Take responsibility, it's time to act!
My fellow Dyspraxics, I'm afraid in this blog, I
will unleash my inner blunt. Those of you closest to me, know that frequently I
try to filter and reign in my 'inner blunt,' probably on a daily basis. There are
times, however, where bluntness with a smidgen of kindness is exactly what is
required.
Here is a question do you know any one person who
is perfect; in word, thought, deed, physique, ability? And when I say perfect I
mean perfection in its unattainable interiority.
No-one? I thought as much...
Why do we think that there are such things as a
perfect group or organisation? After all, groups and organisations are
made up of people, imperfect people who make mistakes, have serious flaws and
from time to time let us down. There have been times where I have had
disagreements with different members of the Dyspraxia Foundation. Sometimes we
have been able to compromise and make amends, and sometimes we have had to
agree to disagree. It is not easy, but as an adult with Dyspraxia,
you yourself would understand there are times where no amount of enforcing
filters and counting to ten can stop the overwhelming current of emotions
taking over. However, when one is 29.9 years old it doesn't mean I should
dismiss it at "as one of those." I will take responsibility for it
and will keep trying until I get it right. At present, I am learning about
Mindfulness and have taken up an exercise referral scheme. You know the saying,
'every little help's'. We are supposed to take responsibility and
research help available to us.
As adults, who are responsible and intelligent,
there is a level of accountability we have, not only to ourselves but to our
families, friends, organisations and society as a whole. This means we
can't simply throw a label at our problems, act like nothing happened and
reinforce our helplessness to others. The world is a harsh place with a limited
understanding of Dyspraxia and other Neuro-diverse conditions. So we not only
have to explain what Dyspraxia is but we also need to demonstrate how we take
responsibility for it and ensure that we have Dyspraxia, rather than Dyspraxia
having us.
Now, waffle aside I am going to get to my main point. The Dyspraxia Foundation is far from perfect, however, at least it can be said it is taking responsibility in raising awareness of Dyspraxia and they organise conferences in order to better equip Dyspraxic Adults. I've had conversations with various Dyspraxics' who say that the Dyspraxia Foundation only focuses on children and teenagers and that adult are irrelevant. When you consider that the DF is only made up of a few adults in a small building in the middle of nowhere it is amazing that they are able to help anyone. In this current climate where people are losing their homes and jobs due to the lack of regard from our current government, I totally understand why people are giving less to charity and why money is tight.
As a Dyspraxia adult, I am asking you, my fellow Dyspraxics’ to consider the following;
1. We need to take responsibility not only for
ourselves but also others with Dyspraxia and other Neuro-diverse conditions
Adult and Child a Like.
2. We need to recognise that the Dyspraxia
Foundation is doing something positive, as they are taking responsibility and
they are doing their best. With Janet Taylor’s help the Dyspraxia
Foundation are hoping to set up adult support groups around the UK. They could
indeed be more about social meetings than the more formal children’s groups but
it would be great to encourage a network of these groups all around the
UK. The DF has also produced brand new
welcome packs for adult coordinators, so please join us. I would also like to point out that this year
Dyspraxia Awareness week is focusing entirely on Adults and Employment. Also, bear in mind many members of the DF do not have
Dyspraxia and so they need our help and expertise in order to be a better
organisation.
3. We need to recognise children with Dyspraxia
who are left without help and support will grow up to become unhappy
adults. With Money, volunteers, and skills in short supply, how on
earth could we as adults begrudge children being made a priority?
4. If we are unable to donate money to the DF
perhaps you can;
Write blogs raising awareness of the DF and what
it is like being a Dyspraxic Adult?
What about designing posters and displaying them
in various settings? How about getting a group of Dyspraxics’ with various skills
together and composing a letter of suggestions for improvements to the DF with
an offering of practical help?
What about a fundraising event whereby donations
are sent directly to the Adults Fund. I have a few friends who are
running Dyspraxia Support groups on Facebook; perhaps you could set a group up
or join them as admins?
5. Janet Taylor and I put together a book called
Dyspraxic Adults surviving in a non-Dyspraxic world. The book wasn't simply our
words but the words of various Dyspraxic Adults, who gave their time, skills
and energy to the project and that is why the book exists. In other words, a
project is only as effective as those who support it.
Please help us to better help you.
P.S. Here is the link for the Book and the money raised
will go straight back into the Adult fund!
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dyspraxia-Dyspraxic-Non-Dyspraxic-Foundation-Publication-ebook/dp/B0189FKPL6/ref=cm_cr_arp_d_pdt_img_top?ie=UTF8
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