Bad Hair Day

Written by Elaine M. Gibson

I read the "Bean Bag Story". I had to laugh - not at Tammy Ratcliff but with Tammy. I too have challenges in everyday living with an ADD child. Once I finished Tammy's story, I remembered when my Terrica cut her hair at the age of 6. It was not the fact that she cut her hair but the creativity in her story.

Most A.D.D. children act on impulse - they do not think things through. In saying that, they tell on themselves if you let them keep talking. Without any further delays, let me set the stage for ...

Terrica's first year in school (kindergarten) is when I learned that Terrica could be diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder. I did not know about A.D.D. Although I always knew that Terrica's behavior was beyond the "bratty behavior patterns", I was actually relieved to hear about A.D.D because then I could get professional help.

At the end of the school year, Ms. Henry and I had gotten to know each other very well - common denominator - Terrica. We decided that we could tell what kind of day Terrica had had, by the way her hair looked at school closing.

I would style Terrica's hair everyday - two ponytails; three ponytails; I dream of Jennie ponytail. Of course, the color of the ribbons or rubber bands matched her clothing. During the course of the day, she would take the rubber bands out, unbraid her hair, and untwist her hair. She has gone as far to cut her hair. Let the story to be told.

Terrica came home from kindergarten one day, when I noticed her bangs had been unevenly cut. Terrica is a light-skinned African-American with light brown hair and golden highlights. Terrica's hair hangs about 8 inches below her shoulders. I immediately asked, "What happened to your hair?" She looked at me confused at first. Then, I asked her the question again.

Shortly after, she began to explain that Tequela, a classmate, had cut her hair. As a parent, I was concerned and began to ask more questions. "Where was your teacher when this was happening?" "Why would you let someone cut your hair?" "Why didn't tell your teacher?" "Why would the teacher leave scissors lying around unsupervised?" Terrica's response to all the above was, "I don't know." (By the way, I did ask her again, "What is the little girl's name?" I wanted to make sure that I heard it correctly. Tequela was the name that Terrica had given.)

After replaying the questions in my mind, it was reasonable to ask my next question, "Did you cut your hair?" She answered, "no, why would I do that?" She consistently implied that Tequela held her down and cut her hair while the teacher left the room. She goes on to say that several other girls covered her mouth so she could not scream.

I asked Terrica, "Is Tequela black or white? Terrica said she too was African-American. Does Tequela have short or long hair? Terrica indicated that Tequela has long hair too. I was investigating if Tequela wanted Terrica's hair short like hers or if Terrica wanted short hair like her classmate. Nothing was making any sense.

I explained to her that lying is not nice. If she tells the truth, she will not be disciplined if she had cut her own hair. I also informed her that I was sending a note to her teacher to investigate what really happened. She kept with her story.

I received a call the next day from Ms. Henry only to learn that Terrica is the only African-American in her class. Secondly, there is no child in her classroom named Tequela. (And, for the record I have never drank "Tequela".)

So who cut Terrica's bangs? During art session, she took the scissors and cut her bangs. Before Ms. Henry could stop her, the opened scissors closed and the hair dropped onto the floor.

That's it. Terrica acts on impulse. I still do not know why she cut her hair nor do I know why she told that story. Was Tequela real? I am not sure.

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Terrica is now nine years old. I still have "Bad Hair Day " story to share.

We now live in Pennsylvania. In November, Terrica's attended a new school that has a pool. It is a requirement that she swims once a week. By mid-January, Terrica had missed more school for common cold symptons than for snow days.

One particular Monday, she was not feeling well because she had a cough and a runny nose. So, I decided to keep her home to nurse the sick.