Ever since I was young, I have had difficulty making friends and maintaining relationships. This is because I often get confused with people’s facial expressions, social expectations, and societal rules. This has gotten me into a lot of trouble throughout my life, including suspensions, messy breakups, and social isolation. Because there has been little understanding and support for NVLD, I experienced ableism which lead to depression. As an adult, I struggle to live alone because there have been little to no supports for my needs.
I want to help make a change. I don’t want other people to go without accessibility anymore.
The reason I am fighting for change is because of my own life experiences with NVLD. As a child, I often experienced discrimination from teachers, other school staff, and other students. During recess, I would be ridiculed and bullied relentlessly for not understanding things. I was assumed to be unintelligent by many, and when I wasn’t experiencing infantilization, I experienced emotional, psychological, and other types of abuse.
Sometimes, my teachers would deny me the supports I needed, stating that other students “actually needed it” instead, and that I was lying. I was punished frequently for my high emotions and difficulties in learning. Some of these punishments included being secluded in an empty room for 8 hours, or yelled at by my teachers directly.
Because of this horrific mistreatment that I endured for over three years, I developed CPTSD and other trauma-based difficulties. I get somatic and emotional flashbacks daily, but I am learning to work through them. Though this difficult period in my life has lead to quite a few struggles in my life now, I am still grateful that I am the way I am. Despite what I’ve been through, I am quite successful as a twenty-four year old. I am a part time streamer and content creator, thanks to the passion my NVLD gives me. I can focus on what really matters: trust, safety, and community building. I am an artist as well, with a published piece in a magazine.
I know I’m not the only one with NVLD who’s experienced such things. That’s why I want to let others know: you are not alone and it does get better. Each of us has our own unique abilities as well as difficulties and you can succeed, no matter what life throws at you. That is why it is so important to keep advocating for yourself and others with NVLD.
Alex
I am a 24 yr old LGBTIQQ person from Canada, who was diagnosed with NVLD and ADHD at a very young age.
