In May of 2011, my grandson fell off his bike and had to have emergency brain surgery. Knowing he was entering a new school in September, his team of about 20 doctors signed a letter for him, stating he was not only starting at a new school, but he was entering high school, and insisted the school allow him to wear his hat, which covered the long scar from the top of his head to his ear, of which he was very self-conscious.

The guidance counselor, David Wilson, was so fantastic! He sent texts to all the teachers, alerting them of the hat situation. He worked with us, and was so very, very understanding and helpful. David Wilson, you get an “A-plus”!

The Brain Injury Association of America says all schools across the U.S. have been taught how to talk and deal, day to day, with students with brain trauma. Brain trauma is invisible, and because my grandson doesn’t look different and doesn’t sound different, the teachers would not acknowledge his needs.

From the very first day of school, his teachers yelled at him to remove his hat; he even got detention for wearing it.

His mother went to his school almost daily to try to rectify the situation, but it was to no avail. Yes, she went to the school board and a program was set up, but the school never heeded it.

When someone has brain trauma, you do not raise your voice and bark orders to them. That is what is referred to as “Backing them in a corner” — and when that happens, they will get very upset, and will not do what you say. They will rebel.

For example, one day my grandsons’ phone rang (he kept it on, in case he got a severe headache and had to call home). His teacher, very loudly and rudely, told him to give him his phone, now!

My grandson said no, and was told to leave his class. Had his teacher, who supposedly knew how to work with brain trauma students, would’ve just calmly said, “Would you please shut your ringer off?” then all would’ve been great for both student and teacher. So simple.

On another occasion, a teacher got very upset that my grandson was still wearing his hat. He told my grandson to leave his classroom, and that the project that he was working on — and was so very, very proud of and loved spending time working on — was being taken away from him and being erased from his computer. This totally crushed my grandson, which is exactly what the teacher wanted to do.

My daughter, on a daily basis, talked to the school board, to Seattle Children’s Hospital, to the guidance counselor and principal. And after so much hassling, we finally pulled him out of school, for his own well being.

Had Federal Way High School helped us, and worked with us, like David Wilson tried to make happen, my grandson would have graduated this year, and his self-confidence would be soaring.

A BIG FAT “F” to you, Federal Way high school! Tsk, tsk.

I’m so very disappointed in you! Enjoy your new building; maybe you should’ve started on the inside first.

Patricia A. Scott, Federal Way