FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL, PLEASE: Charlotte Reid is hoping to go to school with her sisters.
SUNNY Reid said she was gutted when she found out her daughter Charlotte would have to wait at least another six weeks to start kindergarten after the Department of Education told her they would not be able to fit Bowen Public School with the air conditioners she would need to stay alive.
Charlotte Reid has a condition so rare only 108 people in the world share it. She is allergic to sunlight and can not sweat.
Mrs Reid said her dreams were shattered when she heard the news that her daughter would have to wait to go to school.
“I had a dream of sending all my three girls together for their first day of school,” she said.
However hope is not yet lost.
The department contacted her and told her they may be able to provide temporary, portable air conditioners.
“They have been really helpful and really good at keeping me informed with everything that is going on,” she said.
A Department of Education spokesperson told the Central Western Daily that due to the warmer weather there was a high demand on air conditioners.
“The Department of Education has been working hard to arrange suitable school facilities for Charlotte since we were informed of her enrolment late in 2012”
“The department has arranged for rented portable air-conditioning units to be installed while the permanent air-conditioning is installed over the next month,” The spokesperson said.
Charlotte needs to get around in a fully enclosed scooter because of her condition. Bowen Public school does not have ramps that would enable Charlotte to get to her classroom.
She also needs tinted windows and handrail adjustments at the school.
The department said the that the ramps, window tinting and handrail adjustments will be completed before the start of the school year.
Mrs Reid said all of her fingers and toes were crossed so that her dreams may come true.