Peace, I Give You

I remember the day when Brendon, who is autistic, had one of his meltdowns. This time it was violent. Thankfully no person was injured, including Brendon and myself.

This is what happened:

I was tasked by my superior to do a last-minute administrative assignment, which meant leaving Brendon with my colleagues and his fellow students outside the art room while I escaped to the library computer. (Note: bad things seem to happen to these precious special needs children in or around art class. Why? I do not know).

Anyway, I told Brendon that I needed to leave, however, I would be right back. So, I left Brendon, who was in peace while patiently waiting to enter the classroom. Additionally, I advised my paraprofessional colleagues as well. This is important because I am 1-to-1 with Brendon. Teamwork is vital in our profession.

Heads nod in approval, and I hastily made my exit.

Moments later, as I was diligently doing my assigned administrative task, my cellphone vibrates from a text message.

“Mr. Terry, come back NOW because Brendon is having a major meltdown outside the art room!” (See parenthesized note in the first paragraph). So, off I go back to the fifth floor.

As I exited the stairwell and into the hallway, Brendon was indeed having a major meltdown. He’s ripping artwork off the wall; he’s throwing items off the table; he’s removing his clothing and throwing these items around, and he’s cursing like a sailor.

I was stunned. My colleagues were doing nothing to de-escalate the situation. They took no action. None, not even moving other students away from Brendon for their own safety. Instead, one came over to scold me for leaving Brendon. I didn’t retort because God gave me enough wisdom not to engage with fools.

I walked away from the colleague and softly slowly strode towards Brendon whose behavior has not subsided. By this time all eyes are on me as I approach Brendon. I gently called his name.

“Brendon?”

He slowed down the meltdown to make eye contact with me.

“Do you want to go someplace?”

“Yeah”

“Ok, we can go but you kinda made a mess here. Can I help you clean it up?”

Unconditionally and willingly, Brendon cheerfully started to clean up the mess all over the floor.

“Uh, Brendon, ya gotta put your shirt back on first, ok?.”

“Okay, Sorry”

After it’s back on, he approached, gave me a big hug and began weeping on my shoulder.”

As we were leaving the crime scene, the same colleague came over to finish her belittling scold to me. I let her make a fool of herself in front of others.

She finished while Brendon and I headed towards the stairwell.

Dear Father, as I wrote this, I am reminded of 1 Peter 5:2-4

Shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

“Thank you, God, Thank you too, Brandon. You are truly a blessing to me.”