"And he sent them to preach the kingdom of God, and to heal the sick."
Luke 9:2
"And he healed them all"
Matthew 12:15
Luke 9:2
"And he healed them all"
Matthew 12:15
Medical Issues
All of us have been sick before. But some of individuals suffer from disease, illness, and disorders their entire life. Jake, who is nonverbal, discusses seizures--what they are like:
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In areas of medical issues, it is vital to talk to the parent, caregivers, individual's nurse, and the individual about how situations should be handled. You might need to discuss seizures, allergies, feeding tubs, medical devices poor immune systems, and ways to be sensitive if the individual. This will help individuals be safe and healthy as possible.
The following are some medical equipment to be informed about. You can explain to the individual's peers. This can help them have compassion. This is information only. You should not operate these without proper training and permission:
Trach- A trach is a tube that is inserted through an incision in the neck below the vocal cords that allows an individual to breathe. Sometimes these need to be cleaned out. It may be unpleasant to hear. You can explain to children that it is like they are coughing.
Feeding Tubes- Some individuals have a difficulty swallowing for a variety of reasons. Some have feeding tubes in the nose where it is visible. In this case you can explain to children that this is how they eat and that sometimes they will need to be fed in church.
Others have feeding tubes, but they are hidden.
Others have feeding tubes, but they are hidden.
Respirators- Are found on wheelchairs. Sometimes they will beep off. They can be big and bulky.
EpiPen- These may be used in emergency situations for individuals with severe food allergies
Diastat- Is medication for seizures when in emergency. They are administered rectally. Some refer to it as a seizure pen.
Diapers-While we all know what diapers are, many individuals with severe disabilities are not potty trained. As a result, it is important to be sensitive if a diaper is soiled that their diaper is changed quickly (usually inform the parent and they will change it) for their self-respect and to help peer interactions be more successful. Be respectful and sensitive as possible so the individual wearing the diaper isn't humiliated. Make sure they are not teased. Additionally, some girls have sanitary napkins that need changing. It might be wise to have something available that can be wrapped around like a skirt, should they leak through.
SERVICE DOGS (animals)-Many individuals have service dogs (animals) that provide a variety of function for a person. Some have them to warn caretakers they will have seizures, some to elevate legs due to severe blood pressure drops or dizziness (pictured), some to calm anxiety, some act as eyes for the blind or visually impaired, etc. These animals should not be played with as they are working. According to Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), service dog are considered medical equipment and should be treated in similar regard to how you would treat someone needing an oxygen tank at church.
Ideas to Help in Relation to Medical Issues:
1-Educate the peers about the medical needs and anything they should be aware of to be more accepting, less nervous, and careful, if needed.
2-As mentioned above have diapers changed quickly as soon as they are soiled so the individual has self-respect and they are accepted by their peers. Model respect and kindness.
3-Don't allow other children to tease them for any reason.
4-Be careful to keep things an individual might be allergic to away from them and often out of the building.
5- Discuss with parents and the individual with seizures what the procedures are for handling the seizure. Typically a parent or guardian should be informed immediately when there is a seizure. As you are likely not a medical professional, usually this will be your roll as well as keeping them all safe.
6-A seizure is described by some to be like a lightening and thunder storm in the brain. They need a quiet place with the lights low to be after this happen if possible. If you can replace flickering fluorescent lights in a building, that is ideal as seizures are sometimes believed to be triggered by these.
7-Some individual's immune system or medical needs are so severe that they either can't be at church or often are in the hospital. Thinks of ways you can reach out as a congregation to these individuals and families.
8-Some individuals vomit without control. This is embarrassing to them. Don't make a big deal of it. Just have saw-dust or something available that can soak up the liquid to clean it up. Help the peers have empathy and understanding should the need to discuss it arise.
9-Be understanding of the need for service animals. If a caretaker is not present, it is appropriate to ask the individual and caretaker about the function of the service animal as sometimes the animal might be communicating a medical need about the individual they serve.
1-Educate the peers about the medical needs and anything they should be aware of to be more accepting, less nervous, and careful, if needed.
2-As mentioned above have diapers changed quickly as soon as they are soiled so the individual has self-respect and they are accepted by their peers. Model respect and kindness.
3-Don't allow other children to tease them for any reason.
4-Be careful to keep things an individual might be allergic to away from them and often out of the building.
5- Discuss with parents and the individual with seizures what the procedures are for handling the seizure. Typically a parent or guardian should be informed immediately when there is a seizure. As you are likely not a medical professional, usually this will be your roll as well as keeping them all safe.
6-A seizure is described by some to be like a lightening and thunder storm in the brain. They need a quiet place with the lights low to be after this happen if possible. If you can replace flickering fluorescent lights in a building, that is ideal as seizures are sometimes believed to be triggered by these.
7-Some individual's immune system or medical needs are so severe that they either can't be at church or often are in the hospital. Thinks of ways you can reach out as a congregation to these individuals and families.
8-Some individuals vomit without control. This is embarrassing to them. Don't make a big deal of it. Just have saw-dust or something available that can soak up the liquid to clean it up. Help the peers have empathy and understanding should the need to discuss it arise.
9-Be understanding of the need for service animals. If a caretaker is not present, it is appropriate to ask the individual and caretaker about the function of the service animal as sometimes the animal might be communicating a medical need about the individual they serve.
Q&A: What are seizures like?
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"I AM NOT SEIZING NOW. I AM NOT SURE WHY THEY HAPPEN, I JUST SUDDENLY GO CRAZY. I JUST START MAKING MY VOICE IN MY HEAD. I JUST START SPINNING. MY WORLD IS PAINFUL AND FUZZY. MY HEAD IS ON FIRE. I AM NOT IN THIS WORLD. MY VOICE IS LOCKED. MY MIND IS NOT PLAYING, BUT MY MOOD IS SPINNING. I SEE MOST SCARY THINGS. I FEEL ALONE AND AFRAID. SO, I CAN SAY I DON’T WANT TO BE IN YOUR EVIL MOST WICKED WORLD. (I AM TALKING OF SATAN’S WORLD.) MY MIND IS IN A LAND OF ITS OWN. BE GLAD YOU DON’T HAVE SEIZURES." -Liam, Age 10, Utah |
References:
*A special thanks to Jean Unger M. Ed, a special educator with a focus on individuals with severe to profound disabilities, deaf-blindness, and medically fragile, who contributed to the information on this page.