My 10-year-old daughter was diagnosed with Epilepsy in March of 2022.  She has 3 types of seizures and we have been told it usually takes a year to get the medication right. The goal is to make seizures to be so small, they are not visible and create a bodily reaction.

Reagan has had at least 20 grand mals in 8 months.  Her first one at school definitely shocked the students and staff, as well as us because all of them had been in the morning before 9am. 

It was in the aftermath, I learned from an adult in the classroom; that the staff relied on a 10-year-old classmate/friend to help with the situation.  I explained she knew what to do from being taught Epilepsy and Seizure first aid training.  I further stated to the principal that this specific first aid training could be tacked onto the generalized first aid training the staff goes through.  I know for a fact she is not the only child in the school district with epilepsy and if staff members could learn more about it and know what to expect, then there would be less shock value if a grand mal ever happened. 

I was blown away to hear that only 6 people in building at this particular Elementary School were trained.  Frederick County, MD does not require their teachers to be certified.  In most cases, it is the principal, gym teachers, and nurse.

I think this puts students and staff members in an unsafe position.  If there is only 1 teacher certified and there is an emergency there may be no one close by to jump in and lend a hand.  What if there were some type of emergency involving multiple kids and that certified staff member is only able to evaluate one at a time?  This is very possible, especially at recess or in gym class.  What if those teachers are out sick, on vacation, in a training class, now the numbers are even less.

I feel having school staff be at least, certified in First Aid and CPR will relieve stress on school nurses, teachers, parents, and students and make everyone feel more safe.