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The day of the review

On the day of the review it is essential that there is no risk of hypoglycemia and also that your blood glucose is not very high. Make sure that the examiner is told in advance that you may need to check your blood glucose level before, during or after the review and that you must have food and drink available during the examination. It is sensible to run your blood glucose around 7 or 8 mmol/1 (126 or 144 mg/dl) rather than 4 mmol/1 (72 mg/dl). You should take your blood testing kit, cans or containers of fruit juice, biscuits or crackers, glucose tablets or candies and tissues into the assessment with you. Make sure that you check your blood glucose before you go into the examination, and eat something if it is low. If yоu do, wipe your fingers – a sticky paper could lose you marks! Do not panic if your blood glucose level is higher than you would like – it is not a disaster and you will not fail because of it! Just think afterwards what you could have done to achieve better glucose control so that you can learn for the next time.

School trips

In the old days pupils with diabetes were sometimes left behind when the rest of the class went off on a school trip because the teachers were afraid that they would not be able to cope if something went wrong. This made the diabetic pupils feel very left out. Nowadays they should be able to share in all class activities. There is no problem if you can measure your blood glucose level and adjust your own insulin and food, and if the supervisors are all told how to recognize and treat a hypoglycemic episode.

For younger pupils or inexperienced diabetic teenagers, the teachers need to be given more information about coping with the diabetes. If parents are asked to help with the trip, your mother or father could come along. Supervisors may feel happier if they have a telephone number to call in an emergency, although few will have to use it.

Planning

The first thing to do on hearing of a school trip is to find out exactly what is planned and for how long you will be away. Then work out how much food you will need and add some extra snacks for extra energy and an extra meal in case of delays. Take your insulin and blood testing kit and some money. Of course, you will be carrying glucose tablets and some form of identity card, locket or bracelet.

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