Crystal Clarke

For the Love of Math: Louis’ Success Story “What is happening to his hair? He has bald spots. And his eyebrows are gone!” I could barely decipher the muffled whispers amidst the noisy shuffles of students down the hallway. I was making my regular morning rounds as supervisor and the students had just returned from Christmas vacation. They noticed immediately that there was something obviously wrong with Louis. I spoke to him in a casual manner, as I did every morning, trying to divert his attention away from the other students. I knew very well, as did the students, that Louis had his share of challenges, but what we were witnessing on this particular day was something surprisingly new and unexpected. --------------------------------------- Finding Me: A Wake-Up Call “This can’t be happening to me! No, no, no! He can’t be serious! How can he do this to me and to our family? What am I going to do?” So many thoughts and questions flooded my mind as I began to panic. I suddenly felt flushed and faint, as a hot, tingly feeling took over my body. I went completely numb. My eyes filled with tears and my hand shook as I pressed “end” on my cell phone. What had just happened? I was in complete shock and disbelief. A wave of nausea suddenly overcame me as I looked around my house in confusion. I had no idea what I was looking for or what to do. I was lost. I checked in on my 3 year-old daughter. She was sleeping soundly in her pink princess bed. I returned to the living room, sat on my sofa and broke down. The cries were uncontrollable as I sat there, probably for hours, having no clue what I would do next.