Crumbs

Originally published 1st February 2024 on NeuroDiversity University Blog FaceBook page

Life is sometimes so back to front. And unfair.

Most of my NeuroDivergent Community are struggling with low self esteem, self doubt and Imposter Syndrome.

They are also fearful.

Fearful of rejection, fearful of making mistakes and so very tired.

Tired of trying to find safe spaces. Too tired or scared to ask for help. Tired and wounded from being told, directly and indirectly, that they are wrong, awkward and difficult.

I personally see my gorgeous ND comrades as glorious, vulnerable, humble, skilled and knowledgeable but they are dulled out and weary from the heaviness of the Barriers they face daily.

They could shine if they weren't screaming and shouting and begging for 'reasonable adjustments'.

Some NDs don't even know there are Barriers in front of them because they believe their tiredness or 'inadequacies' are character faults of theirs.

They think they are rotten inside and that their low self esteem is justified.

That's what happens when one NeuroType is catered for.

That's what happens when one NeuroType is glorified over another.

That's what happens when one NeuroType has life Adjusted to them.

Read that last line again.

NeuroTypical folk have life Adjusted to them.

They have a Life that fits them.

They have ALL the Adjustments.

They don't even know it.

And here we are, the NeuroDivergents, on the side, begging for Crumbs.

Living and surviving off Crumbs.

We are tired, defeated, dysregulated, fearful, begging to be heard.

We are here, exhausted, asking to be respected and fighting systems to notice and consider us.

The NeuroTypicals talk about us as if they know best.

They plod on merrily, arrogantly, with all the confidence in the World, with their easy Privilege, talking over us.

And all the while, they make decisions that make life harder and more unsafe for NeuroDivergents.

Just stop.

Just f#cking stop.

It doesn't have to be like this.

A simple water painting by me, various flowers, squiggly black doodling, all blooming and healthy. A visual representation of how we all deserve to bloom.