A little girl who has faced serious challenges her entire life is facing even more as the new school year is about to get underway.
Six-year-old Shelby Penney of Gander spent four years of her life in and out of the Janeway and Toronto Sick Kids hospitals. She has a weakened immune system and has survived organ transplants and cancer.
Shelby’s mother, Pamela Dalley, is worried about keeping her daughter safe while ensuring she gets the best education possible. She’s not sure if sending Shelby to school at this time will be the right thing for her.
Pamela Dalley spoke with Gerri-Lynn Mackey on the VOCM Morning Show:
Dalley has an older daughter who is excited to return to school. She questions whether Shelby can wear a mask all day, or whether her older daughter can wear a mask all day. Some parents are refusing to put masks on their children, while others have told her they believe it’s not wise to send Shelby to school.
Pamela Dalley says she’s not judging others, but she’s struggling with those questions, and deciding what is right for her daughter.
Dalley says because of the length of time spent in isolation in hospital, Shelby needs extra help with her developmental and social skills, and calls the situation “heartbreaking.” She says other kids will get proper learning opportunities, while she’s not sure if she has the resources to teach her daughter from home.
Dalley says all children deserve the same learning opportunities.