I took one of my positive kids to the dentist today. During the course of our conversation, I discovered that our hygienist was friends with my daughter's pre-school teacher. I am sure it will be fine and that the hygienist is well aware of disclosure laws, but these are the sort of interactions that make me nervous. Our doctors and dentists know our kids are positive,of course, but I do not disclose to my kids' school, and the last way I would want them to find out is through the rumor mill. In fact, this is the reason many parents choose to disclose their kids' status themselves - out of fear it will come out any way at some point by chatty medical professionals or family members.
I had similar anxiety when the same child had a minor medical procedure done and had to spend some time in the hospital. We did not have a private room and the doctor was not at all discreet in the way he was asking me about my child's medical history.
It is very frustrating to me. I feel like it is important for me to let my child make her own decision about whether and when she wishes to disclose her status. I hope her right to make that decision for herself is not taken away at some point due to someone's carelessness.
XML Feeds
