Camp not responding about being able to accommodate recent epilepsy diagnosis

[Anonymous]

We signed my 4 year old up for camp at Headfirst in January and when we filled out all the paperwork, he had no medical issues. Late February rolls around and he has a seizure and is then diagnosed with epilepsy and given a rescue medicine in the event that he has a seizure longer than five minutes (as his first one was). We were also given instructions to always be within arms length of him while swimming. Headfirst has swimming as part of their program, and the ratio is 1:2, so I'm not actually worried about his safety, but I have emailed the camp twice in the last two weeks asking if they are able to accommodate him and there has been no response. He attended this camp last year and while we liked it, I definitely got the impression it is run by college kids. Any advice for next steps if they continue to refuse to respond, or if they give a less than reassuring "we can handle this"? Thanks so much.

[Anonymous]

They have the right to refuse. And if they do, trust they can’t handle it.

[Anonymous]

He needs a 1:1 aide in the pool. Are you able to pay for that if the camp can't provide one?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I had a dog with epilepsy it was terrible and scary I was never able to leave the dog with anyone else or take it to doggy day care after that. I can't imagine letting my 4 year old with epilepsy go to a regular camp and not a special needs camp which would be more equipped for something like this. To a regular camp this is an insurance liability which they are probably not able to accept him. I would look for a camp better equipped for your young son.

Well, OP's son is not a dog. You don't hyper-hover and prevent the kid from living because of a medical diagnosis, especially when it is controlled and when you put safety measures in place (like giving the camp his emergency meds).

This is OP and and thank you. A little more background: for the type of epilepsy he has, seizures are almost always at night or upon waking. So while it is possible that he would have a seizure during the day, it is unlikely. But obviously we want to be prepared. Our neurologist has advised that he can do everything a “normal” child can do, with just a little extra caution and attention.

He’s also only had one seizure and while unlikely, it’s possible he never has another one again. Kids often go many months between their first and second seizure in this type of epilepsy so it’s possible the summer passes and he doesn’t have another one at all.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like you should consider hiring a 1:1 or looking into a special needs camp that is equipped to handle medical conditions.

[Anonymous]

I would not trust them.

[Anonymous]

I would only do a camp with a licensed nurse on staff but why not just keep him in day care?

[Anonymous]

I’m super paranoid so I’d be nervous about this…. I think the lack of response tells you what you need to know. They’re either not equipped to handle this or can’t even get their acts together enough to respond. Either way, it’s not a good sign

[Anonymous]

Absolutely not. I say this as a parent of a type I diabetic diagbosed at 8. From that point forward he only went to diabetic sleep away camps (with the exception of non-high risk day camps e.g. computer camp).

[Anonymous]

They are hoping you will go away (sorry!)

[Anonymous]

My child has Type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed in preschool. Some places couldn’t accommodate and I didn’t push it. Find the place that can accommodate or is willing to work with you. My child preschool had never had a diabetic student, but was willing to try. We ended up spending three great years there!

It is better to just go somewhere else when they are that young. Once you are school age (K or older) it gets a lot easier.

I don’t know where you are located, but at that age the only camps that would take my child were at their own preschool or ones with an actual RN on staff (not a med tech). These camps are out there, it is just a bit of effort to find them!

Good luck.

[Anonymous]

Pp here.

Unlike the other diabetic parent my child went to a lot of different camps.

Started out half day when younger. ( pre K age)

Now does sports, day camp, etc

Don’t let disability define your choices.
But make smart, safe choices based upon your child’s age and maturity!

[Anonymous]

Another mom of a kid with a very complicated medical condition:

My approach (as you did) is to be transparent and have a discussion with the camp director. The camp we found for this summer has an engaged, interested director who scheduled a phone meeting to understand her medical issues and needs. She put my mind at ease with her level of organization and with her explanation of supports and procedures in trace at camp. I came away with confidence and trust.

If the camp is not being responsive, take this as an indication of their level of responsiveness in an emergency. For me the trust would be gone and I wouldn’t risk it. These are high stakes situations and you have to be able to trust the staff.

[Anonymous]

My child with epilepsy does many different camps. He is on seizure meds, though. Is your child? We disclose always. We provide a neurologists seizure plan.

[Anonymous]

Can you have him wear a floatie?

Another option would be to have him sit out the swimming if they can't provide a 1:1 during swimming. You cannot have a counselor watch another child at the same time as your child. It's not fair to the other child and creates a huge safety risk for the other child not to mention liability if the other child is injured.

Having a counselor always at arms length in a pool is a really big ask but some camps may be able to accommodate especially if they have a lot of extra junior counselors on hand.