Oddball

Have you ever felt like an oddball? Maybe eccentric would be a better word since it means unconventional and slightly strange. I’m laughing as I type this because that does sound perfectly like me.

The average person who sees me most likely won’t notice anything unusual but if you take the time to talk with me you will notice some differences. I do not see or hear and comprehend speech in the way most people do. That would also include visually and hearing impaired people. I am just quite unique in an oddball way. I will own it since it’s unescapable.

Sometimes the differences stand out more to me than other times. Last week a friend and I went on a long walk at a paved trail along the Catawba River. Even with my low vision it was soothing, and peaceful with lush green everywhere. They had apparently opened the damn because the water was rushing and it was such a delightful sound. My friend asked if I could see the white caps of the rushing water and I couldn’t from the paved trail but as we got closer to the water I could see it. She also pointed out a cardinal In a nearby tree, but I couldn’t see that. It was not far from us but as we walked a bit closer it flew away. As we continued to walk, we came upon some signs explaining the history of the area. I could read the signs if I was very close to them. Out of curiosity I asked my friend how far away from the sign she could stand and read it. Wow! She could read it from a nice distance. If you have the gift of good vision, get out and appreciate all that nature offers. Seeing animals in nature would be so amazing, especially deer. A couple of months ago my husband saw a hawk perched on our small garden flag post. He pointed it out to me but it was hard for me to really see it so we snuck up as close as we could and took a picture so I could zoom in to see the details. It was huge and beautiful. He has also taken pictures of rabbits in our yard that I would zoom in to observe. They were adorable. We haven’t seen those in a while which might be due to the hawks visit.

There are also some marked differences in how I experience social situations. I understand parts of conversations but only parts and its rarely consistent. It is the oddest and most frustrating thing but it’s no one’s fault. All I can do is do my part and try, and that’s what I do. With my cochlear implant I can understand some speech. My rate of success varies for many reasons including but not limited to, background noise and if the sound bounces off walls. …etc. Sometime my husband will get frustrated and say, “That thing doesn’t work!”, meaning my cochlear implant processor. I usually respond by saying, “ Really? Let me take it off and we will see exactly how well it works!“. This is always amusing because without it I can’t understand any speech. God bless him for his patience.

Another difference is how I grocery shop or just shop in general. I memorize color schemes on packaging so it helps me find products I’m familiar with. My iPad is also close by when I need to take a picture and zoom so I can see whatever it is.

Watching me try to navigate what life throws is probably comical to watch. I actually laugh at myself quite often, I’m over being concerned about what people think. Being an oddball can be depressing at times. Often times I feel left out but Im still in the situation and have to figure out how to handle things with grace. I’ve learned to smile and let it go. Everyday is a new adventure with new opportunities to allow God to strengthen me in my weaknesses. Im so grateful for the people God has put in my life to support, love and laugh with me. Let’s keep on keeping on.

Check out my autobiography “Rooted by the Water” available online at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Books a Million, Target, Walmart and Park Road Books. My story of learning to live triumphantly despite disabilities, through Gods strength and lessons He has taught me along the way. Be inspired!

Www.shannonkenleyhinson.com