#26: Elementary Years

Many violent stories–-cases of physical or sexual abuse, cancer, or a bullet-–involve a child whose life has been disrupted. My life was full of many disruptions. I experienced physical abuse nightly, witnessed domestic violence between my parents, and frequent middle-of-the-night police visits. As a child, I was filled with fear and anxiety; I was heartbroken and often unable to sleep at night. These regular occurrences led to me become that kid in school who would fall asleep in class or have little appetite to eat. Unfortunately, I was rarely met with empathetic educators. In fact, it wasn’t until third grade where that changed. 

As a whole, I would define my elementary school years as traumatic and unforgettable.
I can still recall how my first-grade teacher would use a metal fork to force feed me because she didn’t approve of me ‘wasting’ my FREE lunch. She would stab me in the roof of my mouth, causing it to bleed. My second-grade teacher would yell at me and send me out into the hall for the day with only my desk as punishment for nodding to sleep during lessons. At recess she would demand that I stand on the wall to watch my peers play. Not once did she ever ask WHY I was falling asleep. It may not be surprising that I received failing grades in all subjects. Others in the school treated me with more unkindness. My bus driver would become furious with me when I would miss my stop for falling asleep. 
 
It wasn’t until I was in the third grade that I had a teacher attempt to help me and who seemed curious about my behavior (instead of someone who just wrote it off and tried to punish me). My third-grade teacher was accepting and caring; she went out of her way to ensure I was learning. She would help me celebrate accomplishing a goal by awarding me a certificate. With the help of this teacher and my neighbor (who I will discuss in greater detail in my next post) I was removed from my abusive home and placed into foster care. 
 
There are so many children in this world silently suffering, and if you pay attention, you can see the signs. Those signs may manifest as ‘bad behavior.’ But by putting aside anger and judgment, you could make a difference in that child’s life. I encourage you to listen, be supportive and understanding, approachable, accepting, caring and take the time to get to know that child. BE THE PERSON YOU NEEDED WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD. I remember those who hurt me, but I carry those who helped me in my heart and seek to imitate them in my actions.  "One hundred years from now, it will not matter what my bank account was the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove... but the world may be a better place because I made a difference in the life of a child." -Forest E. Witcraft 

Until Next Monday...