[unspecified] Thursday, May 08 2008
Ok so I just want to document this monumental day which lead to a breakthrough in what I want to do in life...Bear with me, my needs may not be your needs but today was one of those days where you feel like you actually have a purpose...I am a social worker/children's mental health type a deal, I've been working in an SBH (severely behaviorally handicapped=all the really really bad kids) classroom in an elementary school for several months now as part of my job...We are doing group therapy exercises and just providing some relief and safety for these mostly abused children who are behavior nightmares. I was sitting in my 3 hour long frighteningly stimulating Wednesday afternoon staff meeting ("you're not making productivity, we will begin writing up those of you who seem to not make productivity...") When the receptionist beeps in and says "excuse me, Sara you have an emergency phone call". Thrilled, I exuse myself as my co workers scoff at my luck and get to a phone...The teacher of the classroom is absent today and the substitute and aids and principal have a kid who has been throwing chairs, hitting teachers and other kids and has been out of control for several hours now (why didn't they call me sooner??)...This is not too atypical but apparently the kid hasn't calmed down and the police are being called...THey have the kid locked in the "time out" room which is a lockable room without windows where kids can go to "cool off" (kick, scream, cuss, bang on the walls...) This kid is one of my absolute favorites so i tell them I'll be right there...I fly over there as fast as I can behind a granny going about 12 mph and as I'm walking down the hall to the classroom can hear him banging and kicking the walls with his fists and legs and screaming. I get in the classroom and can't talk to the aide because his screaming and banging is so loud...We go out in the hall where she tells me not to go in there because he won't listen to anyone and he is out of control and might hurt me...I wait about a minute, hesitate and think to myself 1) I am crazy for being in this field 2) What harm can a 10 year old do? 3) alot 4) fuck it....I unlock the door which is shaking because of the pounding...I open the door and his eyes meet mine...A look of surprise comes over his little face....He stops all movement and I walk into the room...His bottom lip starts trembling and the next thing I know he's in my lap and i'm sitting on the floor...This boy doesn't cry, but big old tears welled up in his eyes as he explained his anger and everything that is wrong in his life...He just needed a little TLC and attention which he doesn't get at home....He was reluctant to let go and we sat in there for about a half an hour....THe aide kept poking her shocked face in to make sure we were ok....All i can say is progress...It comes when you least expect it but at least it happens occasionally....You can't save every kid all the time (as I would like to) but at least you can help a few kids who are hurting...And for that I say today was a damn good day.
