Everything...And I do mean EVERYTHING.
We've all often wondered just how much our gene sequencing and DNA strands actually contribute to the person we are....physically, intellectually, emotionally ect. We give it a thought, and then move to the next topic crossing our minds.
Over the last year I've done a ton of reading and research on the subject. What I've found is staggering.
It isn't just the medical or physical stuff. Not even the emotional or chemical imbalance stuff. The testing today is incredibly accurate, and the knowledge coming forth from our DNA and gene strands...well...enlightening and horrifying at the same time.
I know you've all been wondering where the heck IS..Lee? The truth isn't very exciting actually. I've been spending time with my immediate family, bonding, learning, and some heart in the throat all the time stuff. My daughter and two grandchildren have been with me every single day over the past four or five months. I've had a lot of bad news, some will call it. But actually it's just life and the hardships that can and will eventually ensue. I'm of the mind to make the best of what we are dealt in life. What's the other option eh? I've found my grandson suffers from ADHD, autism spectrum disease, and PDD-NOS for those informed on such matters. I could tell you it breaks my heart. But funny thing...I always knew my grandson was a very special little man. I've always known he was and would be different. Despite the strange emerging symptoms, he's gotta be the sweetest spirit of a boy/young man I've ever met. I've never met a boy or man like him. He has a smile that lights up any room. A laugh that brings one to tears. And a heart? One I've never experienced before. Not a mean bone in his body. Never an evil thought to harm another or work to get something out of a person for his satisfaction. Kind and fun and loving to all he encounters. Inquisitive about everything, and a mind that won't stop working....let alone a body that never sleeps.....too much to see and DO Nana!
Society puts a stigmatism on autism and like mental chemical imbalances. It just pisses me off and always has and will. We all are walking chemical factories. All of us with different balances and imbalances here and there. And all of this genetics? Absolutely.
We are, whether we want to admit it, see it or learn of it....a direct result of our genetic mixture from mom and dad. Ok..so we deal with the imbalances and defects, or so called societal defects. Even more frustrating is to know and understand exactly why we exhibit the symptoms of our imbalances or personal makeup, can look back at family members and see where it went bad for them. But the worst part of knowledge and understanding......understanding it is ALL in our genetic make up is this. Sometimes, no most times we cannot overcome the final edict/result. Call it a bent. We know we have it, we know it's not good, we seek all man made avenues to overcome it, but in the end, we succumb to the genetic makeup of our lives. Genetics are so strong, even if one understands the issue, tries and tries and tries to overcome, we will still succumb to the weak link in ourselves and our genetic makeup. You cannot alter or rehabilitate your genetic structure. However understanding your genetic makeup and why you do those crazy things you do that you know aren't healthy or good, is a whole separate issue and battle.
All we can do is realize our body is a chemical factory. And because of our genetic gifts from our blending parents, the best we can do is learn about it. Learn that it isn't that your bad or evil or unsavable. You simply ARE a product of the genetic structure given you. Now this is no excuse to give up or in or succumb. But rather this. Let me give you a couple examples.
Mental impairment or illness is not a singular disease. It is however the result of 1000's of genetic sequencing that once together provides a myriad of results. Two partners now can test for all kinds of genetic diseases and impairments in a perspective child. I don't know if that's so good know what I mean.
If you knew you would have an autistic child, would you bring it into this world? Most of you will say no. Would it surprise you to learn that it is now an EPIDEMIC? One in 15,000 children ten years ago. One in 150 now.
But I say WHAT? What kind of a society have we become (Hitleristic if you ask me) if an infirmity, disability, impairment or imbalance makes us unworthy of a try at life? As with my grandson. Yes I see the uphill battles coming. Yes I've had to acquire patience of a saint, and of course fail often at that. But what I see is a life of a boy God ordained to be in this earth. A boy who would know nothing but struggle and frustration and disappointment and labels being put on him. But have you ever noticed that God truly doesn't give a person more than they can handle? Case and point. My grandson will make you roll in laughter....frequently. Tear your hair out at times too, wink! But such a sweet and loving and bright mind and child, I've never seen. Cards stacked against him societally. But back to the genes. He also got the strong willed I will do it or prevail no matter what you or the masses say. A wonderment for learning and a voracious appetite for electronics and gadgets, constantly ascertaining the importance or relevance of a thing. An extrovert who by God is going to talk, even if it sounds like an alien one syllable language! He understands what he is saying, what? Can't you, lol.
My point is this. If you know and realize you are imperfect, maybe impaired according to the world and peoples snooty labels and judgements...has it ever occurred to you that you're made exactly and perfectly to God the way he designed you? Babes it ain't in your perfections that you shine in life and are loved and appreciated, it's in your fallibilities and weaknesses. Weaknesses and situations they say you'll never be normal in or overcome, that you have a chance to struggle towards betterment, or...demonstrate to people in this world that the blessings come through the imperfect in our world, not...the so called perfect. And, in our falls, imperfections, ailments, diseases, mental disorders (by the way 70% of corporate America are on some mood elevating drug....fact) don't these things give us a chance to see we can never be perfect, without fault or flaw? Thus perhaps finally realizing our need of God in our lives and those lives of our children? Isn't adversity the best teacher? Doesn't it humble us to be empathetic to those around us suffering too?
And one last thing. I am of the belief that God allows things like my grandson is suffering from, for another reason. When the world says you won't, you can't, you're autistic, you have ADHD, you're hyper, you have temper tantrums. Well.....ever consider the reason you are like this, or your child is suffering from whatever, that God gave this to you because he knew you'd find a way to overcome it and then help another?
Genetic flaws and diseases. Sometimes the best things in life come in so called (by the world) damaged packages. It is in our fallibilities and imbalanced bodies or minds that real humans........are crafted.
I've left you a picture of Dalty to give you an idea what joy in infirmity looks like. Tell me you aren't smiling.
All My Love ~
Lee
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