45 & only just found out....

[karrier-bag]

Hi there

I am Greg, 45 and I've only just found out I am dyspraxic (not been officially dotted yet), I always wondered why I was so accident prone, finding out is down to my super wife (who for 18 years so far has put up with me) who worked it out, we have a friend who we knew is dyspraxic & my wife spotted lots of little similarities between us, she didn't quite know how to talk to me about it so talked to our son (17) who said they should sit me down & run me through a check list.

We did & I scored high, they worked out that I had used 22 years running a kids circus as my coping mechamisum & an excuse as a clown (not the red nose type mind)for my falling over / stumbling about, my by line was 'I have practiced falling over for many years and can now do it in my sleep', I can unicycle in a way most can't and I can diabolo masterclass, the biggest thing for me with all this is the way my wife now deals with my 'episodes' as she puts it, no more shouting, me running out the house with head feeling like it will explode, I just sit there now with head exploading (so we have managed to stop me legging it) & talk through it & the other thing is that she can tell me to 'go to your yard' when the pressure for her is too much & I stay in the motorhome & play with my trucks.

I really am happy to have found this forum, I run one myself for vehicles & administrate on a few others but I am not just a member in any so this will be a nice & different environment for me.

[Tom fod]

Hi Greg

Welcome to the forums. I've come to the conclusion that this site is by far the best source of help advice and support there is out there.

You've got this far without knowing about dyspraxia I'm afraid there doesn't seem to be a great deal of help out there and getting a official recognition or diagnosis is a bit of a minefield. It's great that you have support from your wife and son and have interests you can absorb yourself in as an escape outlet.

I'm sure you'll find like minded people here and helpful info and advice.

All the best

[karrier-bag]

Hi Tom
Thanks for the welcome, your signature took me back a bit, I remember seeing PaTTTB many times in Brighton in an old punk club



edited smilie

[Willr0490]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

[Tim G]

Hi Greg, welcome to the forum I know your above the avrage age of people who are digignosed but there is no age limet so as long as it helps and being hear helps its all good

I am quite impresed that you can do circus skills - this is somthing i havent heard from anyone else who is dyspraxic

I fully understand about the mental aspects and stress etc - the same has happend to me a lot of times and like you I have a fnatastic partner who has really helped me.

[nickye]

Hi Greg
Welcome to the forum. I think this is a great place, it's been a life saver for me! I'm 44, I've not got an official diagnosis either, but I'm going to see a neurologist on Monday (bit nervous now!!) So much of it fits me, it explains so many of my problems/depression etc it's made me feel better and more positive already.
I don't know where you live, but The Dyspraxia Foundation have a lot of local groups and they're brilliant, at least the one in Berkshire is where I live. I talked to the lady there, and I couldn't believe it - for the first time I felt understood. Not that family and friends are unkind to me but they'll say things like "it's just your lack of confidence" or "you've just got to try a bit harder and concentrate". When I told the lady how although there's nothing physically wrong with my legs I find it a struggle parking and walking around the town, she just nodded and seemed to understand. Sorry I'm rambling on, but it's been such a revelation!

I get very emotional, depressed, get angry outbursts, but since I've been learning more about dyspraxia I can stop and think about things rationally, and try to find ways round things to make them easier.

And yes I'm extremely impressed you do circus skills! I had a go at plate spinning earlier this year and couldn't do it - mind you, nor could most of the other people do it very well if at all! I think that dyspraxia does teach you perseverence! the strange thing is that although it took me years to ride a bike and swim (neither of which I'm still very good at and only do under protest or pestering from my daughter!) as soon as I went ice-skating and roller-skating I could do it straight away no problem and balance easily. The mind is an amazing thing though!

I really hope you get the help you need. My GP was really nice luckily - although she did say she'd never have an adult ask about this before! (Yes I knew I was odd!) But she did take me seriously and has got me appointment on the NHS very quickly (only about 6 weeks beforehand which I though was amazing!)

Anyway take care and good luck.
Nicky

[karrier-bag]

Hi everyone & thanks for the welcomes.

Circus skills, yes I can do them all except trapeeze and have spent the last 20 years or so teaching them to all abilities and ages including dyslexic / dyspraxic / blind / deaf children & adults.
It came as a surprise to me too when I found out, juggling is the one thing I don't really like but can do it, plate spinning all comes down to 'not trying to hard' if you try to hard you will fail evey tiime, its all in the wrist action you know!!

(I am not soliciting for work by the way, I kinda have wound down the circus side of things for the moment)

I live in east yorkshire (Goole) but am from Lewes in sussex, i'm not worried about people knowoing who I am It is nothing to be ashamed of & i am plastered all over the net anyway, I have never in 20 odd years rehearsed a show for myself because of...well........I like things to be different everytime, I really think circus skills has helped me and those who I have worked with over the years.
I know people with dyslexia get a lot from it and in my experience they do better & learn quicker than 'normal' people (if you can call anyone normal) as do many with other disabilities.

I know this is only the into area so I won't start on about what has happened to me over the last week, I will do that elsewhere in a bit but it's been 'fun' (not) I can tell you and an eye opener too.