Isaac (The Boy Who Only Sleeps and Rages)
In his 10 short years of life, Isaac already has faced difficult circumstances. His father is incarcerated. His mother is drug-addicted. His sister has been removed from the home. His family has been homeless. He is diagnosed with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Oppositional Defiant Disorder. He is two grades behind and has been removed from school on countless occasions. He has undergone three psychiatric hospitalizations. Hospital staff describes him as the “boy who only sleeps and rages.” School staff is skeptical that he will find success in public school.
Nobody knew how to reach Isaac. He couldn’t make it in school. Nothing seemed to work. For seven long months Isaac’s PASSWORD Mentor went to school with him everyday, sitting beside him and working to connect with this angry boy who never smiled. Isaac wrapped a cord around his neck and tried to hurt himself. Once again, he was hospitalized. The Mentor brought his clothing and personal items to the hospital because his mother forgot. When Isaac returned to school, an administrator suggested therapeutic horseback riding. As he and his Mentor drove into the country toward the stable, Isaac felt afraid. Where were the familiar landmarks of his inner city neighborhood? Who cared about a dumb old horse anyway? Isaac tentatively approached the horse. His look softened when he learned that the horse had been abused. He could understand. Later, when horseback riding sessions ended, one door remained open for Isaac. Compassion, one of Isaac’s passwords.
