I think teachers would all agree that there is never a dull moment working with kids… with or without disabilities. Often times, my student’s abilities are underestimated, and when that happens, disasters always occur! Case in point, Kyle!

It was Thursday morning and our nurse came in to talk with me about one of my students. In taking a peek at another of my students, she comes out of the bathroom with a very concerned look on her face. “Do I need to be concerned about Kyle?” I was a little puzzled because Kyle was fine. The look on my face prompted another question, “With his family, is there something going on?” Then it clicked!!! I knew why our nurse was asking me those questions, and I started to laugh, “Yeah, Kyle is just fine!!!!”

Our activity on Wednesday was tie dying t-shirts. T-shirts were labeled with the student’s names on them, tie dye bottles were prepped and ready to go, paper spread out on the table, and design choices were ready for the students to pick from. After morning toileting and breakfast, we were prepped and ready to go. I grabbed a student, and my two paras each grabbed a student to work with as well. Everything was moving along smoothly until disaster hits!

I was in the kitchen finishing up my students t-shirt, and prepping for the next. My other para was putting the final touches on the t-shirt she was working on with her back to Kyle. Having finished with Kyle and his t-shirt, my para moved the tie dye bottles out of Kyle’s reach (so she thought) and proceeded to go to the kitchen to prepare for the next student. About 30 seconds passes, and I start to head back into the classroom, when I see Kyle with a tie dye bottle in his hands. A tie dye bottle that was once filled to the brim with purple tie dye in it!

Yep, you guessed it!!!!! Kyle grabbed the bottle of purple tie dye liquid, unscrewed the cap (yes, he is very adept at unscrewing tops off of anything) and proceeded to pour purple tie dye all on his shirt and shorts! I called his name and he immediately drops the bottle and look at me as if to say, “I ain’t doing nothing!” We get Kyle changed and cleaned up the best we could, and when his dad comes to pick him up, I let him know why his son’s stomach is a nice rich purple color! We were amazed at how quickly the purple dyed Kyle’s skin. I assured dad, that, although it might be a few days, the color would eventually fade and go away.

So now, it is Thursday morning, and Kyle’s tummy is no longer the rich purple it was the day before. It is now the color of day old bruises!!!! No wonder our nurse was a little concerned!!!