Help in overcoming a childhood trauma?

Question

For the first four years of my life I was legally blind until Prevent Blindness came to my preschool and tested me and I got glasses. I've recently begun to come to understand just how much this has affected my life and how I relate to other people (in fact, the preschool teacher used to complain that I didn't interact well with the other kids and I know that I have difficulties now interacting with others). Could somebody point me in the right direction for resources on understanding and overcoming childhood trauma, especially blindness? Thanks so much.

jemr2x: Actually remembering that now I have a chance to grow is what helps me get out of the times I feel down about this. Thanks for the reminder. I didn't take it as criticism.

andmarge38: I can relate. The same preschool teacher used to be on me about everything... because she didn't realize why I acted the way I did.

Answer 1

try to get referrals from these guys

Answer 2

I had hearing loss that was left untreated and I was never told how bad my hearing was. I went through school wondering why no one wanted to talk to me. When I was 24 I got my first hearing aids and was surprised at how much sound I had been missing. It took me another 10 years to figure out how to interact with people in group situations and to be able to join conversations.

I still get surprised at how many people talk to me from behind me. Even when they know I am hard of hearing and read lips. Just keep telling yourself the problem is no longer a problem and that you can get past it.

You may be able to find support groups that have people that have also been through this type of thing.

Answer 3

I never experienced blindness--but was Left-handed when I went into 1st Grade, and the teacher made it her mission in life to force me to use my Right-Hand! Chants from her and the class rang out, "Right is Right--and left is WRONG!" My speech went to pieces, I was in a chronic state of shame and embarrassment and a total colapse in my self-esteem. For two years, I found out the curse of flunking--you had to repeat the class again with the same teacher who flunked me!! I know this doesn't compare with blindness!! But the poor self-esteem took YEARS to overcome and I made poor decisions in my adult life to compound the issue! I ended up getting into therapy with a TA (Transactional Analysis) reparenting group and did psychodrama's re-doing those painful years. Our Limbic Brain can't tell the difference between imaged-with-emotions and the real events, and then tends to replace the old with the new images! Of course, it wasn't a one-shot thing! I changed my life before I REALLY messed it up! Good Luck!!

Answer 4

dig down and look inside yourself and either come out of this stronger, or let it render you handicapped for the rest of your life. Only you know about why you are you...I'm not one to criticize, though(and I'm not). I've accepted that I'm cursed with damages, as well.