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Diabetic teen told to put fruit away after blood sugar dropped on B.C. Transit bus

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Sequilla Stubbs, 17, who has diabetes, was told by a bus driver to put her fruit away after her glucose monitor started beeping indicating her blood sugar had dropped. Photograph By COURTESY JENNIFER STUBBS

A Victoria teenager with diabetes whose blood sugar dropped dangerously low feared she’d pass out after a B.C. Transit driver told her to put away her fruit.

Sequilla Stubbs, 17, was on a B.C. Transit bus on Jan. 9 heading home from school when her glucose monitor started beeping indicating her blood sugar had dropped.

Sequilla felt dizzy and shaky and took out a container of mixed fruit. But she barely took a bite when the driver told her to put it away. His tone was angry, she said.

Sequilla said she explained her situation to the driver “multiple times” but he insisted she follow the rules.

B.C. Transit spokesman Jonathon Dyck said the rule is there is no eating or drinking on the bus but that food and drink can be transported in closed containers.

Dyck said there is exceptions and flexibility within the rules for medical reasons and emergencies but that people are encouraged to plan ahead as much as is possible.

Dyck noted that B.C. Transit has received a complaint and is handling that internally.

“We do apologize to the family for this situation,” said Dyck. “We expect all our drivers and staff to be professional and courteous at all times.”

Sequilla’s mother, Jennifer Stubbs, said B.C. Transit has left a voicemail but there’s been no visit or follow-up call.

Stubbs said she would like to see awareness training for staff on invisible diseases such as Type 1 Diabetes.

— Cindy E. Harnett, Times Colonist