It might be true, but it’s not my truth

You can rise above it

I don’t know how old I was. I was very young, but I can imagine what it was like for my parents in the doctor’s office that day.

The Doctor glanced up from his notes. He gave my parents a quick nod, then he picked up my chart.

“ I’m sorry that I have to tell you this.” In my mind’s eye, I can see my mom and dad tense. “We ran a series of tests. Your son is brain Damaged.”

“The best you can hope for is that he might be able with training to work a menial job. For him, doing well in school or having a life on his own as an adult is doubtful.”

My parents choked back sobs as they thanked the doctor and stood up to leave.

It wasn’t easy. I was in Special Ed until middle school. When I was placed in regular classes. I still had to take remedial math classes.

In seventh grade. The teachers and Guidance counselor felt I could go on to the eighth-grade mid-semester. I was excited to walk into an eighth-grade class for the first time.

I graduated from high school when I was supposed to. It came close to not happening. Not because of any cognitive issues. I was too busy smoking Marlboro Reds in the Smoking Area. And doing other things I shouldn’t have been doing instead of studying.

I have had to struggle through life. Simple things for most people are very hard for me. I have failed at a lot of things. I have achieved more than the Doctors and Case-workers believed was possible.

I have and will continue to have a full life. I am able to have that life because of dedicated teachers and parents who loved me and believed in me.

If your child has Learning Disabilities. Love them and support them. Believe in them and encourage them.

My parents took the “ Brain Damaged” thing to heart. But I still had more support than a lot of kids I met in Special ED. And as an adult.

I may not be where I want to be in life. And I wish that I could have done some things differently. But I did a lot better than some Doctors and Educators thought I would do.

If I could say something to that Doctor if I ever met him. I would tell him to

“ Bite Me!”