B.C. Transit has apologized to a 17-year old student with diabetes who feared for her life when her blood sugar dropped dangerously low and a bus driver forbade her from eating.
Sequilla Stubbs, 17, was on a B.C. Transit bus on Jan. 9 heading home from school when her electronic glucose monitor indicated a dangerously low reading. She tried to eat some fruit and was told to put it away, even after explaining her case multiple times.
David Guthrie, general manager, Victoria Regional Transit Operations at B.C. Transit, has spoken to the family, said mother Jennifer Stubbs.
“He has now personally apologized to both Sequilla and I,” Stubbs said.
The family has been assured that training rolling out to transit operators starting in April will be updated to include more information on exceptions to the no-food-and-drink policy when there is a medical need.
B.C. Transit spokesman Jonathon Dyck said eating or drinking is not allowed on the bus to avoid spillage that could interrupt service, but that food and drink can be transported in closed containers.
Dyck said there are exceptions and flexibility within the rules for urgent medical reasons but that people are encouraged to plan ahead. Sequilla felt reprimanded by the driver when he told her she should have arrived at the bus stop earlier.
Sequilla’s type 1 diabetes, which can be exacerbated during the teen years, is referred to as particularly “brittle” — especially hard to manage.
On Jan. 9, Sequilla, one of three people on the Route 10 bus, headed toward Royal Jubilee Hospital. She was dizzy and shaky. Her blood glucose level was below 2.2. Her ideal range is between 4 and 10. A non-diabetic ideal range would be 4 to 6. She knew she was crashing but complied with the driver’s instructions.
“I put it away and sat on the bus and continued to go home and hoped I didn’t pass out,” said Sequilla.
Initially, B.C. Transit did apologize but the family said it was via a voicemail. Dyck had also apologized publicly through the media.
