As my condition progresses and my speech becomes more and more disoriented and painful; I need to remember that there is a meaning to all this. The article to your left (which I will also add to the inspiration tab) reminds me that there is something that we can do. Even though some people do not understand what I am going through and act as if by me being strong they can dismiss the suffering this condition causes; I can bring about change. I cannot let others affect my well being, my positive outlook. I say this because this past week, I have had to talk less and deal with others disapproval. They seem to deal with me not talking in a negative manner. It's almost as if they believe that by me not speaking I am being disrespectful. "How dare you decide not to attempt to speak," their non-verbal cues tell me. The other day I asked to write instead of trying to speak and I was told to forget it. "Writing or signing is not showing strength, you are weak." But in actuality I feel that by me writing or signing, instead of me speaking, shows that dystonia cannot keep me quiet. There are more ways to communicate then to speak. In my other excerpt I spoke about non-verbal communication as well. Hopefully, as dystonia becomes a part of my life others will learn to accept me as a strong women that will not keep quiet, even if my tongue cannot relay what I need to say.
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