QUOTE=dogmom;1261934]I started new thread because the one about "challenges" before this, some of the ideas about being out of place or uncomfortable, I can relate to that <but not sure of highjacking the previous thread>. Sometimes people get impatient with me because I am slow in line to count the change or I have trouble understanding directions. Sometimes I want folks to repeat instructions about how to do something or get somewhere and they seem to get frustrated with me. I am reminded how as a young kid I especially felt out of place as I was in the resource room, far away from the "other" kids, and because the section of the building with the resource room was separated and considered "weird" and mysterious by the others. A lot if things other kids understood almost automatically <it seemed to me at the time> and I did not, so I often felt very lost and confused.[/QUOTE]

Dear Dogmom...yes, I can totally relate to what you are saying. Although, I'm not sure what you wanted for this thread...whether you were asking if we could relate to your experiences or if we had challanges of our own to talk about...but I think I'll go with both. I was in the resource room too (though we called it 'learning center'). Like you, it was kind of a world of its own in school. We were 'those kids'. Although, looking back on it, I find that most (not all) of my closest friends were in that room. We learned from our differences how much we were the same, how much all of us were people, how much all of us needed someone to understand. I think that is just as true for adults as children and teens. I was one of the 'lucky' ones in that I could function a little better then some of the other learning center kids, so I did have some friends outside the room. But the kids that I remember most dearly were the ones I hung out with in that room. It did cause me to be very uncomfortable with other kids though, and I was teased mercilessly for being different.
I get very nervous in social situations. Even before I started going deaf, I was shy and akward, and I stutter when nervous. Now, people see the hearing aids, and hear me stutter and look at my baby with sympathy and concern. I know that some people think I am not capable of caring for my baby, and it hurts. I have actually been asked before if anyone was there to help me. I know that people usually mean well, but it hurts all the same. The wonderful thing is though, that my husband and baby love me. My family loves me. My baby smiles at me like she thinks I'm the most perfect being on the earth...she doesn't care how smart I am, or how much I can hear...she just loves. My husband helps me with what I need help with, and he tries to be understanding. I have been blessed.
Yes, it is difficult to be stared at...to have people roll their eyes while I'm struggling with money at the cash register, or to know that I can't drive myself down the block because I simply cannot understand the concept of left and right...but then, I am pretty good at writing, I love to plant, work with animals, knit, and I enjoy reading. I have a beautiful baby and wonderful husband and, no, life isn't perfect, and I'm still grieving for my hearing...but it sure can be beautiful.
I want you to know that I think you are special. That anyone who ever looked down on you because of what you couldn't do, missed out on all the things you can do. You are worthwhile, the people who can't take the time to see that are pretty unhappy and probably pretty lonely. Many hugs my friend.