Freshman Year

[diaperedpup69]

Remember your freshman year in high school? New school. New friends. I never could forget. My name is Matthew. I just turned 15 I am about to start high school, but I am different from everyone else. It started the day after 8^th grade ended.

As I ended my 8^th grade year my family and I were heading to my grandma’s house to celebrate Father’s Day. Father’s Day was the Sunday after school got out. My life took a turn. We were involved in a car accident. A drunk driver ran a stop light t-boning and then flipping my family CR-V. I don’t remember what happened that night or a few weeks later. Mid July I woke up from my coma.

When I woke up I was told my relatives were dead. My mom and dad died at the scene my younger sister a few days after. I was in shock. I spent the next two months in therapy. Remembering, walking, anything related to the brain. I have major brain damage according to my doctors.

Besides brain damage I have also learned that I can’t control my Blatter. Although I will still start in the 9^th grade. My brain functions/memory is as good as 5^th grader and my Blatter are as good as a toddler.

At home my grandma takes care of me. Since she is getting old she has hired a male nurse. I think he’s kind of cute. He helps with the therapy as well. I was bummed when I had to start school without Mark. My cute nurse friend, but I was told I needed a public school with special education.

My grandma and aunt has taken me to my new school. So here I am my new school. My freshman year. I haven’t seen my friends since the accident. I was let out of hospital 2 weeks before school started. I am wheeled into the main office to meet teacher assistant.

“Hi, I’m Matthew.”

 

[Wannatripbaby]

Brett Thompkins was 24 years old, fresh out of college with a Special Education degree, and filled with excitement to meet his first student he had been assigned to assist.

He was told the boy's name was Matthew and that he had rather severe disabilities that meant Brett would essentially be devoting all of his time to this one student rather than several. Well, he was going to give it his all, pouring out all the love and care he could muster on this one, special student.

The boy was wheeled in and introduced himself.

"Pleased to meet ya, Matthew. Can I call you Matt? It's fine if you'd rather it be Matthew. In any case, I'm Brett. And I'll be here to help you get a proper education." He reaches out and shakes your hand gently.

[diaperedpup69]

"I prefer Matthew, Sir" *reaches to shake hand as well*

[Wannatripbaby]

"Matthew it is!" He lets go of your feeble wrist. "And you don't have to call me Sir. It makes me sound like some kind of English Lord or something. Call me Brett."

[diaperedpup69]

"Ok Brett"

[Wannatripbaby]

"I've been assigned to help you with anything you need. But more than that, I want to be your friend, Matthew." He pats you on the shoulder.

[diaperedpup69]

*smiles* "That would be cool. I haven't seen my friends since the accident" 

[Wannatripbaby]

"Oh really? Mind telling me a bit about your friends?"

[diaperedpup69]

"I had many but I am having trouble remembeing their names even. I think I remember Jeremy and Hannah and Josh.." 

Since the accident I have had memory loss. "They won't like me now though. I am in a wheel chair." I close my eyes trying to hold back feelings and emotions. 

[Wannatripbaby]

"Hey now, I'm sure if they were your friends they'll still like you even if you're in a wheelchair." I smile at you reassuringly. 

[diaperedpup69]

"Yeah, right." I wonder if they even know what happened. "Its just I havent heard from them"

[Wannatripbaby]

"Well... Maybe they just didn't know what to say?" A pretty lame excuse... "Maybe they thought you died? In any case it's nothing to worry about until we confront them and see what happens.

[diaperedpup69]

I have difficulty with every task. Including dressing and feeding. "I'm not cool anymore. The fucker (drunk driver) took everything from me"

[Wannatripbaby]

"First of all, there's no need to use that kind of language. I don't care if everybody does it, that doesn't make it any less rude and unbecoming of a gentleman." Cursing, especially from children, was one of Brett's personal pet peeves.

[diaperedpup69]

"I'm sorry. Its how i feel." Just then Matthew Aunt came over. "He's right though. We have taught you better." She looks at Brett. "May we have a word with you?"

[Wannatripbaby]

"Uhh, yeah. Sure." He looks down at Matthew. "Be right back, kiddo."

He goes off to the side with his Aunt.

[diaperedpup69]

Principle. Matthew's Aunt and Grandma. As well as Brett are outside of the main office. "How old are you Brett?" 

[Wannatripbaby]

"I'm Twenty-four, ma'am."

[diaperedpup69]

"exactly." Looking at the priciple. "Matthew has many special needs. I need someone with more experience." 

[Wannatripbaby]

"Whoa now! I assure you I am properly equipped and trained to handle anything Matthew needs. I did spend several years preparing myself, after all. Now, why don't you tell me exactly what it is you're afraid I'm not qualified to deal with?"

[diaperedpup69]

"As you can tell he has a potty mouth. He can hold a pretty normal conversation. But he has little motor skills. We have to change and feed him. You can't leave him out of your sight." As the aunt is telling you what is. The principle steps in.

"I assure you, this will be Brett only student for the school year. He has received very special needs training. Not just education but developmental and physical as well."

[Wannatripbaby]

"That's right. I can assure you I'm more than qualified to take care of Matthew's needs. And more importantly, I'm excited to do so! I'll admit, this is my first real assignment. But I did plenty of hands on training in college. I promise you I will do everything in my power to take care of your nephew."

[diaperedpup69]

"That is re-assuring. I do want progress reports weekly though. Matthew lives with his grandma. But I have medical authority over him. By the way Matthew would need to see the nurse twice a day for check ups and for physical therepy. Can we go over his schedule?" 

[Wannatripbaby]

"Of course we can. That would be very helpful."

[diaperedpup69]

Principle pulls out a scheudle and hands to each. It reads:

730-745: homeroom

745-800: passing

800-930: Math

930-945: passing

945-1030: language arts

1030-1045: passing/nurse station

1115-1130: passing

1130-1215: lunch

1215-1230: passing 

1230-130: homeroom/study/private time

130-145: passing

145-230: science 

230: dismissal 

"Any questions?"