Perfect attendance award? Not for this kid if his mom has anything to say about it.

Remember being in grade school as a child, and there was always that one kid who went to class regardless if they had a fever, cough, or were in the throws of an epic flu that would have killed a water buffalo? As if this kid was a superhero? No one liked that kid, least of all me, because I inevitably became sick from that kid.

But the following story isn't quite the same.

Rachel Wright is a U.K. author and mother of a young child who has been lucky enough to actually have good health. As a result, her 10-year old son, JJ, has never missed a day of school, for which the school wants to award him. Rachel Wright, though, refuses to allow her son to be bestowed for such an honor.

In a blog post, Wright explains her rationale and why she's denying the award ceremony:


"In this family you are not shamed for ill health, vulnerability or weakness. In this house you are not encouraged to spread germs when you are not well. In this house we look after ourselves and the weakest amongst us.

Can you imagine a work place that at the end of each week marked out all the people who hadn’t been sick? Where all the departments with the least number of people off were rewarded – in front of everyone else? It happens in schools all the time.

Can you imagine what kind of atmosphere that would create with people who had days off because of bereavement, mental health problem or chronic conditions?

What on earth are we teaching our kids about value and worth? What are we teaching them about looking out for each other and looking after the sick or disabled in our community?"


The whole matter of being lucky enough to have good health is further compounded because JJ's brother, and Wright's other son, 11-year old Sam, was born with cerebral palsy.

Wright told ABC News the meaning behind the blog post. "I was trying to spark a conversation about what 100 percent attendance teaches our children about health, values and those who suffer long term conditions."

Now, if only this resonated with parents who had a kid with a cold and kept them at home, those who only value praise and adoration over health and wellness, we all might be healthier and happier. Water buffaloes included.