Discussion I have a mild/moderate intellectual disability. Ask me anything.

[Skelix]

Why am I doing an AMA? Because I'm bored.

 

[LivingDeadTGirl]

Could Jesus heat a burrito so hot that he himself could not eat it?

 

[Pon]

Well, I suppose what I wanted to know has nothing to do with your disability itself but everything in regards to how it affects you on a personal level.
That is to say, how did it feel figuring this out? Are you ever worried about how others may treat you differently after learning this information?

In general, how would you say knowing that you have such a disability affects you mentally (―if it does) in your daily life?

 

[Languish]

What us the disability?

 

[vercabow]

what is your favourite hobby

 

[Skelix]

Could Jesus heat a burrito so hot that he himself could not eat it?

Well, that's a very confusing question, plus I know almost nothing about the Bible. But my answer would be that Jesus wouldn't be able to eat the burrito he created, but if he has the ability to heat the burrito, he can also cool it down.

Sorry if it's a stupid answer, but I'm just writing what I think.

How did it feel figuring this out?

I felt…

Lonely: I mean, I have no friends, my family doesn't understand me, and they abuse me. I'm not even treated well in so-called neurodivergent groups.

Hopeless: I'm practically screwed because I don't know a single person with intellectual disabilities who has made a mark in the world. All there is are mockery and dehumanization.

Hatred: My mom used to hit me when I was a kid, she wasn't there for me (either because of work or because she was busy with her boyfriends), and she always forced me to socialize, ending up humiliated me as always. My dad wasn't there for me, and yet he had the nerve to have a kid and then leave to start another family, only paying child support. They abandoned me when I was just a child.

Are you ever worried about how others may treat you differently after learning this information?

Others caused me severe social anxiety and still treated me like garbage since I was a child.

In general, how would you say knowing that you have such a disability affects you mentally (―if it does) in your daily life?

A hell, with so many traumas I don't even remember the reason for anymore. I always think I'm useless and stupid, and I don't like doing anything out of fear of mockery or failing in a humiliating way. Society's stereotypes don't help either: I'm not a damn child in an adult's body, that's shameful, especially in therapy. Ignorance isn't happiness; only idiotic pseudophilosophers say that. I'm aware that it's suicide.

What us the disability?

It says it in the title.

what is your favourite hobby

 

[roommate]

If you would play roulette, on which thingy would you put all your money on?

 

[Languish]

It says it in the title.

"Mild/Moderate Intellectual Disability" does not state what the disability is.

 

[Skelix]

If you would play roulette, on which thingy would you put all your money on?

I have never played roulette.

 

[roommate]

What's your favorite number?

 

[Skelix]

"Mild/Moderate Intellectual Disability" does not state what the disability is.

I only read the diagnosis, I don't know what to tell you, sorry :/

What's your favorite number?

My favorite number used to be 7, now it's 8.

 

[whiskeyblanket]

What do you wish your teachers had done for you? Did you have any overwhelmingly positive experiences where teachers went above and beyond to make sure you were successful?

I am a teacher and I have several students with learning disabilities. I want to give them the best possible school experience and do whatever is in my power to help them succeed in life.

Thank you for doing an AMA!

 

[EvisceratedJester]

I'm practically screwed because I don't know a single person with intellectual disabilities who has made a mark in the world.

Making a mark on this world doesn't mean anything. Most people go on to never make a mark on this world despite not having any intellectual disabilities and making a mark on this world doesn't even mean anything at the end of the day. One day, our species will likely go extinct and our planet will be swallowed by the sun. Legacy and making a mark on this world ultimately mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. You shouldn't let stuff like that get to you.

 

[Skelix]

What do you wish your teachers had done for you?

That they had put my bullies in their place (a memorandum, punishments that humiliate them, or at least suspending them) instead of ridiculous reconciliations—many adults were disappointing when it came to my bullying situation.

Did you have any overwhelmingly positive experiences where teachers went above and beyond to make sure you were successful?

I wouldn't say overwhelmingly positive, but a math teacher had a lot of charisma. He treated me the same as everyone else (he didn't know about my disability; he just thought I was lazy lol). If I made a mistake, it wasn't a big deal because he would point it out in a friendly tone. He did the same with my classmates, avoiding favoritism, and then explained the problem for those who didn't understand—but in an interesting way, as if it were an adventure to find the right procedure to reach the answer. I managed to stand out a few times by finishing the math problem before my classmates.


My experience as a student in a public school with neurotypical people.

