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Warren Fried From Dyspraxia USA
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Hi there all those of you from the USA who have found this site. In case you dont know I've got good news for you there is now a self help group accross the pond for people with dyspraxia called Dyspraxia USA
WARREN'S SPEECH FOR DANDA 2006 CONFERENCE
Introduction
Hello my name is Warren Fried and I an thrilled to speak to the parents, professionals and all members interested upon the ‘beauty’ of being neurodiverse. As you can tell by my odd accent I have had the privilege to live in many different locals throughout my 25 years of life. Although each step was quite challenging due to my dyspraxia, the notion to be independent encumbers ND. When you look upon the word ‘dyspraxia’ the Greek definition defines it as being ‘bad’, ‘horrible’ and ‘wrong’ upon action and thought. But as an independent I believe the meaning is its complete opposite. ‘Motivated’, ‘caring’ and ‘determined’ to apply your thoughts and movements to the best of your ability. The biggest concern we face in the states is that people judge on a ‘materialistic’ society, the outside appearance which isn’t prevalent upon a hidden condition. Therefore I believe its time to bridge the gap of social misunderstanding in the States upon dyspraxia by the knowledge of medical and informative information details upon other dyspraxics organisations encompassed around the world. 'Dyspraxia USA’ has been formed.
Dyspraxia
As many of you know dyspraxia is a complicated neurological brain disorder which affects each individual upon their own special means. This condition has had many titles over the years: DCD, Clumsy Child Syndrome, and minimal brain damage.
Two key factors are vital to understand the condition:
1. Dyspraxia is a life long disorder that does nor just go disappear but tricks can help for your personal means of living.
2. When you have dyspraxia more so than other related conditions, I believe that the condition can be traced back to the left and right side of the brain not connecting properly due to small gaps in undeveloped neurons.
Thus what you think in your mind and how you apply the action is altered in movement through means of expression. Therefore the message you try to express to oneself and society is not always understood.
People lucky enough to be ND have common concerns with co-ordination gross and fine motor skills, speech and sensation with concerns of touch and sound. Therefore many dyspraxics will seek some sort of medical assistance to learn tricks on how to cope better with their ND. The amazing bit with this hidden condition and still limited understanding of this condition the list of medical support is lengthy, ie OTs, Speech and language therapists, neurologists, paediatricians, and many more! Despite receiving help in such specific areas the overall diagnosis of dyspraxia is rarely determined in the States. Thus the sufferer feels isolated, depressed and violent due to the fact that they just want to see others like them and although it is challenging, they are not alone!
My Story
My parents and I always knew that I was indeed ‘special’ . As a child my youngest ‘mates’ and memories were: Woodcock-Johnson, Mr Wais and the Wisc family, These tests examined what sort of ND conditions I was associated with. Although these tests were long and taken many times throughout my youth the results were only limited and only presented small bits of the puzzle. I was told that I only had fine motor, visual motor, spatial awareness and depth perception concerns. I was never given my true and proper diagnosis until I was 18 when living in the UK. If only I had been diagnosed earlier, I would have been able to explain to my peers the full aspect of my dyspraxia and ND. Whilst living in the UK for the first time in my life I knew that I was not alone by reading from websites, looking upon forums and bring able to attend events and meetings thus I decided it was time to bring the knowledge I had learned in the UK across the pond. Therefore after countless times of explaining to job centres, sports centres, and other social settings in the States about my condition, and being given blank looks. I knew I had to finally help my people 6% of the States! I knew all too well the confusion, loneliness, and despair that comes with having a condition that is unrecognised by not only the general public, but the medical world as well. Having a neurological disorder can make daily life challenging enough without having to fight the battle for social inequality on top of it! Thus the goal of Dyspraxia USA is not only to offer support and spread awareness about dyspraxia, but also lessen the burden that individual dyspraxics and their families feel
Dyspraxia USA
Dyspraxia USA became officially incorporated at the end of April 2006 due to the kindness and hard work of many people. We have been so lucky to have received great guidance along the way from a legal team, accountants and many other skilled people along the way. Also we have been mentioned in a newspaper, received countless emails from parents, professionals alike. What we believe at Dyspraxia USA is that it is time for our people to take a stand and receive proper recognition within society. Although dyspraxia is a hidden disability it is time to celebrate ND and we strongly believe that changing the way that makes us special is wrong,that medication, experimental procedures and ways of changing our wiring, would not be beneficial at all to our people. Now that we have finally become settled into our office, we began the long process of networking and gaining the publics trust and respect. We have become so detailed that children with the condition have their own theme tune ’the way I’m wired’ by Roy Miller to make them feel proud and important through tough times. However we are still in the progress of creating a logo and establishing a proper list of doctors and other professionals who will be able to not only assist the organisation and offer their services to the members who join our website. Therefore through persistence and hard work our organisation will grow as I continue to grow an independent living with dyspraxia.
Dyspraxia USA’s Goals
Our Goal is to bridge the gap between Europe and other Commonwealth countries, so that parents in the states with dyspraxic children can receive the most detailed information regarding their condition. Here at dyspraxia USA we take pride upon people with dyspraxia and ND conditions. We foresee a great movement, a high functioning Autistic University, and a place on our website where ND adults can inspire children with similar conditions. My colleagues and I will give their full dedication and motivation to truly inspire the public, parents and professionals and others who are touched by dyspraxia ti realise that we are not alone and we can do whatever web put our minds to it.
Trip to UK
During the last 2 weeks I came to the UK on a mission of knowledge, learning and understanding regarding dyspraxia. I have seen how the condition is looked upon and treated from small villages to massive cities. Whilst in the Scottish Highlands I met a lovely family who after chatting with them realised that they also keep up the fight upon ND and now believe that their son has much more hope than that they believed previously. In North Wales I saw how a small village came together to celebrate the ‘beauty of dyspraxia’ through a car boot sale and awareness day. Their 12 year old dyspraxic child who showed me the link dyspraxics have by mutual understanding and high levels of determination. Sadly in Manchester I interacted with an adult dyspraxic who suffered high levels of bullying. Therefore I will greatly like to give thanks to the people of the UK for establishing such great and informative centres up and down the country. It has been my pleasure to have been able to represent dyspraxia over the past 2 weeks!
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