“So this will be your classroom. I was teaching in here all last semester and I kept buying things with the grant but I’m not 100% sure what everything is, I just know the IT guys told me it would be good for the students. Some things I know,” I say, gesturing around the room. “Like I sorted all the toolkits and started labeling the screw drivers over here, oh and I bought an electronic fire extinguisher..”
“A what?”
“An electronic fire extinguisher so if the kids set something on fire by chance, you can put it out without ruining the electronics. Which brings me to the next point. Fire alarms. Since you and I are going to be working together you should know a few things, like sometimes I can walk and sometimes I can’t. And you should know if there is ever a fire alarm, I will have my brain shut off, not be able to move and you should just get the kids out and tell someone where I am to get me.”
“Wait, really?”
“Well yeah, I mean you could ask one of the adults in the library to grab my arm and direct me but it’s kind of like my brain short circuits at the noise and lights and I get a few seconds before I have trouble speaking, processing language or moving. So, if you grab my arm, I’ll move with you really slowly or like I’m drunk, but you can also just tell someone else to get me. Unless the fire is in front of us, then I’d appreciate the assist.”
I pause.
“Oh, and when we get outside, I’ll temporarily look like I’m having a seizure. But don’t worry, I’m conscious.”
I notice he looks baffled.
“Um, and that kind of goes with if I get too cold, too hungry, too angry, um, unexpected noises… and if I hurt myself, like drop something on my foot… If any of those happen, I know what’s coming and will say something like, ‘Oh crap I’m too hungry,’ and start heading for the nurses office and tell you to find chocolate or something. You might need to walk me down to the nurse if my brain gets all wack. You’ll know though. It’ll be very obvious. And I always have medicine on me or in my bag. ”
“Ok, hold on, what if we’re not near the nurse?”
“Eh, almost everyone knows about it, or just read my bracelet and call one of the numbers or do what it says. So, shall I show you the IT room?”
“So this is a pile of junk,” I say gesturing at the pile of old IT equipment on a cart to move out. “Great fun to take apart though. I mean check out this old iBook,” I say grabbing it and swinging it up in the air only to have the battery fall out and crash on my foot.
“Ut oh. One..(stutter) moment.” I sit down, start spazzing. Short and sweet.
“Well, there you go, like that. Now you know,” I say, hopping up again to resume the tour.
“Yep. At least you warned me.”