Back to School — Hannah Beier

RELIEF, ANXIETY AS U.S. PARENTS CONFRONT EMOTIONAL BACK TO SCHOOL

Brian and Anne Martha Corley are among the many parents in the United States anxious about sending their unvaccinated children back to school. At Vestavia Hills City Schools, where masks are optional for the new school year despite a deadly COVID-19 surge in Alabama, the school policy has left the Corleys frustrated. Their youngest daughter, 8-year-old Ella Rose Corley, contracted an infection in early childhood that left her legally blind, and her past experiences with viruses have made her parents especially concerned about how she might fare if she contracts COVID-19.

Published in Reuters, this is a story I photographed, reported, and researched.

Ella Rose Corley, 8, plays in her bedroom in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, September 25, 2021. — Ella Rose Corley, 8, plays in her bedroom in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

The Corley family prays before eating dinner at their home in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, September 25, 2021 — The Corley family prays before eating dinner at their home in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

Ella Rose Corley reads brail as part of her homework in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, September 26, 2021. — Ella Rose Corley reads brail as part of her homework in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

Brian Corley reads to his daughter Ella Rose Corley, 8, before her bedtime while his wife Anne Martha Corley and their daughter Anne Grace Corley, 11, listen in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, September 25, 2021. — Brian Corley reads to his daughter Ella Rose Corley, 8, before her bedtime while his wife Anne Martha Corley and their daughter Anne Grace Corley, 11, listen in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

Ella Rose Corley takes medicine before heading to school in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, September 27. — Ella Rose Corley takes medicine before heading to school in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

Anne Martha Corley brushes her daughter Ella Rose Corley’s teeth in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, September 25, 2021. — Anne Martha Corley brushes her daughter Ella Rose Corley’s teeth in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

The Corley family pose for a portrait at their home in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, September 26, 2021. — The Corley family pose for a portrait at their home in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

Brian Corley plays with his daughter Ella Rose Corley, 8, at their home in Vestavia Hills, Alabama, September 25, 2021. — Brian Corley plays with his daughter Ella Rose Corley, 8, at their home in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.

Ella Rose Corley takes a horseback riding lesson in Bessemer, Alabama,September 25, 2021. — Ella Rose Corley takes a horseback riding lesson in Bessemer, Alabama.