These kids…these students at my school that I care for…they have gripped my heart in a way I thought they would but not to this depth. These are the kids people turn away from at the mall so as not to stare, who look so very different than their typical peers or walk and talk differently. The ones in wheelchairs. The ones who wear helmets so they won’t hurt themselves. Students who yell and hit themselves and every other disruptive behavior out of the “norm”.
I feel fortunate that I get to work here. I’m even more thankful that I work 15 minutes from my house. It’s not a job for everybody. Things get messy, I get messy. And it’s ok. I get to care for these kids in a way I would want my own child cared for. I get to talk to parents in a way I would want to be talked to and have been talked to when I’ve been on the other end of the phone.
I’m also fortunate to work with a couple of great nurses who think nothing of helping each other out. The para professionals are top notch and really know their students. They accompany the students to the nurse’s office when necessary and I haven’t met one I didn’t like.
I never thought I’d like to go to work as much as I do. I like being here and interacting with such a diverse population of students of differing levels of functioning. If you told me as little as 5 years ago I would be working at this school as a nurse I would have thought you were off your rocker and something was wrong with you. I spent so many years trying to convince myself that nursing wasn’t for me. I just never looked in the right direction, or rather I never surrendered to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and let Him have his way with my life. Once I let go and let God, everything changed and it has been indescribable.
I’m looking forward to this Christmas with Thomas being in his new home. It’s a new beginning for him and us as a family.
Menay O; mom to 4, Christian and thrift shopper on the side... 