my prom night with Breezy

I have the opportunity to work with several different students through out the day. One of the students is a very special girl named Alyssa "Breezy" O'dell. Breezy was born with syndrome called Keratitis-ichthyosis-deafness syndrome (KIDS). KIDS is a rare and serious skin disorder that has very serious and some times fatal side effects. Breezy is deaf, mostly blind, has thick red skin that is cracked in many places, she does not have any sweat glands so over heating is always a scary possibility, she can't grow hair and she has a multitude of other health related problems. All of these heath problems are things that she has to live and deal with everyday. Breezy misses lots of school because of all the complications (mostly because of her very bad immune system and the many infections she gets). Despite all of these health problems Breezy is extremely kind, and compassionate. She always wants to know how my kids are doing specifically how Jake is doing with his psoriasis. Breezy has a very positive outlook on life and her future. She is a senior this year and has plans to do great things with her life. Breezy has a great sense of humor and like me, loves to tell a good story. Breezy is very bright and has such a thirst for knowledge. Many times I will come into class and she will already be there waiting for me. When the class stops for the day Breezy often has questions about different news stories she has been reading about that she wants to discuss with me. I have to really stay up on my current events to keep up with her. We have lots of fun talking to each other when there is free time in class.

The past month Breezy has been very focused on prom night and all of her big plans. I have heard all about her dress, hair plans, and dinner plans. Breezy was having some difficult time with finding someone who would go with her to the prom. She thought she had someone to go with and then she would come in the next day saying that it didn't work out. As the prom grew closer her escort was still a little unclear. About three days before prom was scheduled Breezy said she had an old childhood friend who had agreed to go with her. She also said her mom would be going to dinner with them and possibly be going to the prom to help be her eyes and ears. I got to thinking and decided I wanted to go to the prom with her and her friend and have to opportunity to make sure Breezy had the time of her life. Last night was the big night and we had a blast!

I was a little unsure of what I would wear for the big night. I am very much a jean, t-shirt, hoodie kind of girl. I was told by my friend Danielle that there was no way I could wear a hoodie to the prom. I didn't have much time or desire to go out and buy something more formal so I called up Danielle and checked out her options. She had a few things that might work but really didn't look right on me. I really appreciate you letting me rummage through your closet Danielle... if you are ever in the need of a t-shirt or hoodie feel free to come by and check out my collection (I'm afraid it's all I've got to offer). So last minute (like an hour and a half before I was suppose to be there) I ran to a store to try and find some top to wear with a white skirt I already had. I HATE clothes shopping by the way especially with kids and when I'm in a hurry. I ended up buying a "slightly nicer" t-shirt and I called it good. I then ran home for hair and make up Jake asked why I was getting all dressed up and I told him I was going to prom. I asked Jake if he thought I would have a chance at prom queen (I love asking him questions like this because he is just too sweet to disappoint me so he kind of tells me a white lie so not to hurt my feelings). He thought for a moment and then said, "I would say you have like a 5% chance but ONLY because you're not a student." As soon as Jeremy got home to watch the kiddos I was out the door to the civic center. When I arrived this is what I saw... who knew (I really feel sort of cheated... I would have rocked my hoodie, oh well there's always next year)

Breezy and her friend were already there as well as five more of my deaf students. They all were really nice everyone was just hunging out together talking, dancing, and eating. No one was left out and no teenage drama (which is just how I like it). Breezy was so cute, she told me to look out for some of the kids that she knew so I could point them out for her and she could say hi. We went around saying hello to everyone and taking pictures with them. Breezy really wanted to get a picture with her English teacher Mr. Paddock who is 7 feet tall. He was very obliging to her request, I thought the picture turned out really cute.

I was also able to describe some of the trashier dresses for Breezy we had fun with a little people watching. Breezy didn't sit down much she was on her feet dancing for most of the night. I took lots of pictures for her and her mother. All in all the night was a huge success. We ended the evening with dinner at IHOP and I came home at about 1 am EXHAUSTED!!

Have I mentioned before that I love my job?