut grass on a field and so on, were in vougue in most Nigerian schools, I was exempted from all forms of punishments and hard labors, and given special privileges because of my parents disclosure of my health status and dialogue with my school administrators and head teachers.
I remember being allowed to bring a kerosene stove and a cooking pot to boarding school during my secondary school days by the special request of my parents, which I used for boiling water for bath during harmattan (winter) season and for steaming vegetables to complement my school meals from the dinning hall.
Also in the University of Sheffield, while studying for my masters program, I was asked in what areas I would need support to make life in school easier for me. The truth is, with my background from Nigeria where people with disabilities don’t really have special privileges, I didn’t know what to ask for in particular, so I left it to them to decide. It came as a big surprise when the school asked if they could make arrangement for Notetakers for me. They’d attend all my lectures just to take notes and hand them to me at an agreed place when the lectures were over for confidentiality reasons. I was only left with the task of listening and active participation during the lectures. This took a lot of stress off me.
Also, I was given the phone numbers of some cab drivers to call anytime I was to go for lectures. Even though our classrooms were just a 5-10 minutes walk from most of the school accommodations, the school recognized the fact that it was going to be harder for me walking every time and made this provision which lifted a lot of burden from me and sure made it easier to cope with school. The greatest news is that, all these were done at no extra cost to me.
The location of my hostel was another huge blessing. I was given one of the best accommodations. It was on the topmost floor( the fifth) of a new building with new facilities. The elavator was at its best, airation was good and to me, everything was perfect about the accommodation.
I believe that filling in your significant others about your health condition while in school and making request for the accommodations you desire is important and does more good than you may ever know, so dare to ask!
Guidance for Educators and Classmates:
1. Educate the Class: Educators can facilitate discussions to educate the class about SCD. This can foster understanding, empathy, and a supportive environment for the student with SCD.
2. Flexible Accommodations: Work with students and their families to provide accommodations, such as extra time for assignments or flexibility during health-related absences.
3. Encourage Supportive Relationships: Encourage classmates to be understanding and supportive of their peer with SCD. Bullying/ picking on anyone with special needs should be highly discouraged. Creating an atmosphere of empathy can make a significant difference.
4. Emergency Preparedness: Educators should be aware of emergency protocols and work closely with the student, their family, and the school nurse to ensure a plan is in place. For example, provisions can be made for a student to call the school ambulance to covey him or her to the school clinic as soon as they sense the need to be in hospital. Adequate provisions should be made for referrals for critical conditions.
5. Promote Inclusivity: Ensure that all students feel included in classroom activities and events, even if they might need some adjustments or accommodations.
By fostering a supportive and understanding environment, students with Sickle Cell Disease can better manage their condition while pursuing their education. It takes a collaborative effort from both students and educators to create an inclusive space where everyone can thrive.
