Salam was born in August 2015 with a rare genetic condition. Her family are originally from Syria and relocated from Lebanon to Portadown in 2018.
During her Primary 1 year she became seriously unwell spending three months in Belvoir Ward, Royal Victoria Hospital for Children. This resulted in Salam having to repeat Year 1 and eventually joining a new class where she remains currently. Over the past few years, Salam has continued to experience bouts of severe illness culminating in very numerous hospital stays alongside regular outpatient appointments. Salam is now in Primary 3 and unfortunately, this school year has been particularly difficult for her. Since the beginning of 2024, Salam has been battling an acute infection in her brain and on Friday 2nd February, she was moved to the paediatric intensive care unit in RVH where she remains currently.
Despite all of this, whenever Salam is in school, she is an absolute joy to be around, bringing a smile to all she encounters. She loves colouring in and writing sentences about her mum and dad. Our class, and in fact the whole school, is not the same without her cheeky personality and infectious giggle.
As a school community in St John the Baptist PS, we want to support Salam’s family with some of the financial costs incurred by having a child in hospital long term. Therefore, we have decided to hold a ‘SMILE FOR SALAM DAY’ on Friday 1st March 2024. Children are invited to come to school in their own clothes where they will partake in fun activities in class to bring a smile to their faces. Salam loves jewellery, nail polish and all things pretty – feel free to wear your fanciest outfit and dress to impress!
ALL children are asked to bring £1 on Friday. We also attach the link to our Crowdfunder page which we hope you will all generously support. We’d appreciate a share with family and friends too.
Thank you so much in advance for your kindness. Please keep Salam in your thoughts and prayers.
https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/smile-for-salam
