I had hoped to have a quiet holiday. My plan was to take my kids to synagogue followed by dropping them off at school and having a little R&R with my hubby. It was such a good good plan but it was not to be.
One of the teachers developed a very bad headache and was admitted into the hospital. She called one of the teachers and said they were testing her for (among other things) meningitis. The teachers became panicked and began staging a walk out. I ran to the school and tried to explain once again that even though the virus which is like a cold is contagious but the meningitis is not. This is the same conversation I had at my sons bedside in the hospital. But they said having my children there was contaminating everyone.
I called the Department of Health and had them explain my children were not contagious and once again talk to them about viral meningitis. They would not hear it. It was like a modern day witch hunt where my children where the ones being thrown on the pire. It was crazy.
At one point I broke down and started crying it didn't seem to matter to them at all. They seemed stuck in this ignorance where the facts where irrelevant and only their fear mattered. I had the DOH (Department of Health) several pediatricians and my child's doctor in the hospital explain things to them but they could only hear their fear. One teacher even called the DOH to verify that I didn't have a friend pose as a DOH official. It was unbelievable. It was a mob mentality and it was directed at my kids and myself. It was terrible and just very very ugly.
Silly me I thought people stood behind you in times of trouble. I thought co-workers supported each other when children get horribly sick. Instead they seem out to save there own skin even when there is no danger. My son was dying of dehydration not viral meningitis and that can happen with any illness. I would not bring my child to school with a deathly illness. Why would I?
Of course in the end the teacher did not have meningitis.
I however think I am on the verge of a breakdown.
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46 comments:
I'm so sorry. Fear is exactly what it is. It will, indeed, make the most sane of us act irrationally. You have the officials on your side. You hang in there.
wow! that's so crazy. sorry you had to go through all that. i'm so glad he's doing better though.
In this day and age of instant and overabundant information, I am still constantly amazed at what people don't know. I feel so sorry for you having to go through this so soon after your crisis. Maybe you're getting all of the bad stuff out of the way now an from now on, it will be DOWNhill.
My gosh!! Some people are so ignorant huh? I feel for you.
I am glad to hear he is okay now;)
I'm so sorry that happened to you and your kids. People are so full of fear now that reason often takes a back seat. I really think this is a serious problem with our culture. It's not like that in many other cultures.
I'll step down off my soapbox before I get carried away!
Give yourself a hug for me.
Becky
Oh good Lord. I'm so sorry you're going through all of this. I'm praying that things will get better.
That is absolutely ridiculous that adults, Teachers, people who are in charge of teaching our children, are so ignorant of the facts that are presented to them. I might could understand their fear if the facts had not been presented to them, but to have the facts right there and then to become so barbarack as to blame you and your children. They need to grow up!
Ok, I am sorry for my outrage, but I hate it when people treat others in a way of such disregard.
Hugs and prayers going out to you.
Ughh! Hang in there! I am so happy that your little one is so much better. I will pray for your family that this will all be over soon! Stay strong!
“You must be strong now. You must never give up. And when people make you cry and you are afraid of the dark, don't forget the light is always there.”
UNbelievable. I'm just speechless that your co-workers would act like that.
I'm so sorry.
OMG! How awful for you! It's so sad how ignorant people are!
Come move down here. We need good, quality daycare providers and are a lot more level-headed.
Hugs.
Glad to hear the teacher didn't have meningitis and that is ridiculous the way everyone is behaving! So sorry to hear you are having such a hard time when what you need is support and a big hug from people around you!
I do not know you, nor can I be there, but here's a big ((hug)) from me, nonetheless.
I agree with the others, I am rendered speechless.. that adults who are supposed to be reasonably intelligent would be so fearful that they would act like this. I can see, perhaps one person being that unaware, but this astounds me. Were these co-workers transferred here from another part of the Galaxy?
Hang in there, we are here for you!
Isn't it amazing how supposedly intelligent people can act so ignorant? Yeah, I'm sure you had nothing better to do than get some friend to pose as a DOH official! I am sorry to hear you are being attacked like this. I have two words for them, and they ain't "Happy Birthday"--:-/
What a story! I hope things calm down for you soon.
Aw, I'm sorry. If you lived here, I would watch your babies for you. :-) Tell them all to sit and spin, goodness.
Hi Suzie - You're title says it all. Your ordeal is going on and on. I pray this ends soon so you can get that well deserved R&R. My prayers are with you.
Nice to see he is doing better! Good things will be coming your way! Thank you for sharing!
I'm friggin' furious on your behalf!
Wow-that is awful. People can be so irrational.
I'm sorry your having such a hard time. Hang on to the end of that rope, k? The most important thing to remember is that your children are alive and that people are stupid.
I'm sorry for people's prejudices against your family. It's pretty ridiculous. Good luck!
Suzie,
I am so sorry for all you have been through. It is so sad to have people around you be so negative and hurtful when what you could use is a little thing called kindness and understanding. Oh, I feel so bad for you. Please don't let all their negativity question who you are. You are a wonderful mother and the fact that they would question your choices just shows who they are. Stay strong and know that you are in all of our thoughts here in the bloggy world.
Take care,
Julie
"One teacher even called the DOH to verify that I didn't have a friend pose as a DOH official."
That's unbelievable!
I'm so sorry.
Hang in there. And, if you can find it you, kill them with kindness!
