Normal

[Fedup]

Its been a couple of days since I looked around here. In one way, I feel better knowing that someone else can relate. But then I can feel the despare, the sence of hopelessness, wonder, its all there. Again I ask and this is probably stupid, but why normal, who says I am not normal. What defines normal or who.
Last night, saturday night, I had 3 holidays (my nickname for seizure). The first was mild, The second was, well the usual, go unconscious, move around, become conscious but not aware, then sleep, ect. A couple of hours later, it was much the same only for some reason milder, I am not complaining about that, never. I sleep for a few hours, probably about 8/10 hours. Now I am kind of back to normal, well my normal. Then about two hours ago I was asked, "why are you not normal", can someone please answer this question, because I am out of answers.

 

[kellert16]

Normal is such a big word.... my normal isn't your normal or the other persons normal! We all have our own normal and if someone thinks differently then they AREN'T any type of normal. I wonder about people...

I was told since I had seizures, that i was no longer normal... interesting, because of an illness I am different... NO! people suck

 

[acpollard2010]

don't let others define what you consider to be normal if anybody even is im not but its not my epilepsy that makes me different its my personality that makes us all unique in our own way

 

[Dolores]

There is no one in the world who is absolutely normal. Some people's issues may be less dramatic than a tonic/clonic seizure but that does not mean they are absolutely normal. They may not even have to admit to their issues - still does not mean they are normal.

So - who really cares about being "normal"?

I have been reading about Lee Pearson (link) ever since the 2012 Paralympics started. Lee was born with arthrogryposis multiplex congenita - his legs were wrapped around each other and arms & hands horribly twisted. By age 6 he had had 15 operations. He still has very limited mobility in his joints - none in his knees and ankles. His mother & father refused to let his disability define him so when his brothers got BMX Bikes Lee got a donkey.
Because of his disability he found his passion.

I find Lee very interesting because he is an incredible rider
But even more so because he is just such a great person - someone I'd really like to know. He hasn't let his disability hold him back - he bought a farm where he breeds horses and he describes himself as "a working class bloke with a mortgage to pay".

Now when I get in a "why me" mood I think about Lee. I remember exactly what he looks like (Photo of Lee) and remind myself that he can't ever hope to be "normal" and the world will always know it.

But if you listen to him (interview) you quickly forget the disability - I think maybe because he's accepted it and moved past it.

I'm not saying that what you are feeling is wrong - it is what you feel.
I know how hard it is not to let despair steal your dreams.
But I also know I ruin my today by allowing myself to be depressed about what I think will happen tomorrow.
I start limiting my possibilities when I let myself think "oh I'll never be able to do that".

I am normal for me and you are normal for you.
The only thing you need to concern yourself about is when you stop feeling like your normal self.
Otherwise - go out, enjoy life and laugh at others who say you are not normal.

Because in the words of some great philosopher ...

 

[no.guru]

Even if it isn't clear what it is, normal does exist. But nobody is normal in every way, and so what even if they were. Normal = average.

Normal doesn't mean healthy.

 

[Fedup]

Thank You, I have to say I agree completly with everything that was said, I should not be, but I am shocked at this quistion coming from an inlaw, who I believe needs more help than can be given. It was something I did not expect to hear, even though I was told that when I was younger. This man is only 28/29. I am stupid to think things were changing.