I am an intervention specialist (Special Ed teacher) in the Toledo Public School District. I teach at Educare, our medically fragile program. I have 7 students ages 17-21. They are in my class because they have significant disabilities and medical needs. Some of them literally fight for their lives everyday. They are all non-verbal and have a range of "ability" levels. They and the other 10 students in our school, are the most amazing people I know. Although there are times when they drive me nuts with some of their behaviors, I love them to death.
Each and everyday I get to walk into a classroom where my inadequacies do not matter. Where my flaws do not matter. Where what other people think do not matter. My students live in a world where they are judged daily. People are uncomfortable around them. They avoid them. But everyday they get to come to a classroom where they are safe. Where they can be themselves. Where they do not have to worry about the evils of the world.
It is hard for me to tell people that I am a teacher. Because in my room, my students do the teaching. They teach me every single day. They teach me how to be simple, how to enjoy the small things, how to never give up, and how to LOVE.
The reality for my students is this: they have significant needs. Some of them more than others Some of them fight for their lives everyday. Last Friday, one of my students ventilators had a tube come loose. In a matter of seconds he was fighting for his life. I was alone with him in the hallway, thankfully I was able to get help and fix the machine. A simple loose tube on a machine could cost them their lives. But yet they still live heir life to the full everyday because they do not know anybetter. If i was put in their shoes due to an accident or illness, I am not sure I could live like them.
I know that I am in that classroom for a reason, I do not know that reason and will probably never know it. What I do know is that God chose to bless me and put me there. He chose ME to be around 7 of the most amazing people everyday. And when one student is ripping our her feeding tubes and another is holding his breath to purposely set off the alarm on his ventilator, God chose ME to show them the grace that he showed me. He chose me to experience the love that my students give everyone. He chose ME.
I hope that my you my friends find yourself in a job where you have a passion, calling, and desire to be. Where God teaches you something everyday. Because when you find yourself there, even the most difficult days are bearable.
Love Y'all,
Opher (Mr. Chris)
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