Hayley, a determined mum from Suffolk, is sharing her daughter Camille’s journey to raise awareness about the social isolation many children with brain tumours face. Diagnosed with an Ependymoma brain tumour at just 16 months, Camille has endured treatments like surgery, radiotherapy, and chemotherapy. While she kept up with her peers in primary school, the pressure mounted when she fell behind academically, leading to heartbreaking social isolation.
Being left out of birthday parties and friend groups took its toll. Hayley said, “Seeing Camille not invited to parties we knew were happening was one of the hardest things we’ve dealt with.” While staff did their best to include her, they couldn’t force friendships. Thankfully, when Camille reached high school, things improved slightly as she met others facing similar challenges through the Special Educational Needs team.
Going back to school can be a daunting experience for children recovering from brain tumours. Tom’s Trust, a charity dedicated to providing psychological support, highlights the difficulties these kids face with missed social moments due to medical appointments and treatments. Anna Roberts, a psychological wellbeing practitioner, emphasised how their team collaborates with schools to ensure children like Camille are comfortable and supported. They attend meetings, assist in understanding cognitive challenges, and help reintegrate students into the school environment.
Camille’s experience sheds light on the urgent need for greater awareness and understanding from both parents and schools to offer better support to children and families facing such daunting battles. Let’s spread the word and make sure no child feels alone in their fight. 💪💕