I am so tired of being discriminated against because I have learning disabilities. I can't help it! This is how I was made!
What’s the big deal about learning disabilities anyway? It's a pretty common condition for someone to have.
A lot of celebrities have come out saying that they struggle with LDs: Henry Winkler, Patrick Dempsey, and Tom Cruise... to name a few. Look at how well they are doing!
I am not seeking fame and fortune, but I am simply looking for some respect!
Those of us who are learning disabilities are human, too. We also have feelings. You hurt us, we cry. You cut us, we bleed.
I don't know how a pediatrician can automatically assume a child is going to be stupid because they can't stop crying!
And don't even get me started on how someone's intelligence can be determined by the number of items they can identify blindfolded!
All of this happened to me:
- A pediatrician believed I was uneducable because I couldn't stop crying.
- A psychologist questioned my intelligence because I didn't know what a frankfurter was. My mother had to point out that they had always called them hot dogs. The psychologist reluctantly had to admit that she made a good point.
- During an examination to see if I would qualify for a placement in a local job program for the disabled, I had to identify certain items in my hand blindfolded. I didn't do too well, so I was considered eligible.
How can you do that? How can you determine someone's intelligence based on whether or not they can identify items in the hands blindfolded?
How in the world can you even determine one's intelligence by a series of ridiculous tests that are practically impossible to pass?
Because of these ridiculous actions, I am considered a lost cause in the eyes of society.
The job program was totally useless! I could go on and on but the gist of it is that no one associated really did care. To the coordinator and the rest of his staff, the other participants and myself were not worth it.
During my annual review, I was told I would never live above the poverty line. I would always be on welfare.
So, what am I supposed to do? Just disappear? Oh no, buddy…I'm not going anywhere!
I'm staying right here!
I've got a great career going. I’ve had a successful dog-sitting business for the past 13 years.
My writing career is taking off. I wrote a memoir a couple of years ago about living with learning disabilities. It is available through Amazon. I write regularly for several websites.
I don't care how my detractors feel.They don't care about me and I don't care about them.
