Are You Aware of Yourself?
Jean Jacobson share her perspective
on awareness
by Jean Jacobson
My
name is Jean. I am a 47-year-old woman. I have cerebral palsy.
I’ve looked at some people and tried to understand
them. I know I don’t have a high IQ but come on. When I was younger, I
didn’t know much of anything. As I got mature and got some intelligence,
I became aware of myself and my surroundings. For instance:
I’m aware of: my
addictions.
I’m aware of: the mistakes I’ve
made, and I try not to do them again.
I’m aware of: my not having children. I learned at a somewhat
reasonable age I didn’t want kids. I don’t have the patience.
I wouldn’t have been a good parent, so I had my tubes tied.
I haven’t regretted it.
I’m aware of: when I try to explain something, I don’t
do it very well. That’s why I have someone with to help me. I
can do it when it’s simple and short term, and try to find the
right words.
I’m aware of: the way I walk (STIFF). I’m
trying to loosen up; my muscles are getting tighter.
I’m aware of: the fact that some people out in this world of
ours think that disabled people are ignorant, that we don’t know
how to take care of ourselves. I had a incident 9/25/05 at a store
where I fell. My crutch tips were so worn they had tears in them. The
manager came to see me, to see if I was all right. I said I was fine.
She proceded to tell me—and show me—that my tips were bad.
She was talking at me, not to me.
I’m aware of: my voice. The tone has a strong but weak sound.
When I get tired it starts to sound weak and that’s O.K. When
I am talking to someone, I try to have a firm sounding tone.
I’m aware of: my trying to help too much when I meet someone
who needs help. Sometimes they like to overdo it. You don’t want
to offend them either.
I’m aware of: when a serious situation comes up, I have this
defect that comes up that I do not like. I start to laugh. I don’t
particularly like this trait, but it’s a part of me.
I’m aware of: when I’m talking to someone, I don’t
look straight at them. I look anywhere else. I don’t particularly
like this trait either, but I’m doing the best I can.
And with that I’ll
close.
Who are you? ![]()
