By Susanna Ray
Herald Writer
OLYMPIA — Sen. Mary Margaret Haugen got a special treat on Diabetes Day in Olympia on Friday.
No, the Camano Island Democrat didn’t get any candy, but she did get the sweet smiles and hugs of two little Stanwood boys who drove down with their mother to thank Haugen for her efforts on behalf of diabetics.
Tina Meyer and her sons, Kyle, 11, and Cody, 9, presented Haugen with an award from the American Diabetes Association.
The four of them tried last year to get a bill passed allowing willing school employees to be trained to give glucagon shots to diabetic students if they suffer from low blood sugar and go into seizure. Haugen sponsored the measure, and the Meyers testified on its behalf.
Kyle and Cody both have Type 1 diabetes, and their mother is worried about brain damage that could occur if they aren’t helped quickly enough in an emergency. Cody’s school, Cedarhome Elementary, only has a school nurse on site once a week, and Kyle’s school, Stanwood Middle School, twice a week.
Meyer, an emergency medical technician, said glucagon shots are lifesaving but aren’t dangerous, so trained nurses aren’t necessary. "It’s a benign substance. It’s just straight sugar water."
The bill made it through the Senate but stalled in the House. The same thing happened again this year.
Supporters changed the measure, and it has a new sponsor in Sen. Rosemary McAuliffe, D-Bothell. It has to pass out of committee by the legislative deadline of next Friday or the Meyers may be in for a third round of Olympia adventures next year.
You can call Herald Writer Susanna Ray at 360-586-3803 or send e-mail to ray@heraldnet.com.
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