Dyslexia: is one of several distinct learning disabilities. It is a specific language-based
disorder of constitutional origin characterized by difficulties in single word decoding, usuallyreflecting insufficient phonological processing.
It was not until recently, that my daughter has been diagnosed with dyslexia, that the term disability meant something to me. Prior to that it never hit home. At any rate, all the paperwork that I had to fill out and continue filling out repeats the word "DISABLED" and I must say that alone has had a major affect on me. I really dislike the word and wished that they did not have to reiterate it so much. Reading it so many times and having the school personal say it so much only makes me feel uncomfortable.
The feeling that comes with this experience is almost like you can not help but to feel embarrassed. I know the stigma that comes with someone being labeled and my daughter is feeling it because she has to be pulled out of her class to attend 30 min sessions. Regardless of how much school officials try not to disrupt her regular school scheduled those 30 minutes do a lot of damage with her identity.
Extra-Ordinary: going beyond what is usual, regular, or customary
Instead of the word disabled I would prefer to use Extra-Ordinary because any one who does require additional aid goes through so much physically, emotionally, and mentally. For you and I, we don't have to worry about how we will get somewhere or even set up additional arrangements on top of our everyday life schedule. My daughter has been making grades the "Normal" kids have been making without any accommodations. Despite seeing things way different than me, she worked hard and taught herself many things in order to keep up. In the future, I know I will have to read out many books to her and even when she gets to college.With that said I think that anyone who is labeled disabled, in my eyes they are strong and EXTRA-ORDINARY. If children and adults were to be educated on all of these "disabilities" and were knowledgeable of what someone has to go through, then maybe they will not call anyone retarded or disabled.
My brother is dyslexic. He struggled a lot in school but his strengths greatly outweigh his difficulties. It can be very challenging to deal with the label, but I think it also helps build up the extra-ordinary attributes.
ReplyDeleteHi May,
ReplyDeleteI by no means can relate to your story, but thank you for being so open and honest with your experience. The term "disabled" does tend to carry a lot of weight and holds a very heavy stigma of "being incapable". I also think that the term extra-ordinary is a brilliant word that should be interchangeable with disable, really great post May:)!! Good luck with everything, it's going to be tough, but you two can do this:)!!
May,
ReplyDeleteI think it is great that you are choosing to change the label of "disabled" to extra ordinary. I completely agree that people who do struggle go through so much in every aspect of life and we should empower them and show them how strong they are as individuals rather than calling them out by telling them their is "something wrong". Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
May,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate you sharing apart of you and your daughter's story in this post. My little brother also has dyslexia and I refuse to refer to him as disabled. Having someone tell you as a child that you're disabled is embarrassing and isolating. All kids really want is to fit in and be "normal". Great post!
May,
ReplyDeleteMy son has a type of dyslexia called dysgraphia. It has been a struggle, but I don't really consider him disabled- writing is hard for him, so he gets to use a computer to take notes or tests. I really like how you want to change the term to extra ordinary. I love this post. :)