Those students that really get to you

[MHDNURSE]

I work with a pretty vulnerable population, so I have definitely seen my share of heavy/difficult cases. I have a current second grade student who lost his dad to terminal cancer when he was in kindergarten. It happened very quickly- dad was diagnosed at the beginning of the Summer before Kindergarten and he died in November of that school year My student who is now in 2nd grade is the oldest. He has three other siblings (one was a newborn when the dad passed away). Mom works full time, has three jobs to make ends meet. She saved enough so they could move out of their tiny 1 BR apartment and found a much larger, nicer place. They arrived on May 1 to move in and the owner basically said "sorry, I gave it to someone else who is paying me more money per month". Mom was able to go to court with an advocate but they are only allowed to stay through May and then have to leave. So my little guy who is 8 was just brought down to my office, exhausted. He says to me "I just need to sleep for a little bit. I am SO tired. It's really hard being my dad" ? I asked him to tell me more and he said "I'm trying so hard to do what my dad did but it's too hard with school. I'm helping my mom with my brothers and sisters but I am too tired. I just need to sleep for a little bit". I had to excuse myself from my office and go cry in the bathroom. Seriously I just can't. Some of these kids today have NO idea how lucky they are and how easy they have it. I wish no kid would ever have to walk in this little guy's shoes. Ever. This will be on my mind for a long time.

[OldDude]

1 hour ago, Ashley_SF said:

As someone who lost a parent very young and had a mother that struggled to carry on. I can't tell you how much it meant to me to have a safe place at school with supportive adults who really helped raise me and my sisters.

Throughout the homelessness and my mother's drug abuse/arrests I successfully graduated high school near the top of my class. I am now a nurse of nearly 5 years. All of this was possible because of people like you.

This little one will grow up and remember the kindness and support you showed him and he will be stronger because of it.

Very kind and heart warming contribution from someone who has lived the struggle and, not only survived, but excelled. Thank you for sharing that Ashley!! ❤️

[Ashley_SF, BSN]

You're welcome @OldDude! Sometimes it's hard to see the difference we're making in people's lives and a little reminder is a nice boost ?

[Avill, BSN, RN]

All it takes sometimes is for just ONE person to know, and for ONE person to be there.

Thank you for being there!

[ruby_jane, BSN, RN]

In all my years in HS I only cried once - the time that the kid with sickle cell (who was doing his level best but it was worsening) lay on my cot moaning. He'd taken his narc medication, it didn't touch the pain and mom was coming but I could do nothing for kid who never let the condition bother him. It sucked.

Today I'm misty because:

1. A pre-K hugged my legs, bawling because "I'm not going to see you every day."

2. My most difficult to love child that takes meds brought me a really fancy cookie that says have a great summer. Mom and I have had a polite relationship but she is super-chaotic (apple did not fall far) and a lot of times I would bang my head after a conversation.

3. Another difficult to love child has upped the ante the closer he gets to leaving. He went from making himself sick to spitting, hitting and slapping. He's hollering in the principal's office now and I wonder what's happening at home that makes him behave this way at school.

1 hour ago, ruby_jane said:

has upped the ante the closer he gets to leaving

I see this a lot at my school. As we approach vacations, some of our kids really spiral out of control. It is hard knowing that some of my kids are dreading their Summer break because it means no food security, possibly abuse or neglect, and generally no routine or schedule ?