Momma Dodd- Not a teacher that is at school only to teach, but an individual striving to make a difference outside of school studies. September 1 came along. That morning, I walked into Momma Dodd’s room wearing a yellow collared shirt with my hair braided in yellow ribbons. “Oh, it’s September!” I didn’t really think much of when she said that.
After the bell rings for first period and I tell her goodbye, Momma Dodd began talking with a clump of people in the hallway. “Wear yellow this month for National Hydrocephalus Awareness Month,” she said, still with her arm around me.
4th period, I had her class and she announced: “This month is Hydrocephalus Awareness Month. Hydrocephalus is water on the brain. It is a condition that can be devastating. Someone I know has Hydrocephalus and they are one of the sweetest people I know. What I am asking is for you to wear yellow this month.
Tomorrow, I will bring yellow ribbons to wear.” As she spoke, I could feel my cheeks get slightly warm. Some of my classmates even asked questions. After the bell rang, I went to give Momma Dodd a hug and thanked her. Then, she said, “I’m telling all of my classes.” She had the idea of writing something for the school announcements about Hydrocephalus. I agreed but wasn’t exactly sure what I was getting myself into. During lunch, she talked to my English teacher about wearing yellow for the cause.
September 2, 2010- I got into Ms.Dodd's room before school. She gets out a roll of yellow ribbon and safety pins and I cut the ribbons till the entire roll was used. When the warning bell rang, she ushered her students over towards her and pinned the yellow ribbons on their shirts. "Thank you," I said. "We are going to make a difference," Ms.Dodd told me. 2nd period comes around and morning announcements come on. After the pledge and school announcements, a different voice came on the speaker "Is September just another month? Other than 9/11, Labor Day, and birthdays, what else is there? Hydrocephalus..." I heard my announcement being read over the intercom. I was slightly nervous, but glad I did it. Throughout the day, I noticed more and more people wearing yellow ribbons, even people I didn’t know. IT WAS AMAZING!!!! Ms.Dodd was wearing the yellow ribbon I gave her last year.
September 3, 2010-after school, I went to Ms.Dodd's room. "There is 50 yards yellow ribbon walking around the hallways," Ms.Dodd told me. I just about cried because I was so overwhelmed in how much people wanted to help. "WE did this. You inspired me to do it because you keep on fighting,"
September 7,2010 - Last night my friend Theresa told me that she had a surprise for me and wouldn’t show me till lunch , so of course I was quite clueless. I go into Ms.Dodd's room before school and when Theresa saw me, she told me to turn around. My friend Shelbie knew as well. Later that day, during 4th period, while we were watching a movie for genre class, Theresa sneaks in. I caught a glimpse of Theresa's yellow shirt until "Madalyn, turn around," Ms.Dodd told me. I knew she was in on the surprise to. Then she and Theresa went out in the hallway. When the lunch bell rang, “You are in on the surprise," "What surprise?" Ms.Dodd asked me.
I knew she was kidding about that. Diana meets me in Ms.Dodd's room and we head to the bathroom. While we were walking there, I noticed Theresa walking next to Dr.Branch (our principal) "Whatever this surprise is you are standing right next to me”, I told Diana and she agreed. As we walked up to the cafeteria door I noticed Theresa was looking out.
All of a sudden the cafeteria fills with claps. Diana stood near me and clapped as well. Then there was Theresa and I noticed she had something in her hand. It was a shirt. It had a picture of me with a yellow ribbon and on it read: "My name is Madalyn and I am living with Hydrocephalus” And all around my picture many people signed. As Theresa hugged me and gave me the shirt, Dr.Branch spoke, but of course I was too focused on keeping my tears back. Once I sat back down at the lunch table, Theresa and I looked at my shirt more closely and read what people wrote. "Get well soon" and "I love you" were just a few that many wrote from many teachers and students. Diana told me that she knew the whole time. "I almost cried when I was giving it to you," Theresa told me. I am so blessed to have such great friends!!! THANK YOU FOR FIGHTING WITH ME!!!
September 8, 2010- Before school starts, I go to Ms.Dodd's room, sit down and read. Shelby calls Ms.Dodd out in the hallway. Uh-oh. I think it’s me involved. Then Shelbie comes over and hands me a folded up present. I unfolded it. It was a beautiful shirt she had made in my favorite colors -purple, blue, and yellow. I LOVED IT!! I could feel myself shaking and Ms.Dodd smiled. Still next to me, Ms.Dodd says "We need to do another announcement” and I smiled. I am truly blessed to have friends like you guys!!!! Thank you!!!
September 9, 2010- The announcement I wrote that was spoken during the morning announcements: "Have you ever thought about how important freedom of expression is? Hair length, hairstyle, and makeup are just a few. Do we take them for granted? When a Hydrocephalic needs a new shunt, one half or their entire head may be shaved, regardless of gender. Undergoing several hospital visits and surgeries .Memories of these experiences can be quite vivid and forever scarring. Please continue to wear yellow .Thank you for your support" Each day in September, Momma Dodd always had a yellow ribbon pinned to her shirt. The word about Hydrocephalus spread throughout the faculty and student body of Clear View. Because of Momma Dodd’s “Yellow Ribbon Epidemic,” I now know that I have an entire school of support. Most importantly, the word about Hydrocephalus was spread.
As my senior year continues, Momma Dodd continues to have an open ear to listen, knowledge to give advice, a shoulder to lean on, open arms for a hug, and a hand to squeeze during times of pain and hold on the rest of my Hydrocephalus battle. Momma Dodd, not just a teacher, but a special individual full of compassion ready to take action.
