Choice

As I was listening to one of the motivational YouTube videos, I realized why I felt alone all my entire life. I am part of the 5 percent part of the 17 percent.  Five percent of the population is the leaders, owners, and thinkers. Seventeen percent of the population has a medical condition impeding some function.

Ever since I could recall thinking, my thoughts have been different than most people I knew. For example, I consciously ignored the hidden messages in political ads and commercials. At parties, I would easily get bored with normal communications, which I thought were meaningless. I enjoyed eavesdropping on the physics students even though I had no real clue what they were saying. My elder brother Don would speak of astronomy, as we got drunk as teenagers.

Then I was blessed and cursed with the type of cerebral palsy, which makes me appear feebleminded. Until 11 years old I went to classes with others that were deemed feebleminded then I mainstreamed with "smart" kids from Polish immigrant parents. I did not fit in as I had cerebral palsy. However, what makes me so different than others with medical conditions is I always thought about making money like the wealthy in New England. I soon learned I was supposed to ask for money from the liberals, charity, and welfare. As a young man, I identified more with the conservatives as to money. This made me even weirder as most thought I was a liberal. In fact, as to civil rights, I am liberal but I think financial restraint is very important and every adult with an average mind should earn their way. Most people would think, "How can a disabled person earn her way?" Sadly, most with conditions think about all the actions they cannot do. I quit this futile endeavor at 8 when I stopped learning to walk and focused on what I did excellent at reading. I am not saying quit walking. I am saying focus on your abilities, not disabilities. However, most with and without conditions focus on what they cannot do and the easiest way to secure wants and needs.

February 24, 2015