I grew up as a special needs kid. I was in special ed in the public school system in 1st grade for 1 year. Then my parents took me right out of it. Then I began failing in school, each grade. Teachers gave up on me. I am not ashamed of it at all because in my heart and soul I tried my best. Always. My bio-family is. So for me I would have to say that nurturing would be equal to unconditional love. My lifetime constant partner is...adversity, negativeness, very rarely is there a smile or a handshake. People have no idea of what I face on a daily basis.
It is only when I met my adopted family did I know this. I was given a gift of love. I learned what it was for someone to hand me $10 for a haircut, be invited to have a meal with them, celebrate a holiday. Even to have someone say that they wanted me to come with them to work. They were not embarressed by me, and my clumsyness, shyness, or awkwardness as some say. I just felt very invisible growing up in the family I had. I had to learn and re-learn life skills on my own.
In defining human-ness, I never realized how much reading and writing was so enormous. I still cannot grasp this concept. I feel sorry for those who are not able to speak - like kids who have some disorder, or are deaf, or some medical issue that stops/prevents them from interacting with others. Life is hard enough, but when you throw in these problems, it makes life very very hard. I just wish others would understand and have more patience.
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