There’s Always More to Learn

Around the time I began the blog, I started to do some research on the issues I have. I knew a lot about OI and PCOS, but never really knew or understood exactly what my learning disability was. Growing up my I never knew the name for it, I just knew that I learned differently than most others.

A couple of weeks ago, my mom visited and we were in my kitchen chatting. My husband said something to me and I apparently didn’t give him the reaction he expected. My mom said, “You know why she reacted that way?” Of course my husband and I looked at each other and said “No??”. She continued saying, “That’s her Receptive Language Disorder.”

I was in complete disbelief, all this time I never knew what it was and the whole time she knew. You can only imagine my rant to her after she said that. I thought she just never knew either since we never called it anything. Apparently, (which I knew most of this) when I was young up until I was about 6 or 7, no one could understand anything I was saying. My parents thought it was because I couldn’t hear, but it in fact was because when people would talk to me I couldn’t understand them. They took me to a specialist and they told them I have Receptive Language Disorder. To read more about it here’s a link: https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/receptive-language-disorder

After I came out of shock my mom explained it to my husband, who immediately had a long moment of clarity to every misunderstood conversation we’ve had. I typically don’t talk about my learning disability as 1. I don’t live behind it as an excuse and 2. For the most part I’ve learned to work with it. Which is why my husband never really knew past the basics of it and that I struggled with it mainly as a child.

As an adult I’ve learned how to ask for clarification when I don’t understand and always make sure I get all the details. I’ve only really had to be aware of it with my jobs and learning new things. I’ve never let my learning disability define me or hold me back. In many ways I’ve learned more by understanding better how I learn. Most people know they are  either a Verbal, Logical, Physical, or Visual Learners. In my case I know I require a little more in my style of learning.

It is funny how sometimes you think you know a lot about yourself and then even as an adult you learn more. Since I’ve been applying to jobs a lot since moving here and going to interviews I’ve definitely been more aware of the disorder. It makes me laugh every time I get a situation it comes up, because I finally understand it fully.

Just goes to show, don’t let an illness, disorder, or disability define you and keep you from your dreams because most of the time you could’ve went through life without knowing it and you would be fine!

With that being said late on in the blog I’ll talk about growing up with my disability and being in Special Ed.

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.

Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it well.

Psams 139:14