betterdeal Posted December 1, 2011 Posted December 1, 2011 Ian Dury is another person to look at for inspiration... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ian_Dury#Spasticus_Autisticus
KathyM Posted December 1, 2011 Posted December 1, 2011 I'm wondering if there is something you could do to improve your gait? Such as working with a physical therapist, or practicing different walking styles on your own in your house. I do empathize with you. My mother has a speach impairment (stutters), which she's had all her life, and she's received some hurtful comments over the years. It's caused her to withdraw from social activities, and caused her to be very hypersensitive to the bad behavior of others and given her a distrust of people in general, unfortunately. You really can't control what other people say or what other people think, and the sooner you accept that and let that notion go, the more at ease you will feel. You need to see it as a negative reflection on the person who lacks empathy, and understand that there will be people who are insensitive jerks and there's really nothing you can do to change that. Just like with people who are handicapped, they will get stares and people will whisper, make hurtful remarks, etc. They've had to develop a thick skin and have had to learn to ignore those comments and stares. You can't very well be going up to every stranger in public who you perceive as having said something negative and start verbally cussing them out or scolding them. I think that would make your situation worse. If they are close enough to you where you could say something without approaching them, then turn around and say something like "That's very rude", or "Learn to have some empathy for people". I would not, however, recommend walking up to strangers and confronting them about it. If you are not already seeing a counselor, you may want to try that, and they can help you to deal with these situations in a better way, whether that is through assertiveness training, or through cognitive therapy whereby you are helped to accept things which you cannot change, and learn coping skills for things that you cannot change. He may also have suggestions on activities or groups you could get involved with that would be a positive experience for you where you could meet people you could become friends with.
betterdeal Posted December 1, 2011 Posted December 1, 2011 Yoga can be good, for the social aspect as well as the physical. I've found a lot of people at yoga class are non-judgmental and kind, and many are dealing with similar their demons to mine. It's a relief.
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