Oldham mum urges school to make change for her son

Sharon Rhodes says she has been “through hell and back” with her five-year-old son Levi Lewis Rhodes who has picked up a series of chest infections she believes are related to his school and which has ended in multiple trips to the hospital.

The 47-year-old explained that she thinks her son, who was born with a bleed on the brain, contracts them when attempting to drink water from a cup at Halcyon Way School.

The school has said it "strongly rejects" the claim and "has always followed specialist advice" when it comes to caring for Levi's needs.

Levi Lewis Rhodes in an incubator due to being born with a bleed on the brain (Image: Sharon Rhodes)

Sharon said: "I'm really worried about sending my son to school because they are not listening to me and he keeps getting chest infections,

"I've told them he can't drink from a cup but they are giving him a proper cup at school and they've even pictured it."

Levi Lewis, with mum Sharon Rhodes and sister Crystal Rhodes (Image: Sharon Rhodes)

She explained: "Drinking from a cup is drowning him because he’s not got as much control from him.

"At home we give him a sippy cup and we don't let him run around while drinking it, he has to sit still and straight.Levi Lewis Rhodes pictured drinking from a cup at Halcyon Way School (Image: Sharon Rhodes)

"We have been seriously considering home schooling him now, they aren't listening to me, and it would be safer because right now, the school is putting my child's life at risk."

Levi was born with Silver Russell Syndrome, a rare disorder that affects growth after birth and is characterised by intrauterine growth restriction – when a baby does not grow in the womb as expected, and Sharon suspects he may also have cerebral palsy which she believes could explain why he has difficulty drinking.

Levi Lewis Rhodes in hospital due to a recent chest infection (Image: Sharon Rhodes)

Poor coordination of swallowing can result in food or drink going into the lungs, which in turn can cause chest infections or pneumonia.

According to the National Institutes of Health, children and young people with cerebral palsy are at particular risk of silent aspiration, with no obvious clinical signs such as coughing or wet voice quality.

Levi Lewis Rhodes (Image: Sharon Rhodes)

Due to the continuous stress on Levi's lungs, he has now been diagnosed with asthma and Sharon has been prescribed to administer both a blue ‘reliever’ inhaler, used for immediate relief of asthmatic symptoms, and a brown ‘preventer’ inhaler, used daily to stop symptoms and asthma attacks from happening.

A spokesperson for Halcyon Way School said: “The safety of pupils at Halcyon Way School is our highest priority and we would never knowingly put a child at risk.

“So, in Levi’s case we strongly reject the claims being made. We have always followed specialist advice when it comes to caring for his needs and we have listened to any and all concerns raised to ensure his safety and wellbeing.

“We of course want Levi to be happy and healthy and to come to school where he should be.

"We will continue to do whatever we can to ensure he can do that safely.”