Mom told school mandatory for sick girl

ABERDEEN, Scotland, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- The mother of a girl with a disabling rare genetic disease is locked in a battle with Scottish authorities over school for her daughter.

Gemma Thomson, 10, suffers from Angelman syndrome and epilepsy. She cannot walk or talk and has been blind since a severe epileptic attack two years ago.

Local authorities say her mother, Caroline Thomson, could face criminal charges unless Gemma starts attending a school for special needs students a half hour away from their home.

"Social workers claim she is stimulated by having other children around her," Thomson said. "But I feel she is at her happiest when I'm around and I give her all the stimulation she needs."

Ian Rankin, a best-selling crime writer whose son has Angelman syndrome, supports Thomson. He said his son gets a lot out of the special school he attends in Edinburgh, but he believes parents know their children best.

"If parents are willing and able to take on the massive responsibility, emotionally and physically, of looking after their child full time because they honestly feel that is best for their child, they should have that right."