Progo35
12-27-2007, 04:33 PM
I often feel that what our society considers a learning disorder is really an issue of being able to learn material in a certain way that doesn't happen to be the accepted way. Muchof what "disability" entails is not bad, it is only a disability because society says so.
People with my learning disorder (specifically called nonverbal learning disorder, which can be researched by referring to a link I posted on my 'cut the crap' thread or by googling NVLD), tend to be more honest, frank, genuine, and innocent than the average person. It's not that we don't lie, ever, but for whatever reason, whether it is difficulty handling the nonverbal cues that indicate falsehood or if it is a literal intepretation of right and wrong, NVLD people tend to speak more frankly. While this can cause friction with social norms, I believe that all of these are good characteristics that are very difficult for most people to develop and nurture. For NVLD individuals, these things come naturally. People with NVLD are also highly intelligent writers, readers and thinkers, even if we may get our directions mixed up or have to think carefully when interpreting social cues. Since everyone has issues with something, I feel that the advantages and disadvantages conferred upon me by my intellect are quite natural within the context of human frailty. For whatever reason, our society is more accepting of people who lie than of people who can't tell right from left, but that really doesn't make my challenges any more extradinary than those of someone who comes from a broken home, or experiences discrimination because of having a different color skin, sexual orientation, etc.
In fact, I am proud of my "disability." I think it makes me unique and that God made me this way because I have certain jobs that he wants me to perform, including reaching out to others and helping to make the world a more accepting place for everyone by sharing my experiences. I hope I can do this with a sense of self respect and love.
Is there anything in your own life that might conventionally be considered a disadvantage but that actually impacts what you feel God is calling you to do?
People with my learning disorder (specifically called nonverbal learning disorder, which can be researched by referring to a link I posted on my 'cut the crap' thread or by googling NVLD), tend to be more honest, frank, genuine, and innocent than the average person. It's not that we don't lie, ever, but for whatever reason, whether it is difficulty handling the nonverbal cues that indicate falsehood or if it is a literal intepretation of right and wrong, NVLD people tend to speak more frankly. While this can cause friction with social norms, I believe that all of these are good characteristics that are very difficult for most people to develop and nurture. For NVLD individuals, these things come naturally. People with NVLD are also highly intelligent writers, readers and thinkers, even if we may get our directions mixed up or have to think carefully when interpreting social cues. Since everyone has issues with something, I feel that the advantages and disadvantages conferred upon me by my intellect are quite natural within the context of human frailty. For whatever reason, our society is more accepting of people who lie than of people who can't tell right from left, but that really doesn't make my challenges any more extradinary than those of someone who comes from a broken home, or experiences discrimination because of having a different color skin, sexual orientation, etc.
In fact, I am proud of my "disability." I think it makes me unique and that God made me this way because I have certain jobs that he wants me to perform, including reaching out to others and helping to make the world a more accepting place for everyone by sharing my experiences. I hope I can do this with a sense of self respect and love.
Is there anything in your own life that might conventionally be considered a disadvantage but that actually impacts what you feel God is calling you to do?