© April 6th, 2017 - 1:51 pm to 2:23 pm
Wray of Friendship and Support or Exercising Clumsiness
I've always had some trouble with some of my motor skills. Me and sports didn't get along well. It was a major source of stress in school. In fact, I became extremely anxious at one point on Sunday nights about going to school the next day and having to go to gym class. I think that was in the 8th or 9th grade. While the extent of my anxiety varied, my anxiety continued.
I was always on the side when it came to physical education class. I was always the last one picked to be on the team, except for in one case. In the 5th grade, my best friend was Billy Wray. I felt like I was smart academically, but limited in physical ability. Billy Wray was smart both in academics and physical ability. In fact, Billy Wray was always the team captain. Looking back, as my memory serves me, Billy Wray always picked me on his team and picked me to go second in line. The game that stands out to me is kickball.
I've always appreciated Billy Wray picking me on his team and going second in line to kick the ball. As my journey has continued, my appreciation grows. He was also, a person of color. And for some reason, even though I feel like I have had somewhat decent relationships with people from a variety of backgrounds, I feel like I haven't had one that was so beautifully close as that one since then. I'll have to continue to explore that relationship as I move forward.
My self was served greatly with that experience in the 5th grade. As I reflect, I'd want to support a way to make sure that everyone was nurtured to meet their needs. My knowing of and being friends with Billy Wray was short lived in terms of the amount of time. I haven't seen him in a long time. But his friendship and support have meant and continue to mean a lot to me. So, thank you Billy Wray. Wherever you are.
I've had some supports in my life which included my mother as an advocate. In some of my conversations with her, she recalled some responses to trying to get help for me. She said that doctor said to just wait and see. Well, after living my life, I was in a place of waiting and seeing. But someone who knows me encouraged or invited me to get a neurological evaluation out of concern for my well being. About 40 years after my experience with Billy Wray, I was diagnosed with Non-Verbal Learning Disorder. I've never heard of (NVLD) and people who I mention it to haven't either. I'm still learning about it and how it relates to my life. But basically, my understanding is that it relates to my fine motor skills which connect with my physical abilities. So, it effects my life with whatever things I need to do. When I was in school, it was with physical education and handwriting. My handwriting continues to be an issue as well as perceptions like with boundaries (which include physical and mental).