Girl With A Funny Accent

I was explaining recently about my background to someone close to me; where I came from and of course Apraxia. The child with Apraxia in Special Ed and finding their way to success in High School and College. To me, this is just my life, it's nothing notably special and it's just what I had to do.When I tell people that I was in Special Education and had a several, thorough IEPs, you should see their jaws drop. I don't fully comprehend why this is shocking to some, but I guess it is.

Now some say "You didn't belong there [in Special Ed]," to which I disagree. At that given time in history and in my abilities, I would have drowned in a typical classroom. Granted though, as an adult, I know the typical classroom wasn't ready for me. If you can't learn or talk the same way as the 'typical' kids, then you don't belong.

Regardless, in my conversation about this, I was asked a rather intriguing question, "Were you in Special Ed because of i…

So, rather than all the really deep posts about the Apraxia Journey. I like to sprinkle in some lightheartedness here and there. What better way to share something super personal with you guys right?

Anyways, as you guys know, I have what sounds like an accent.

Big surprise, right?

Well, when it comes to dating I really have no idea what I am doing; throw in this accent thing and there's no guide book.

I wish there was, I could just see it now,  "Dating Handbook for People with an Accent because of Apraxia."

I'm thinking it would be New York Times Best Seller. Anyways, I digress.

On dates, when my accent comes up-which it does often, as I tend to talk a lot- I receive various responses:

1. Apraxia, I had never heard of that before. That must have been rough...etc

2. I never would have guessed that you were in 'those' programs. It definitely didn't stop you...

3. I think accents are hot *face palm*

I'm used to all 3 and even their slight variations. Bu…

The act of comparison is something learned over the years, as we get older and better able to rationalize who and what is going on around us. The act of comparing yourself to others, your kid to someone elses; well, it's natural for us as human beings to do this.

    The two or three year old child diagnosed though, does not have this capacity though. They are still kids and, frankly, thank goodness for that. Their ignorance allows them to still be a kid, to play pretend as if nothing is wrong with them. Most adults wouldn't even do that; we'd mope around and probably be depressed or aggressive towards others. But these kids? Too young to know anything is amiss? They just beat by their own drum. Why? Because they have not compared themselves to anything or anyone around them! It's beautiful.

   They do; however, understand that others around them do not understand what they are saying. For instance, and I am sure you as parents know this, your kid said the same uni…

So, I started a Paralegal Certificate Program at UCLA this past Tuesday. I'm excited, but obviously nervous. Not sure what happened in 2018, but between working full-time, school part-time, being on the Board of Directors, and somehow maintaining a healthy life-I'm obviously intimidated.

Anyways. First day, it's Orientation. Fine, it's the usual with professionals trying to sell you a program that you've basically already bought into. I met a few new people, socialized, the usual.

But there was one thing I forgot, that I was so quickly reminded of...

"So Alyson, where are you from? It sounds like you have an accent..." a couple people said during the night.

Are 

You

Kidding

Me.

I explained to them Apraxia, and the usual speech I give everyone: "Oh, it's a speech disorder called Apraxia, basically the part of the brain that handles my mouth movements wasn't fully developed, etc etc...but now I have what sounds like an accent..."

I did it with…