I am a teacher and I have several students with learning disabilities. I want to give them the best possible school experience and do whatever is in my power to help them succeed in life.

Teachers like you are awesome, good luck!

Making a mark on this world doesn't mean anything. Most people go on to never make a mark on this world despite not having any intellectual disabilities and making a mark on this world doesn't even mean anything at the end of the day. One day, our species will likely go extinct and our planet will be swallowed by the sun. Legacy and making a mark on this world ultimately mean nothing in the grand scheme of things. You shouldn't let stuff like that get to you.

I would have liked to see a person with an intellectual disability stand out so that society could understand that we can achieve things just like everyone else if given the right support (like Forrest Gump). It would also inspire others to push themselves, if he can do it, many others can too. But that never happened, and many people treat us like a casual joke or as if we're useless. So, I'm not against the extinction of humanity = goodbye to bad memories and experiences!

 

[whiskeyblanket]

That they had put my bullies in their place (a memorandum, punishments that humiliate them, or at least suspending them) instead of ridiculous reconciliations—many adults were disappointing when it came to my bullying situation.

I wouldn't say overwhelmingly positive, but a math teacher had a lot of charisma. He treated me the same as everyone else (he didn't know about my disability; he just thought I was lazy lol). If I made a mistake, it wasn't a big deal because he would point it out in a friendly tone. He did the same with my classmates, avoiding favoritism, and then explained the problem for those who didn't understand—but in an interesting way, as if it were an adventure to find the right procedure to reach the answer. I managed to stand out a few times by finishing the math problem before my classmates.


My experience as a student in a public school with neurotypical people.



Teachers like you are awesome, good luck!

I would have liked to see a person with an intellectual disability stand out so that society could understand that we can achieve things just like everyone else if given the right support (like Forrest Gump). It would also inspire others to push themselves, if he can do it, many others can too. But that never happened, and many people treat us like a casual joke or as if we're useless. So, I'm not against the extinction of humanity = goodbye to bad memories and experiences!

Thank you for taking the time to write this out. This helps me help others a lot. I was also bullied horribly and therefore have no tolerance for bullies. I try to call it out right away but I'm sure there's stuff I miss (which I feel awful about and try to always remain vigilant of).

I know my students with disabilities are not lazy, but I also know that sometimes the ways in which I encourage them to push beyond their comfort zones may make it seem like I see them as lazy. I will keep this in mind. I actually encourage and thank my students for making mistakes in class, as I know for fact that there are kids with AND without disabilities who will make the same mistake, and it's just an opportunity for all of us to learn from. I always try to make sure everyone has a fair shot at solving the problem and a voice in offering different types of solutions (math teacher here as well).

Some of my brightest students have been neurodivergent and/or diagnosed with disabilities. As a society, we should do better with praising those who find success, because I assure you, there are many (even though it doesn't seem that way).

Thanks again for the response--I wish you all the best!

 

[EvisceratedJester]

I would have liked to see a person with an intellectual disability stand out so that society could understand that we can achieve things just like everyone else if given the right support (like Forrest Gump). It would also inspire others to push themselves, if he can do it, many others can too. But that never happened, and many people treat us like a casual joke or as if we're useless. So, I'm not against the extinction of humanity = goodbye to bad memories and experiences!

I get it. You might like this video about this single father who has a mild intellectual disability but who still goes out of his way to care for his daughter the best that he can (and honestly seems to be doing a better job at it compared to many neurotypical individuals)

 

[nogods4me]

If only people were not so concerned with status, competition and rankings. But they are.

 

[slamjoetry]

How often do you deal with people being condescending to you, talking to you like you're dumb?

 

[The_Hunter]

Hopeless: I'm practically screwed because I don't know a single person with intellectual disabilities who has made a mark in the world. All there is are mockery and dehumanization.

Helen Keller :)

 

[The_Hunter]

Well, that's a very confusing question, plus I know almost nothing about the Bible. But my answer would be that Jesus wouldn't be able to eat the burrito he created, but if he has the ability to heat the burrito, he can also cool it down.

Sorry if it's a stupid answer, but I'm just writing what I think.

I think that's actually a pretty fair & smart answer, tbh. You might say that it's.. a wrap! (heh)

 

[Skelix]

How often do you deal with people being condescending to you, talking to you like you're dumb?

Every day of my life, it fucked with my mind and self-esteem.

 

[Yume Nikki]

What are some of the things you usually struggle with? Do you also have memory loss?