A Co Down school has welcomed back a P4 pupil after two years thanks to the creation of a specialised medical and relaxation room.
Gaby Irvine was born with a complex respiratory condition and congenital heart defect and was unable to attend class at Millisle Primary School for two years during coronavirus as she was clinically extremely vulnerable.
The youngster has had three open heart surgeries, and previously had a ventilator and oxygen with her when she would come into school.
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Now, the Education Authority has put in place a special room Gaby can come to when she needs to relax and receive specific medical attention.
The room has a live link to her P4 classroom, allowing her to see her classmates and continue learning when having to use her room.
Gaby was able to return to school in February 2022 after 24 months away when an approved vaccine for vulnerable children became available.
Her mum, Lyndsey Graham - who also works at the school as a classroom assistant - told Belfast Live about how having a specialist room in place is allowing them to get back to normal.
She said: "Gaby was born with a heart condition and has had three open heart surgeries, then she started in Millisle Primary School and Nursery and I came with her because she had a tracheostomy. At the time she had a ventilator and oxygen with her at school too so she's come a long way since then.
"When Covid started we had to isolate, because Gaby was considered clinically extremely vulnerable so we basically isolated two years to the day that we came back to school from when we left in P2.
"It's been helpful because I was worrying about her as she moved up the school about her being embarrassed about getting nebulisers or being on her ventilator. It's been really good to know she doesn't have to worry about that, or even if she gets tired we don't have to worry about finding somewhere for her or her being uncomfortable about it.
"It's been great to get back and having this room helps because she can still come to school even if we're worried about Covid. She can still come and do her lessons in here, and can still see her friends. It's just getting back to normal life again really."
During lockdown, mum-of-three Lyndsey looked after Gaby's medical and educational needs from home as the family isolated.
She added: "I feel like a weight's been lifted. It's been two years of being at home basically isolated. There were times during coronavirus where the numbers were quite low so we could maybe see a family member or have someone come to the house but that was very few and far between."
The principal of Millisle Primary School, Ian McManus, said Gaby is an "inspiration" and staff and pupils are happy to see her return to the school.
He said: "If Gaby's in class and she needs a bit of a rest, she can go to her classroom/relaxation room. She's got a sofa there, all her classroom materials, as well as a live link into class.
"I think everyone's become an expert in using Zoom, so Gaby has a Zoom link from Gaby's Room into the classroom if she needs it. She has an AGP (Aerosol Generating Procedure) room if she needs her trachea changed or anything medical she can go into her AGP room. Then she has her full-sized disabled bathroom with all those amenities as well.
"Gaby's return has generated excitement not just amongst her friends but across our entire school community. She demonstrates the highest levels of determination and bravery and is an inspiration to us all."
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