A little girl who’s 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 hospital.
Shelby, who has a weakened immune system, 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.
Dalley has an older daughter who is excited to return to school and questions whether her children can wear a mask all day. She says some parents are refusing to put masks on their children, while others are telling her it’s not wise to send Shelby to school.
Pamela Dalley is not judging others, nor does she wish to be judged, but she’s struggling with those questions and what’s right for her daughter.
Dalley says because of the length of time spent in isolation in the hospital, Shelby needs extra help with her developmental and social skills. Dalley calls it “heartbreaking.”
She says other kids will get the proper learning opportunities, while she’s not sure she has the resources to teach her daughter from home. All children deserve the same learning opportunities says Dalley.