As a diabetic, I must point out that a cola WOULD be a recommended
treatment for hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar. In fact the link you
provide lists non-diet soda as a medically recommended response to a low.
Like juice, a non-diet soda would be rapidly absorbed into the bloodstream
and quickly rectify a hypoglycemic episode. Low blood sugar can have
serious consequences, including loss of consciousness, coma, and death, and
at times it can develop very rapidly.
In short, the visitor's concerns COULD be legitimate, which is why it
really is important to give the benefit of the doubt rather than assume
deceitful intent (though sometimes I'm sure there are those who take
advantage). Keep in mind as well the potential public relations and legal
implications if someone really does experience a medical emergency and
staff responds to the visitor as a trouble-maker rather than a person in
trouble. Also keep in mind that the symptoms of severe hypoglycemia may be
mistaken for intoxication. The link you provided lists them as:
Symptoms are:
>
> - Weakness
>
>
> - Feeling tired
>
>
> - Shaking
>
>
> - Sweating
>
>
> - Headache
>
>
> - Hunger
>
>
> - Feeling nervous or anxious
>
>
> - Feeling cranky
>
>
> - Trouble thinking clearly
>
>
> - Double or blurry vision
>
>
> - Feeling uneasy
>
>
> - Fast or pounding heartbeat
>
>
Needless to say, this could be even more reason for a staffer to react to
the visitor as a behavior problem rather than a medical one.
I do feel that a "no open containers in tour areas" is a completely
reasonable condition to require of all visitors, even those who claim
medical need.
---------- Forwarded message ----------
> From: Elizabeth Walton <[log in to unmask]>
> Date: Fri, Sep 12, 2014 at 12:09 PM
> Subject: Re: [MUSEUM-L] Beverages in galleries for medical purposes
> To: [log in to unmask]
>
> My guess would be that people have learned that with ADA rules they can
> get away with lying about things like help dogs, etc. because businesses
> are not allowed to ask about health conditions. I think it is fair to
> require it have a closed top and explain why they need to be extra careful.
> Maybe since they know they are lying they will feel a shred of guilt. I
> doubt it, but maybe.
> For reference, as far as I have heard, cokes are NOT recommended for
> diabetes treatment, even if sugar is suddenly low.
> http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/patientinstructions/000085.htm
>
>
> On Fri, Sep 12, 2014 at 11:51 AM, Via, Marie <[log in to unmask]>
> wrote:
> The number of visitors who insist on taking beverages into the museum for
> medical reasons seems to have increased a lot lately. Water (for a
> pulmonary condition, for example) isn’t so much an issue – we just ask them
> to be sure the bottle is capped tightly and stowed out of sight when not
> use. On the other hand, many people are now saying they must have Coke or
> some kind of soft drink with them due to diabetes. This is more
> problematic. I’m wondering if others are seeing an uptick along these
> lines and, if so, how they are handling the balance between protecting
> collections and offering a good visitor service. Thanks!
>
> Marie Via
> Director of Exhibitions
> Memorial Art Gallery
> 500 University Ave.
> Rochester, NY 14607
> 585-276-9003
>
>
> *6th Rochester Biennial*
> *July 13–September 21, 2014 in the Grand Gallery*
>
> *New Ghosts for A New Age: Yoshitoshi’s New Forms of 36 Ghosts*
> *Japanese Prints from the Arthur R. Miller Collection**August 29–November
> 30, 2014 in the Lockhart Gallery*
--
Mark Lozo
Education Director / Chief of Interpretation
Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
641 Delaware Avenue
Buffalo, New York 14202
www.trsite.org
www.nps.gov/thri
[log in to unmask]
(716) 884-0095
(716) 884-0330 (fax)
"This country will not be a permanently good place for any of us to live in
unless we make it a reasonably good place for all of us to live in." -
Theodore Roosevelt, Chicago, IL, June 17, 1912
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