Rowan Helps Kids With School Masking

As many kids head off to school this fall there are questions about their masks. How will teachers get them to keep the masks on? How will it affect a child to be wearing a mask the entire day?

No one has all of the answers, but families can learn a thing or two from Rowan Neumann. Rowan has been wearing a mask for most of his life. Diagnosed with ALL/MLL Leukemia at just 22 months old, Rowan relapsed twice. He wore a mask everywhere, even outside. But he got through it.

Rowan recently shared advice with ABC12 News in Flint to help other kids adjust to life with a mask. Rowan says it’s best to make the mask fun.

“I have two different masks. One is my dog mask and it’s the same breed as my dog at home,” said Rowan, adding the mask can even spark a friendship. “You could say, I like your mask and I like dogs too. Let’s be friends.”

Rowan suggests if you can’t find a special mask, you could just get fabric markers and a bag of plain masks and draw on them to make your own. He also says remembering why masks are important helps. Remind kids that wearing a mask keeps them and others healthy. Parents can also praise their children for doing a good thing. For Rowan, a mask has been a necessity in life.

He is now doing well and will return to school himself – wearing his dog mask.

Have a great year, Rowan!

All of us at Hurley Children’s Hospital hope your child has a great, healthy year too.