Sophia Houstons Crohns Disease ID Sheet

My name is Sophie Houston. I am 6 years old and I have Crohns Disease. I was 1st diagnosed in June of 2010 when I was just 4 years old. I spent a week in the hospital this summer due to my symptoms --- I was a very sick little girl. I am currently taking an immune suppressant drug called Remicade that is administered intravenously every 6 weeks at Childrens Hospital.

What is Crohns Disease? Crohns disease belongs to a group of conditions known as Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD). Crohns disease is a chronic inflammatory condition of the gastrointestinal tract. When reading about inflammatory bowel diseases, it is important to know that Crohns disease is not the same thing as ulcerative colitis, another type of IBD. The symptoms of these two illnesses are quite similar, but the areas affected in the gastrointestinal tract (GI tract) are different. Crohns most commonly affects the end of the small bowel (the ileum) and the beginning of the colon, but it may affect any part of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, from the mouth to the anus. Ulcerative colitis is limited to the colon, also called the large intestine. Symptoms:
The most common ulcerative colitis symptoms are:

Diarrhea Rectal bleeding Urgency to have a bowel movement A feeling that you still need to have a bowel movement after having one (tenesmus) Passage of mucus Crampy abdominal pain (often severe) Fatigue (due to anemia) Loss of appetite

Symptoms may also experience fatigue, weight loss, loss of appetite, and loss of body fluids and nutrients. Half of people with Crohns Disease experience mild symptoms. Others experience more severe symptoms, such as frequent fever, bloody diarrhea, nausea, and severe abdominal cramps.

What you need to know:

Students with active IBD will need to use the bathroom several times a day sometimes as many as 20 often on a moments notice in order to avoid fecal incontinence. Incontinence still may occur, and students who suffer this symptom will need to be able to clean themselves and change clothes during the school day. IBD is a chronic illness that is cyclical; patients can face associated gastrointestinal symptoms in a recurrent pattern, with periods of symptom inactivity in between active flare-ups and complications. Symptoms may worsen in an unpredictable manner and conversely, may go into remission for varying lengths of time. Medications can help manage the discomfort and inflammation, but are not cures for IBD. Special Accommodations:

1. Sophie will be permitted to use the bathroom, without

accompaniment by either school personnel or a student buddy, at any time, without asking permission, and without penalty. She will most likely ask for permission unless she feels as if it is an urgent situation. 2. If a student bathroom is not immediately available, the teacher will need to identify the bathroom closest to the door of the classroom, or a more private bathroom if available, such as in the nurses office or a staff bathroom. This will help to reduce anticipatory anxiety during times of active flare-ups related to the socially embarrassing nature of some of symptoms. 3. Sophie will need to be permitted to carry and drink water (to treat dry mouth caused by her medication) as the she deems necessary or appropriate.

4. Sophie can take 5 10 minutes in the restroom sometimes longer. 5. Sophie sometimes experiences extreme diarrhea and rectal bleeding during
her flare ups this is normal for this disease.

6. Sophie in no way should be made to feel like her restroom breaks

are an inconvenience to the class or the teacher.

7. This disease can cause extreme self-esteem issues so nothing

should be said or done that makes her feel uncomfortable because she needs to use the restroom frequently.

8. Seating accommodations should be made so that Sophie has easy access to

the restroom and may need to be moved in the event that there is an ill child in close proximity. Sophies immune system is suppressed so even the common cold can turn into something much more serious.

Emergency Contact Numbers: Laura Jim Cheryl Helen