On this national CP Day I have a request. Do not pretend.
I am a 24 year old college senior, who graduates in June. I understand a lot of things. I love to read and devalued Harry Potter Books in my youth. I am very good writer, despite not having the best proof reading skills. While math is not my strong subject, I can count change pretty well and worked at a Cash Register.
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| Me Jumping rope. Notice my right arm is bent |
The Biggest thing that happens though is my speech. I have a speech impairment. My muscles in my mouth are tight. I do not open my mouth wide when I am talking. I have dysarthria that is the result of Cerebral Palsy.
Please Do not pretend that you understand me when I am speaking.
My real name is hard to say. Its four syllables long with an R in one of its syllables. I hate my name but have no ideas for a new name. I am still considering a new name.
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| Me Eating a Banana. That is how big my mouth is |
In the meantime if I come up and introduce myself to you and you're not sure what I said, or anyone with a speech impairment please I ask you to to asks us. to repeat what we said We know when you can not understand and it sucks. I know you think that we can not understand the difference and its an awkward situation; however, it hurts.
When you pretend to understand me. I feel disrespected, I feel like what I have to say is not important - which makes it hard especially since I'm nearing the age to enter the l job market. Please presume that I am making sense. Please be a little patient and work with me; ask me to show you, or write it down. Enlist the help of others around you. Let's work together to get my point across. Because what I have to say is important.
4 comments:
Hi AZ.
Did you devour Harry Potter? So did I?
Or did you not like the works?
I think a lot of people cover up what they don't understand, making the world and ourselves and each other harder to understand.
:-D about the banana!
So you're looking for a new name, AZ?
Thanks for this post, it could be a part of the "End the awkward" campaign (which I mean as a sincere compliment). As a socially awkward (typically abled) guy with an amazing non-verbal son, I am new to the world of disability and want to avoid as much awkwardness as possible. I had never really though of how insulting it could be to have someone pretend they understood you, when it's fairly clear to you that they didn't.
What would be the best way to respond? By being honest, and nicely saying something like, "I'm sorry, but I didn't quite get that"? Would it be really awkward to say something like "I really want to understand you, what's the bext way for us to communicate"? I'm guessing that would only work with someone that you have a fairly close relationship with.
I have never read such quality post/article as yours, ever on the web. Your post/article is very detailed and insightful yet easy to understand. Please write more frequently for this/our community.
ViralNova
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