The Less Obvious Problems

What do you think of when you hear the words disability or disabled?  Did you picture someone you know in a wheelchair? Did an elderly woman with a walker come to mind? If so, you're not wrong. Most individuals who  think of disability immediately think of things that are blatantly obvious to the eyes. However, those aren't the only disabilities, and I should know. I have at least two that have nothing to do with my physical condition of Cerebral Palsy.

Cerebral Palsy in and of itself is handful to deal with. When I was a child, I had Mom, and physical therapists who helped me remember to do things for myself, such as swallowing, and walking with my heel down first.  The second, I still have issues with. Gradually, these behaviors became learned, so they weren't as obvious.

When I got to be a little older, and started going to school, the mental effects of my CP began to show themselves. I was incredibly smart in many different subjects. Indeed, I was the first to read in my Kindergarten class.

We then came to realize that I had trouble comprehending things that are just said to me. This was especially true when it came to the higher maths in upper elementary school and my later school years. Thank goodness  for the teachers Mom and I worked with. I wouldn't have made it through High school with their know how and patience!

While I know that learning disabilities occur in individuals that have no other condition, when it is coupled with CP, like in my case, it can be seem a little bit more challenging. But as I mentioned above, I did manage to make it out on top with a lot of hard work and determination.

Most recently, I have been dealing with major anxiety disorder. You would think it's not considered a disability, but in truth, it is in the dictionary as being a debilitating condition. My anxiety comes from years of physical and emotional abuse. But I also think it comes from the way people I have met throughout my life have dealt with my condition. Anxiety attacks come on suddenly, and almost  without a warning. It's easier for me to just stay home, and not want to go out. However, I've gotten a bit better at it, with the help of the psychologist and psychiatrist I'm  seeing. This is one disability I can help myself cure, or control.

The point of this post is to get people to understand that disability is more than just what is on the outside. There may be  things going on the inside that you don't know.