Magnet boy Shane Peters turned away from St Nicholas School
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A teenager who has
to carry a magnet to stop him fitting was turned away
from a Canterbury school after being told he was a health and
safety risk.
Shane Peters, 17, was told he was a danger to other people as
the magnet could set off pacemakers in pupils and staff.
Shane underwent a Vagus Nerve Stimulation (VNS) operation at the
beginning of February to help control his fits.
The epilepsy treatment involved a small generator being
implanted in the skin below the left collar bone.
When taking her son back to school, full-time mum Michelle
Bingham, 42, filled in a medical form and also explained to staff
what VNS is and how and when to use the magnet.
But on Friday morning, after already being back at school for
two days, Mrs Bingham was asked to take Shane home.
The mother-of-seven, who lives with husband Adrian and five of
her children, said: "The school claimed there were issues with
health and safety, because it was dangerous for the magnet Shane
has to carry with him to be within a foot of people with
pacemakers.
"Apparently one person with a sensitive pacemaker had already
been affected.
"I rang King's College hospital, where he had the operation, and
spoke to the epilepsy nurse, who said that unless the magnet is
within an inch of the pacemaker it will not affect it.
"If the magnet was as 'dangerous' as they said is was then
surely he wouldn't be able to go out in public.
"Shane has been through so much and was so confused and upset.
He thought he was being punished and didn't understand why he
couldn't go to school like his brothers and sisters.
"The school had known for a long time what the operation
involved and what it would mean when he returned. There was plenty
of time for them to get the medical support and information they
needed to manage the situation."
The story does have a happy ending, however, as Shane was
expected to return to lessons at the St Nicholas unit on the
New Dover Road educational campus, on Wednesday after the school
told Mrs Bingham that the magnet had been deemed safe.
But Mrs Bingham added: "I am over the moon Shane can go back to
school, but I'm angry he was put in this situation.
"The operation was supposed to improve Shane's life - not put it
on hold."
Head teacher of St Nicholas school, Daniel Lewis, said: "We
regret that Shane was unable to attend school and this is not what
we wanted to happen.
"When we realised what would need to be done to manage his
condition if he became unwell, we had a duty of care to both Shane
and other members of the school.
"We had no choice but to have him kept at home until we had the
medical advice needed to manage the risk."
Thursday, March 11 2010
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