Something Stinks, And It’s Not The Sulfur

It’s my first experiment in science for year ten. My teacher so far seems nice enough and has told us not to hesitate to tell her about any issue concerning the class.

Me: “Since the experiment involves sulfur, can I sit out? I have an allergy to it.”

Teacher: “No, you can’t. You have to participate and help your classmates!”

Me: “But I have an allergy to sulfur! I’ll start reacting!

Teacher: “No, you don’t. You’re lying and just want to get out of the lesson!”

At this point, I am very upset and leave. I’ve reacted to things such as paint, medicine, my year eight injections, and even sunscreen!

I talk to my mother about it, and she calls the school, who says I’ll be allowed to sit out. Relieved, I head to science happily the next day.

Teacher: “What are you doing? You have to help your team!”

Me: “The school says I can sit out because of my allergy.”

Teacher: “No, you can’t. Go and help your group!”

When I refuse, she goes over to my group, looks at what they are doing, and signals for me to come over. Knowing that I have no choice left, I go over.

Teacher: “Now, [My Name] will do this part and you guys can observe.”

The task involves handling the sulfur. As I am lifting the eye dropper of sulfur, the teacher goes to another group, bumping me in the process, causing drops of sulfur to land on my arm. I stop what I am doing and head to the sink to wash it off before returning and trying again, this time with success.

By the time my part is complete, a rash has spread over my arm, and it hurts badly. I’ve never had a reaction this bad before. I know I need to calm it down, but I can’t leave the lesson. I explain to my groupmates what’s happening and why I need them to call my doctor. I give them my phone to find the doctor in my contacts while I try not to start crying and find a flannel to soak in cold water to decrease a bit of pain.

Teacher: “Why aren’t you all working? [Girl], who are you calling?

Girl: “[My Name]’s doctor. Sulfur got on her arm, and now she has a painful rash, and we need the doctor because that’s what she’s been told to do if it gets bad.”

The teacher looked at us in disbelief before seeing the spreading rash and agreeing to let us call.

In the end, my mother had to pick me up to take me to the doctor, where I was prescribed pills and listened to the doctor remind the school that I had an allergy, and it should not be dismissed.

The teacher was made to apologize and left the next year!