The Meningitis Foundation of America (MFA), a national organization, would like the public and media to know that information is available regarding the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of meningitis. MFA was founded by parents whose children were affected by meningitis. In addition to supporting vaccines and other means of preventing meningitis, the MFA provides information to educate the public and medical professionals so that the early diagnosis, treatment and, most important, prevention of meningitis, will save lives. Meningitis is a dangerous and sometimes fatal inflammation of the brain and/or spinal cord that can leave survivors with serious life-long physical problems such as deafness, brain damage and other disabilities, meningitis can sometimes result in loss of limbs. MFA would like to be considered as a news resource for the disease. For further information, visit the MFA website at www.musa.org.
MFA is proud to announce the new C.I.S.S. Container Identification Scratch System
When we participate in sporting events or mingle at social gatherings it is possible to lose track of our water bottles and/or beverage cans, especially those served in containers that are very similar or identical to a container from which you are drinking. This carries the risk of transmitting an illness, such as meningitis or the common cold or flu. The Container Identification Scratch System, or C.I.S.S., is a fun way to make sure you always know your drink from others. Use it at sporting events or at a family gatherings and reduce the waste from forgotten drinks. Simply scratch your number from the C.I.S.S. label and identify your drink. For more information please contact Bob Gold at Ciss.bob@gmail.com and www.musa.org
Thank you,
Meningitis Foundation of America
P O Box 83602
Phoenix, AZ 85071
(800) 668-1129
www.musa.org
As a person who enjoys your blog and is excited that you work in the school system, I wanted to let you know that I have an independently published childrens storybook entitled, 'Karate Cat'. It is up on Amazon.com (just search for the title), and I would be honored if you checked it out. You know what kids like and don't like so I would humbly intake your opinion of my project. Hope to hear from you =)
where the hell was the person in charge who was suppose to take care of the panic by providing correct and trusted information. you should not have had to defend yourself or your children. You should write a letter to someone in power so this does not happen again. Feel better...
Oh sweetie. Just, oh sweetie. I want to yell and scream and stomp for you.
I'm so sorry that this is continuing to go on. You dealt with enough.
To prove that I'll stand behind you or beside you I'd share a drink with your son. Yes thats right I'd volunteer to share a drink with a backwashing toddler.
Never doubt our blogging friendship ;)
Oh sweetie I am so sorry.
I wish I could reach through the internets and give you a big hug.
Crap. Crap. Crap.
I am so sorry. Wish I could hug you and would do so without protective gear.
Wow. That's so unacceptable on so many levels.
WebMD is one of the worst things to ever happen. I'm convinced. People hear 'menegitis' and refuse to realize that there's more than one type.
I hate ignorance. I'm so sorry you had to deal with it on that level.
That so totally "figures" in our world of fear. So sorry that happened. Get some rest. Tomorrow's a new day.
People can be seriously strange in the face of illness.
I'm so sorry they went on a witch hunt and that you are threadbare. It really is the last thing you need right now.
I really hope the hunters apologised to you when it was discovered it wasn't meningitis.
For crying out loud, do you actually need a note from your doctor?
I'm so sorry you had to go through the scare with your child, and now this crapola.
okay THAT'S IT. I am COMING OVER and going to that DAMN SCHOOL WITH YOU. Man, that pisses me off. If it's one thing I can't stand it's ignorance. plain and simple.
That is unbelieveable! That makes me so mad FOR you!
OMG, Suzie! I'm so sorry! This is outlandish, what you're going through. Who are these people? Where is their charity, kindness and goodness? It's time to gather the wagons and you and your husband and children turn to each other for solace. Feel free to e-mail me anytime...
That's incredible! Do your co-workers read your blog? Do they realize how monstrous they sound? Have they ever heard of Ryan White?
You find out real quick in life who is behind you and who is behind you pushing you over the cliff. (if you know what I mean)
I can't believe some people to be so ignorant that if there WAS a problem, it would have been handled by the DOH they don't have to worry about that. Trust me they don't want an outbreak.
These adults work in this field and don't realize this???
The last thing you need is to deal with irrational workers. I would have freaked and told them here take this pink slip get your shit and get out!
Hang in there sweetie.
Suzie I really hope things get better. I am so sorry.
Congrats on winning my teensy giveaway...can you email me your address when you get a chance? Thank you. :)
Tina/twinklescrapbooks
What the hell is going on? And where the hell was your boss?
Very very angry and peed off with the whole establishment. How dare they be so stupid over somethign so important? Fire them and get people with IQ's.
T xxx
Suzie, stopped over via MomGrind to see how things were going with your son. Saw this most recent post and am apalled at the behavior from those teachers!
I wonder of the DOH has pamphlets they could send out on the FACTS around V.M.?
Hang in there! Things are on the upswing at home, and these people will come to their senses in time. Don't let them get into your head!
--Jess
It's sad but a lot of this stems from the fact that we are losing faith in our medical and government/authority figures. They lie too much. I think more and more people are doubting what the authorities are telling us.
I really hope a big apology is coming your way. It was unexcusible what you went through!
This really is a sad story Suzie. Sad in that the world has entered a state of not caring for others. And for not trusting. By bringing this up here, you remind us all of what is truly important. Hopefully that will be seen where you are. Know that I am thinking of you during these difficult times.
Gawd! These people!!! I don't know what to say, I'm sorry you had to go through that. I cannot imagine the frustration you must have felt amidst this narrowmindedness and ignorance!
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