Collateral Damage

Ignoring Your Health at NEA's Annual Meeting Can be Risky

By Dave Arnold

Delegates gathering July 1-6 in Los Angeles for the National Education Association's Representative Assembly (RA) have probably been briefed about the local environment. I don't mean LA's smog, gridlock, or crime rate. Nor Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's open hostility toward public employee unions. These are nothing.

I'm talking about The Floor. And the non-stop activity produced by more than 9,000 ESP, teachers and staff meeting in one place. The RA has been known since its start 84 years ago to zap the energy out of participants.

Charged Atmosphere

In fact, the last time the RA was held in Los Angeles in 2001, my friend and Illinois delegate Bill Fowler almost died while listening to a floor debate. Bill's mind and spirit were up to the task. His body, however, was less than 100 percent. Even before leaving for LA, Bill said he was not quite himself.

But Bill is one of those guys who can't say no to NEA or Illinois Education Association requests. When local leaders asked Bill to be a delegate, he didn't blink. He's a trooper.

Then reality struck. In the opening days of the RA, he said he was beginning to feel the strain of large crowds, long hours, hurried meals, endless meetings, loss of sleep. During one particular session, he said he felt lightheaded. So, he rose from his seat and headed for the exit.

Fellow Illinois delegate, Kathie Lange, was sitting nearby. Kathie happens to be a health care assistant at her school district. Her instincts kicked in as she noticed Bill wobbling across her aisle. She was able to grab Bill after he tripped but before he started to tumble down the cement stairs.

Medical Emergency

Bill, from East Peoria, had gone into insulin shock. The emergency-trained Kathie immediately found Bill's glucometer and tested his blood sugar. It was so low that the meter barely gave a reading. Before the paramedics arrived, Kathie located Bill's tubes of glucose paste which helped his body stabilize. Paramedics drove him to the hospital where he remained for three days.

During that time, Kathie visited the hospital during her lunch breaks. She said she had to check on her patient. What a godsend she was that day. The paramedics later credited Kathie, a resident of Streamwood, with saving Bill's life.

Health Conscious

In addition to delegates, more than 2,000 others will be in LA just to serve and cater to the masses. When you include attendees of the NEA Expo on July 1-3, the total number of people expected at the LA Convention Center rises to 15,000. A crowd this size packed into one arena can make for a combustible situation.

Even this year's theme, "TEAM NEA: Fighting for You, Your Schools, Your Students," implies that Association members need to be soldier-ready to defend public education standards.

But too much pressure and stress without relief can take its toll. Even the healthiest of delegates will feel the pressure from having to speak at caucus and state meetings, raise funds, and vote on New Business Items, legislative amendments and other NEA policies.

Those delegates with health problems should be particularly aware that the RA's hustle and bustle can aggravate poor health conditions. Here are some survival tips:

• Eat regular, balanced meals
• Catch up on rest when possible
• Stay hydrated
• Note the location of the health center and first aide stations
• Inform team leaders of medical concerns and location of medications
• Keep your doctor's telephone number handy in case of an emergency hospital visit

Kathie's Cool

Fortunately for Bill, there was a person with Kathie's skills nearby. Those of us who know her were not surprised by her readiness. As Chair of Region 43 of Illinois, which encompasses some of the larger Northwest suburbs of Chicago, she serves with intelligence and diplomacy.

Her technical skill at analyzing student health data has provided new insight into student health and classroom performance. These are several reasons Kathie was named NEA 2005 ESP of the Year. The award, presented in March at the NEA ESP conference in San Diego, requires that Kathie address the assembly in LA.

If you are attending the RA this year, be sure to monitor your health and to take in Kathie's speech.

More Dave's columns.

(Dave Arnold, a member of the Illinois Education Association, is head custodian at Brownstown Elementary School in Southern Illinois. He can be contacted at dparnold@csuol.com.)

The views expressed in this column are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the NEA or its affiliates.