Anyone who has ever had the opportunity to become acquainted with the ups and downs of life with additional considerations will inevitably be asked... "What is "normal" anyway?" Usually this comment comes with a sincere, underlying desire to ease the anxiety that "anything outside the typical mold" is cause for alarm.
It is true that each individual grows and develops according to their own unique biological clock. It is equally true that on occasion, a deviance from what one can typically expect at any given stage is an indication of something concerning, something requiring further exploration. The challenge is to find the balance in considering the two realities.
We tend to equate "normal" for "no need to worry." For those who face a life that is "not normal," who overcome additional challenges and considerations as they develop into the person they have been created to be, the difference between "normal" and "not" can feel quite overwhelming. Perhaps it creates a loneliness, or a maturity that is not matched by one's peers. Or, it can mean the difference between a "predictable life" and one filled with doctor appointments, good and bad news, waiting and test results.
The illusion of "normal" - or rather, the absence of worry - may seem very appealing indeed!!
Perhaps it is best to embrace this tension by suggesting that what is come to be expected for one child or one family can be (and usually is) different than what is typical for another. What is "normal" for one is different, yet perhaps no "better" or "worse," than what is "normal" for another.
How do you define normal?
No comments:
Post a Comment