When Thomas began attending the Hungerford School we were so happy; after having him attend residential school for 3 years, then commuting daily to Yonkers for their day program for another year and half. We had no idea what school Thomas should attend when he was discharged from residential school. We had no guidance and no one ever mentioned District 75, not once. I didn’t even know about District 75, how it was the perfect fit for Thomas. I knew he didn’t belong in a typical school in “regular” special ed. But… Tommy and I weren’t aware of any other options.

Tommy was talking to our neighbor about Thomas commuting daily to Yonkers. Our neighbor’s son in law was a teacher at a D75 school 10 minutes from our house; The Hungerford School, serving ages 11 years to 21 years. This neighbor by chance conversation told us about the best school for Thomas!

I began calling the school to request a tour. I explained our situation. I was refused a tour, “we give tours to those who are recommended to our school”. My answer? Well how am I supposed to ask for a recommendation if I don’t see your school?? This went on for a couple of months. Finally I was allowed a tour. I fell in love with the school. It had everything I wanted! Vocational programs, a hands on bicycle shop, a classroom set up like a mini apartment to learn washing dishes and doing laundry, making a bed, and regular trips out in the community, everything. I requested a CSE meeting for change of placement and bam, done!

Thomas had the best teachers and paras and staff during his time at Hungerford. Everyone was very communicative, professional and encouraged independence. I had thoughts and visions of Thomas continuing attending school there, going to the prom and graduating. As usual plans that involve Thomas changed drastically.

One of his meds; the one that was holding him together; had to be discontinued due to a serious side effect. There was no way around it. As a result Thomas became violent and we had to place him in a different residential school. One for older students. Thomas was admitted shortly before his 16th birthday. The school was amazing and met all that Hungerford offered. It was a great relief.

In the meantime, life went on at home. After many years of being indecisive if I wanted to still be a nurse I applied and landed a temporary position for an RN with an agency. I was trained to transfer medical information from paper charts onto a specific computer program. It was great. Monday to Friday; 9-5, varying locations. I had to work in Brooklyn. After rarely to never parallel parking, I became an instant/fast learned and then a pro! You have no choice in Brooklyn.

I was laid off from the agency job. It was ok as it was a temp position. But; I missed making money, I missed working. I scoured the job site Indeed constantly. Then, there it was; a job posting for Registeted Nurses to work in D75 schools. I applied and then hemmed and hawed over hitting the submit button. I had an idea of what I was in for but not really. Finally I hit submit. The next day was an email requesting me to come in for an interview. Of course I said yes. All in one day I took a nursing exam, was interviewed and then hired! It was surreal.

Never did I think once I would be a school nurse. Never did I think I would work in a D75 school and to have that school be where my son was a student? Nope. The population I care for are medically fragile as well as student requiring special eduction services. I love it. I love being a D75 nurse.

There is a routine of timed procedures that must be completed everyday; but no day is the same. I worked 3 years in a neuro unit right out of nursing school. I never saw a person have a seizure. It took a week or two working at my school to witness a student having a seizure and two students do not present the same. I’ve responded to emergent situations where after the adrenaline has worn off I just want to sit, maybe cry, but I don’t.

When I wasn’t sure being a nurse was “me” I tried my hand at different jobs. I sold expensive designer sunglasses in high end retail, and I was good at it. But the job didn’t work out for my family’s schedule. Amazing how the only jobs that have worked out for me and my family were the positions where I worked as a nurse and did what I worked so hard to learn to do. God puts us where He wants us.