Lanir Smith could barely walk when he joined Heron Bay Primary School. Now aged 7, he can complete three races in a day

It didn’t take long after joining Heron Bay Primary School for Lanir Smith to make progress in the face of a debilitating condition, but that work could be undone in an instant if his school was to close.

This is the view of his parents, Alana and Shawn, who have watched their boy blossom at Heron Bay, thanks to good friends and teachers, an expert team of therapists and an intimate setting that is ideal for his needs.

Lanir, 7, could barely walk when he joined the school at the age of 5. Yesterday morning, two years after that first day of primary school, he was participating in several running races during what could be the school’s last sports day event.

Heron Bay is one of four schools that could be closed as part of the Bermuda Government’s school reorganisation plan, which his parents believe would have a particularly adverse effect on their son.

Lanir was born with hydrocephalus, which means he had water on the brain. An MRI scan soon revealed his condition was being compounded by a large arachnoid cyst forming on his brain that was pushing his ventricles to one side.

At just ten months old, he had to undergo his first surgery to have the cyst lanced.

A few months later, he was flown to Boston’s Children’s Hospital to have a shunt inserted into his head to help to relieve pressure on the brain caused by fluid build-up. When fluids continued to accumulate, Lanir’s body began to shut down and he was rushed back to Boston to have an expanded shunt inserted.

“The baby was limp,” Alana recalled, with tears in her eyes. “Everything started to shut down ­— his eyes weren’t focusing, he wasn’t responding.

“His brain was damaged. It affected the way he walked, his fine-motor skills, his speech — the brain doesn’t always connect so these things can work.

“His leg was thrown off as a toddler, so his balance was completely off. He would plant himself on the ground and wouldn’t move unless he was on solid ground.

“He is still very conscious of falling, as he had also suffered from seizures. He had mild, ‘baby seizures’. One day, he had about 20 seizures.”

Just three months after joining Heron Bay, supported by physical, occupational and cognitive therapists, Lanir began to make excellent progess. He started to walk unassisted and was even able to walk up and down stairs by himself, which was seen as a significant milestone.

Yesterday Lanir competed in the 50-yard-dash, the ice cream cone race and a relay race. While he may have come last, he passed the finishing line with a beaming smile across his face.

“He does it smiling,” his father said. “You would think he was running May 24! His spirit is awesome; he is very happy here.”

Asked why they were so concerned about Lanir’s school closing, Alana said: “It would be like him starting all over again.

“He told me, ‘I don’t want my school to close’. It hasn’t really hit him. He would be devastated and it would take him a while to be able to cope again.

“He would have to learn a whole new system, where everything is, how to navigate ... It will be more disruptive for him because of his challenges. Everyone at the school knows his history and his needs — they have to. Everybody helps, even the kids.”

Shawn added: “He could be separated from his friends. He is a happy-go-lucky guy, a social butterfly — a little too sociable, sometimes! This is his home right now. I had him in the barbershop the other day, a few kids popped in and said, ‘Hey Nursy!’ That’s his nickname. They all look out for him.

“He will have to move on eventually once he gets to P6, but you can’t split up the little ones.

“One of his best friends is called Andrew — he calls him his brother. Another friend, Genesis, knows his issues and doesn’t let anyone bother him — he will defend him against some of the bigger boys.

“We have another school right next to our house but Alana had some good reasons for choosing Heron Bay and the small size was one of the main ones. There is one big support system here.”

Alana said: “I would be worried about his academic standards. He is a bright boy and has come a long way.”

Lanir took a moment out of racing yesterday to say what he thought of his school: “I love doing my work and my spellings.

“My brother’s name is Andrew — he is my best friend. I would feel surprised and sad if my school closed. I don’t want to be sad.”

Lanir’s parents both believe the Government should find alternatives to closing any schools in Bermuda, especially primary schools.

“Why do we want to make mega primary schools?

“Us parents have to stand up and fight, and share with these guys the difficulties that will come about.

“A good way forward would be an adopt-a-school policy.”