The past couple of weeks my co-worker Meg and I have been training nurses new to the Dept of Education. They have different nursing experiences and backgrounds but school nursing (District 75 in NYC) for special education and medically fragile students is a new experience. They're both very nice women and want to learn; so when they are training with us the time spent is pleasant.
While chatting one day, I mentioned that I have 4 children, the oldest of which is special needs. One of the nurses says that her son is also special needs and attends a D75 school and is doing very well. I was so happy to hear that. She asked me about my experience with Thomas when he was growing up. I tried to give a summary but those that know my story about raising Thomas know that there is no "short" version. I got up to the point where at age 11, Thomas had finished spending time at a residential school in Yonkers, NY. We were ready and eager to have him home but we didn't know what school to have him attend here. So my son commuted every day on the DOE's dime and school bus to Yonkers NY, but now as a day student; for a year. No one ever even mentioned a District 75 school here on Staten Island. District 75 was a big freaking secret. It still makes Tommy and I a bit angry when we talk about it.
At this point I paused and both the nurse I was talking to and myself were quiet. She spoke first and said wow, things have really changed since you went through that with Thomas, things today are very different. I was pleasantly surprised when she said that. I only know what I know. She then said, you know Menay, it's parents like you who went through that experience that paved the way for parents like me so that we don't have to go through what you did. I stayed quiet because I was afraid I would cry if I spoke. When I did speak I told her about parents I knew that came before me who paved the way for us with Thomas.
I never, ever saw myself as a parent who made life easier for those unintentionally following my footsteps. But I'm so, so glad our experience has made a difference.
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