As long as there is imagination

The second clinical impression on my son has just been forwarded to me. It is PDD (pervasive developmental disorder). Through the daze I decide to tackle it with optimism, and with as less drama as possible. In an effort to find something to kick start work on this challenge I find inspiration in the words of people who had learning difficulties and disabilities. From Tourette’s syndrome to dyslexia, to OCD, to stuttering, they have been there, done that, got the T-shirt. I am going to get my T-shirt too.

1. Adversity leads us to think properly of our state, and so is most beneficial to us. Samuel Johnson

2. Courage is fear holding on a minute longer. George S. Patton

3. If you are going to go through hell, keep going. Winston Churchill

4. Passion is the great slayer of adversity. Focus on strengths and what you enjoy. Charles Schwab

5. We think of children as vulnerable. In my experience, they’re giants. Their bodies and souls are amazingly resilient. What we often mistake for fragility is their openness…. Fred Epstein

6. Every production of an artist should be the expression of an adventure of his soul. Somerset Maugham

7. If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there. Lewis Carroll

8. How paramount the future is to the present when one is surrounded by children. Charles Darwin

9. Everything is theoretically impossible, until it is done. Robert A. Heinlein

10. Everything should be made as simple as possible, but not simpler. Albert Einstein

11. Discontent is the first necessity of progress. Thomas Alva Edison

12. A slender acquaintance with the world must convince every man that actions, not words, are the true criterion of the attachment of friends. George Washington

13. Disneyland will never be completed. It will continue to grow as long as there is imagination left in the world. Walt Disney

Megan and Janet host Thursday Thirteen

A challenge and an optimism

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Charles Schwab

At Tea Talk we briefly share how we are feeling and what we are thinking. Visit Ruth @ Celebrate Friendship for more

I’m having my usual iced lemon tea in a not-so-usual long, slender glass. It’s a commercial drink today, well, like most of the drinks that appear on my Tea Talk posts.  This one’s an order from a restaurant at Thaniya Plaza where I browse golf equipment.

I’m feeling dazed but optimistic.  My son’s second clinical impression is  PDD (pervasive developmental disorder). I was on the phone with his psychologist and occupational therapist discussing sessions.  A massive homework lies in front of me.

On my mind is predictably my son.  While my decision is to tackle his developmental issues, I have not forgotten all the fun things he and I are going to do. The rewards I am going to give him for every little success he makes are already crowding my mind.  I leave the therapy to the specialists.  Thank goodness they exist.

Are you familiar with Charles Schwab?  I’m not.  I have never heard of him until a few minutes ago when I looked around for something to inspire me in the midst of this challenge I am in right now.

A quick fact: Charles Schwab is the chairman and founder of Charles Schwab Corporation, a brokerage and banking company.  That’s SUCCESS written all over but before all that, he failed remedial English due to a learning disability.   Looking at him now I think there is credibility in what he says:

“Passion is the great slayer of adversity. Focus on strengths and what you enjoy.”