APS Medical Day Treatment School: Prescribing High Doses of Normalcy to Students with Chronic Illnesses
“Be grateful for what you have.”
It’s a short yet powerful message from a young woman whose degenerative medical condition presents a unique set of challenges that many might struggle to find gratitude in.
This unbreakable beacon of hope is 14-year-old Jana (pictured front row, left). Her optimistic outlook on life is due, largely in part, to the comfort and care she receives at Aurora Public Schools’ barrier-breaking Medical Day Treatment (MDT) school at Children's Hospital Colorado (Children’s Colorado), located on the Anschutz Medical Campus.
A public school inside of a hospital? Yes, you read that right.
Jana, her brother Jihad (pictured front row, right) and their close classmate Fayth (pictured back row, left) are three of nearly 20 students whose medical, educational and psychosocial needs are being met by the two-classroom, two-teacher powerhouse. MDT is an outpatient site serving students across the front range in grades 1-12 who suffer from cancers, pulmonary conditions, neurological disorders, autoimmune diseases and more.
When aches, pains, mental strains and other afflictions arise, doctors’ notes aren’t needed. Here, students seamlessly slide into medical offices down the hall or medical staff – magically, without interrupting class – meet students where they are. This MDT-Children’s Colorado collaboration of personalized support can be characterized as the golden retriever of special education.
“I actually look forward to coming to school now,” said Fayth. “I like seeing all my friends here, because they understand what I'm going through. I wish people understood that we are normal kids who just need a little more help.”
Normal sums up MDT quite well. Despite its hospital confines, MDT’s colorful classrooms buzz with the usual laughter, light and love of learning traditional classrooms exude.
“We have spirit weeks, field trips, picture days…all the things you might see in traditional settings,” said MDT Secondary Teacher Lisa Avram (pictured middle). “I don't approach teaching any differently than a traditional teacher. I have high expectations of learning and building rapport with students, knowing that maybe school wasn't the best experience for them before.”
Jihad echoes this sentiment about MDT’s environment of elevation. Although having to perform a delicate dance between health and academics, he has been reassured that the sky's the limit.
“My favorite thing is that Ms. Avram doesn't treat me special,” said Jihad. “Other teachers would stop me mid-work and say, ‘That's too much work for you. You have a condition and I don’t want you to get your brain hurt.’ But, it wasn't too much! I was just getting started. Ms. Avram really understands me. With her, I stop whenever I want.”
And it’s a good thing these students can’t be stopped. They’re our future, after all.
Jana envisions a rewarding career in pediatrics, helping babies thrive. Fayth hopes to continue spearheading her charity OperationFayth.org while pursuing a veterinary or child life specialist career. Jihad foresees life as a food chemist, cheffing up sensational seasonings and dishes sure to please palettes worldwide.
Before reaching these long-term goals, this trio will transition back to traditional schools. The tough part is that they’ve found great solace in calling MDT home. To that, we share more brief, yet wise words from Jana. “You got this!”
Jana first gifted Fayth with a poster of this message and now the two spread this cheer to their peers through artwork, which can be found hanging from desks.
As they venture through life, we encourage MDT students to hold close to their hearts the Taylor Swift quote Avram wrote on her white board: “If you are lucky enough to be different, don’t ever change.”