My son Evyn is 10 years old and suffers from Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome. Due to his illness he misses numberous days of school. Although he has a 504 plan that excuses his abscences I am concerned these abscences are adding stress to him because of the make up work. The school provides 5 hours per week tutoring, but those are used to make up tests and papers that are for a grade, the rest of his teaching is done by me and my husband. Usually he doesnt start to get sick till Dec. or Jan., but this year he has already missed 7days of school due to his cycles and he just started school Aug. 31. I'm concerned that by pulling him out of regular school and home schooling him he will miss out on "normal boy stuff" Anyone have any recommendations or suggestions? I dont even know where to start the process if this is something we decide to do. By the way we live in Ohio. Thanks so much for your opinions. Jennifer
Hi Jennifer, I feel for you. It must be very hard for you and your husband to not only have to watch your child suffer with this illness, but to also suffer with the additional effects. I can absolutely relate, as my oldest son, 11, has Type I Diabetes (he was diagnosed when he was six) and it is much the same. Daily, we have to check his blood sugar before every meal, sanck, whatever. This includes poking himself with a lancet to check his blood sugar and then shots of insulin after any eating and an additional shot of a long acting insulin at night time. My younges, 9, has asthma. Both of these chronic conditions cause my boys to have excessive absences. The oldest also has a 504 plan, which is great, but as you have noticed with your son, it really doesn't help with his learning the missed material. When we started thinking about home schooling, it was due to a nurse who refused to help with the shots, blood sugar, etc., and had even threatened him (albeit passively/aggressively) on one occasion. At any rate, I had to be honest with myself about the home schooling. Like you, I realized that they would get no social skills. Also, I am simply just not a teacher. I learn fairly fast and so as a consequence, I have no patience when others don't learn fast and I also have no idea how to get across to someone how to do something. It is good that you are taking it very seriously. One suggestion is to look for a home school "support group" in your area. I have a friend that has used the K-12 system. I know there are different ones. I would check into all of them and get parent feedback on each. Keep us posted. I hope that this helped! Terk
