unusual challenges

well i'm sure that everyone experiences great challenges in their professions, but how many people do you know who have gotten bit by their students?

we have a student who kind of panics when he feels too uncomfortable. he'll get frustrated about an assignment or about it being too noisy. usually he gives warning and we can calm him down with a social story he reads, but yesterday he skipped the warning steps and went straight to pounding me on the leg. nothing serious happened because i was able to pin him to the ground (with others helping me eventually), but i do have a large bruise on my left arm from him biting me and some bruises on my left leg from him striking my leg and clawing at it to try and get ahold of me.

i feel like now that i've experienced the worst of it (this was the worst it has ever been), i can handle anything. i was really able to defend myself without harming him or allowing him to harm any of the other students in the classroom. i reacted with a clear mind and without too much struggle besides the fact that he is much taller/stronger than me. as soon as my adrenaline wore off, i was a little overwhelmed by the situation. during the whole thing, this student didn't show any vicious or malicious intent. he honestly looked confused and horrified and it broke my heart.

i am fine. don't worry. i can handle a few bruises. when i get home tonight i will post the daily development of the bite bruise on my arm. day 1 wasn't too bad, but it's getting darker and bigger, so we'll see. i also have to get a series of hepatitis shots that the district will pay for (he didn't break the skin because he bit through my shirt, but this is more just as a precaution).

26. i am blessed with clear and quick reactions to crisis situations.
27. i am blessed with a husband who takes care of me, even when he himself is sick.