I seem to have entered the Twilight Zone.

[syncretistfool]

The new job I started in May has been fascinating so far. It is just what I wanted in terms of very present-tense, in the moment work. It is very demanding while I'm there, but I don't carry stress home with me. I like the people I work with a lot. The main concerns that I've had are that the directors (especially my direct supervisor) are nigh

Comments

[anonymous]

Thanks for clarifying that. I assumed they required you to retrain in such a situation. I wasn't there so it is totally unfair of me to second guess your choices, but it seems like number 2 could have some truth to it. You are right, having had the option they aren't liable and it wouldn't be fair to to them to sue.

I don't believe you should go back to that job. Once you've had a bad back injury you have a bad back and that's not a good job for someone with a bad back.

* * *

When I was hired at Pius XII I made it clear that I would not use force on a child even to restrain and refused the training. When asked, what if he is trying to kill me I said, well, if he's any good at it I'll die.

It was the first time these guys ever had an art program. The administration didn't think the tough street kids, drug dealers, car theives, & gang members for the most part, would have any interest in an art program but they flocked to it. It existed because I was willing to run it and I had to create every project for them. My second day I had a group using exacto knives.

One kid took up the exacto knife and threatened to stab me with it if I didn't give him my car keys and unlock the door to the parking lot. I told him I wasn't allowed to do that so he stabbed me about 6 inches under my collar bone. One of the other kids ran and called for security of his own initiative.

I looked at the kid holding the exacto knife, the inch long blade red with my blood and he looked terrified. I was so shocked by it all I didn't feel anything yet. Calmly, I said, "Do you feel better now?" He said he didn't, and I said then there won't be any need to go that again."

About that moment the security guard ran in, I told him it was a freak accident, I stumbled just as he was turning around and it was totally my fault, but that I needed someone to watch the kids while I got a bandaid. (actually it was a butterfly, kind of a stick on stitch).

The security guy knew what really happened but couldn't do anything to the kid without my saying so. I wasn't too sure I wanted to go back the next day but it turned out it was the best thing that could have happened to me. From then on, the kids all treated me like someone who was on their side against the crummy system.

Go figure.

[thatpoetrykid]

woops, I wasn't signed in. That was me.