Teenage boy with heart condition which leaves him tired and dizzy 'written off by school as lazy'
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A mother has accused teachers of writing her teenage son off as lazy – despite him suffering from a heart condition which leaves him tired and dizzy.
Thomas Wynne is studying film, media and law and is retaking his second year after 18 months of health problems.
Despite previously being in good health, last January the 18-year-old from Bebington, Wirral, was diagnosed with dilated cardiomyopathy and had surgery to correct an irregular heartbeat.
The condition restricts the heart’s ability to pump blood efficiently.
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Mum Lynne said he was trying to build his strength back up but is often five minutes late and has missed lessons.
And he now faces disciplinary measures as a result from ther Sixth Form College in Birkenhead, the Liverpool Echo reports.
The college told the ECHO it was unable to comment on individual cases but stressed the support it offered to students with different needs.
Lynne, 39, a former teacher in a further education college, said: “He looks fine so they think he must be a lazy teenager.
“In November they agreed to put a support plan in place for Thomas and said they would take him off the automatic system which records him as absent if he’s late. They also said he would have one to one meetings.
“But last week he went to a meeting with his tutor and she asked him how things were, then said: ‘Well that sounds like it’s not your health condition that’s distracting you from college, I’m going to take you off the support package’.
“He was given until Wednesday to complete work that other kids have got until February to do.”
Thomas is still on medication for his condition and had an operation at Liverpool Heart and Chest Hospital in April to correct his irregular heartbeat.
In a further setback in September, he contracted pneumonia and spent five days in intensive care.
Lynne said Thomas is slowly getting back to normal – and has secured a Sunday job at Marks & Spencer – but is still fatigued and weak.
She said: “He’s never had any health problems but coming up to his second year at college he couldn’t get out of bed and was sleeping all the time.
“In January he was diagnosed with heart failure and doctors think he had a flu virus that affected his heart.
“Thomas getting pneumonia when he did was the worst luck. He’s gone back to college and has been doing his best but he’s not 100%.
“He’s still on a couple of drugs for his heart and they’ve said it’ll be a year to two years before he gets his strength back.
“I’ve explained everything to them 100% of the way. I’ve gone in for meetings and sent in information about his condition, but I’ve had texts, calls and e-mails from them.”
She added: “If he was in a wheelchair, people would be understanding, but all they see is a 6ft teenager who looks fine.
“I’ve tried to work with them every step of the way. I’m not one of those moaning mums who thinks my son is perfect – but he nearly died.”
Kathryn Podmore, Principal at the Sixth Form College, Birkenhead, said she was unable to comment on individual students because of pupil confidentiality.
She said: “We work extremely hard to support all students and we have an excellent track record of working with students that do have additional support needs, and that can be evidenced through how successful they have been.”