Intelligence is laregly a matter of genetic heritage. Choose your parents with care. - Edward Abbey.

Only in Britain could it be considered a crime to be too clever by half. - John Major.

Hi!! waves

While I read quite a lot, I'm not posting - yet. I'm kinda caught up with all sorts (exams, injuries, more injuries, ongoing injuries - a lot of injuries, more work; it's all fun)

I suppose I'll do more here when things are more settled and less - ahem - bonkers at this end.

Part of Me: From the Heart of a Dyspraxic.

I am writing this in the advice of someone who I wish was my mother, but sadly, she isn't. Until recently, I never had the courage to speak up about who I was, and therefore I tended to feel both inferior and alienated. I know now that I will never be the same as everyone else here, nor will I ever truly understand you, but maybe this will help you understand me, and the people like me a little better. Because the world will never be fair to us, and it's only through our determination that we don't get left behind.

I was ten when I was diagnosed dyspraxic, which - honestly - didn't mean much at the time, but hell, it does now. Sometimes I feel like God miswrote the postcode and sent me off to the wrong planet - you people make no sense!

This is to try and raise awareness of something hidden that affects one in four people. I am not merely clumsy; I cannot read body language or hear sarcasm. I have been bullied and picked because I simply could not socialise and my abjact dislike of loud noises and lots of people still hinder that today. I want to show you and try and help you understand what it's like on the other end of normal. I hope this helps.

A Recipe for Disaster [Adapted from 'Caged in Chaos' by Victoria Biggs]
Ingredients: 1 adolescent
50g of co-ordination problems
4 1/2 of disorganisation
1 short term memory
3 tablespoons of social awkwardness
50g of poor concentration
5 tablespoons of original thinking
Special quantities (as many as desired)
75ml of undisputed determination

Optional: Added spoonful of Dyslexia, Attention Deficit/Hyper-activity Disorder, Hyperlexia or other learning difficulty/giftedness/a plump, juicy talent.

How to prepare: Set aside concentration and leave to stagnate. In a larger mixing bowl, mix together co-ordinisation problems, disorganisation, short-term memory and social awkwardness. In a separate bowl take original thinking and beat until smooth before stirring in special quantities and pouring into a large mixing bowl. Add stagnated poor concentration and whisk thoroughly until completely mixed together. Finally, add is optional ingredients (as many as desired) and sprinkle determination on top. Mix until it forms a sticky paste.

Spoon paste into ready sliced teenager and bake in the oven for the approximate length of childhood. For a sour, bitter taste, serve cold with discrimination, frustration, a lack of co-operation and a distinct lack of understanding. Or, for a lighter, sweeter taste, serve warm with good friends, assistance, acceptance and respect.

Final Note: I would like to add something about bullying. To those of you who do not believe in such things, and say we are merely trying to blame our lack of skill onto a mythical 'disorder' there is nothing much I can really do to convince you other than to say I wish I could put you in a dyspraxic body for a day. To be unable to walk in a straight line or play sport without continually injuring yourself. To be unable to make friends because you simply cannot communicate with people. To be unable to wirte in a straight line without help, not that you can read it anyway. And worst of all, to be told you are stupid when you know you are not, yet no-one will let you prove yourself. That is the most damaging thing you can say to a child with a learning difficulty, so please, don't. I cannot even tell you which way round a capital 'n' goes, but my IQ is 148 and my overall learning percentile is 99.6.

If you meet someone with a learning difficulty however, we don't need pity - I am not sure I want to get rid of my dyspraxia, having seen some of the things 'normal' people are capable of. Just do your best to understand, and don't classify us, we are all different. Labels are for cans, not people.

If you do have a learning difficulty, or just stand out from the crowd, remember: be who you are, and say what you mean, because those who mind, don't matter, and those who matter, don't mind.

I would be so grateful to anyone who passes this on, because not enough people realise how much something like this can affect you, or why they are so different, when really there are so many more.

All my love to anyone who feels left out, regardless of the reason - because it sucks, Hardyng. xxx