WV rights complaint filed

The mother of an elementary school student previously diagnosed with leukemia has filed a Human Rights complaint against the West Vancouver school board and Pauline Johnson elementary.

She says her son was discriminated against on the basis of his physical disability.

In her complaint, the mother -- who is also a teacher -- argued her son was not provided appropriate support as a childhood cancer survivor.

The mother also claimed that while her son attended the school, he was subjected to "inappropriate pressure" and criticism, which made him feel unwelcome at the school.

According to documents filed with the Human Rights Tribunal, the boy was first diagnosed with leukemia when he was in Grade 2 and attending school in Vancouver. He eventually returned to school.

However, when the boy was in Grade 4, and still receiving a maintenance dose of chemotherapy, a disagreement developed between the mother and school staff about the level of support he required.In September of 2008, the boy began attending school in West Vancouver and started going to Pauline Johhnson in January of 2009. But again, disagreements developed between the mother and school staff about the kind of support her son should have.

In April of last year, the boy fell while taking part in a physical education class on a wet field. "In her view, the injury demonstrated a lack of proper regard for his safety," according to tribunal documents.

The school board has filed documents defending actions of its school staff. The case is still in the preliminary stages.


(2010-08-07/North Shore News )