Dear Friends: Yesterday, May 28, 2010 an article appeared in the Ottawa Citizen newspaper written by James Ron, Associate Professor at the Norman Paterson School of International Affairs at Carleton University (carleton.ca/jron). In the article he related that his son diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes developed some complications and he had to spent time in the hospital. Given Canada's healthcare system, he stated he feared the worst but was pleasantly surprised. He related that CHEO has a one-room school for its patients and went on to praise how his son was treated. He then went on to say how fortunate we are with our healthcare as compared to countries like India. Margaret has considerable experience with the school system and how children ill with ME/CFS and FMS are ill but usually at home and have to fight to get an education. She is a relentless advocate on behalf of children and youth. She took this opportunity to write a response to James Ron's article which appeared in the Citizen today (May 29, 2010) and can be seen in its entirety below. Our President, Margaret Parlor, was able to bring attention to the children and youth ill with ME/CFS and FMS as well as other disabled children. Please see her article below in its entirety. Lydia Students sick at home need an education, too Lydia E. Neilson, M.S.M., Founder Chief Executive Officer National ME/FM Action Network 512 - 33 Banner Road Nepean, ON K2H 8V7 Canada Tel. (613) 829-6667 Fax (613) 829-8518 E-mail: ag922(a)ncf.ca Web: http://www.mefmaction.net The Ottawa Citizen May 29, 2010 Re: CHEO's one-room schoolhouse, May 24. [Note: CHEO is an acronym for the Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario located in Ottawa, Ontario] It was inspiring to read the story about how patients at CHEO receive their education. An exciting program has been developed which addresses the health, social and educational needs of young people who are patients at the hospital. It is important to recognize that not all young people who are ill are in hospital. Many are isolated at home, some for months or even years. There is very little recognition of their needs in the Ontario education system. No special programs have been developed and guidelines are virtually non-existent. School boards can even decide whether or not they provide the student with a visiting teacher. One school board trustee stated quite simply that, if a student isn't at school, the student isn't the board's responsibility. Contrast this to the situation in Britain, where its ministry of education has developed comprehensive guidelines on access to education for students with medical needs, school boards are required to ensure that no student goes without access to education for more that 15 days, and special online classrooms have been developed to give isolated students contact with others. Access to education for students who are ill is a major issue for the National ME/FM Action Network. Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome and Fibromyalgia Syndrome are frequent causes of long-term school absence. Young people who are sick at home in Ontario need educational programs just as much as students who are sick in hospitals. It is time to address the educational needs of these young people. Margaret Parlor, Ottawa National ME/FM Action Network Read more: http://www.ottawacitizen.com/news/Students+sick+home+need+education/30865...