My youngest daughter is 18 and physically and mentally handicapped.  She has many medical issues including mental retardation, seizure disorder, osteoporosis and a thyroid disorder.  Over the past year we have had some rough spots, but they are beginning to turn around.  Chelsea, my daughter, has made great accomplishments and has a winning personality; she never meets a stranger, is always happy and laughing.

 We finally got the go ahead from her doctor to have extensive dental work done for Chelsea.  All of the medication and the osteoporosis have taken a toll on her teeth.  Over the last year, she has had teeth removed, root canals and fillings.  She has had all this done and still loves going to the dentist!  Our latest procedure was to remove four bottom teeth and place a temporary bridge while a permanent bridge was being made.  We had strict instructions from the dentist not to eat anything hard or crunchy, due to the bridge being made of plastic.  Once her permanent bridge is placed, she can eat what ever she likes. 

I relayed this information to the school and my daughters teachers in her life skills class.   I also work in the cafeteria at her school, so I could monitor what she consumes.  The other day, after lunch, my daughter and one of her teachers approach me to show me that Chelsea’s bridge is gone!  I asked what happened, and she stated that Chelsea ate an apple!  I asked how she got an apple, I did not give it to her.  The teacher did not know, she stayed in the room during lunch and another teacher had brought the class to lunch that day.

 I went to the classroom to get to the bottom of the story, and found out that during lunch, the teacher who brought the life skills to lunch was talking to another teacher, not paying attention to the class, when the lunch room janitor took it upon herself to give Chelsea an apple!  I was horrified!  This lady has no business giving kids food, much less handicapped kids.  

Upon taking Chelsea to the dentist at day break the next day, I found out that not only did the bridge get broken from biting the apple, but it also broke off one of her teeth that had recently had a root canal done.  They had to build back the tooth in order for the bridge to attach on the tooth.

 I am outraged that the teacher is not doing her job, and that a janitor was allowed to feed my daughter.  We have a conference with the school this afternoon to discuss who is paying for the dental work and my time off work I had to take.  Along with the pain my daughter suffered from a broken tooth.