Susan's Place Transgender Resources

Was reading Pica Pica's blog and saw a mention of dyspraxia, and that got me wondering.

I've always had trouble learning movement when it has a left/right or clockwise/counterclockwise component.  Forget exercise videos.  It frustrated me in aikido, and continues to frustrate me in taiko songs that have choreography to them.  I can watch someone do something and not be able to imitate it or say which way which arm made a circle, for instance.  It's like my short term memory is just not there, but it's fine for other aspects of movement, rhythm, etc.

Also have trouble remembering left/right or N/S/E/W navigational directions until it becomes a habit.

When I was little, I was a very emotional kid and cried a lot.  My parents took me to a psychologist, and all I remember from that was embarrassment from having to walk around in my underwear to test something about my motor skills, which of course upset me and started me crying.  The dude prescribed me a tranquilizer "to keep me quiet" (which pissed off my parents) and suggested I take karate or something to develop my motor skills, which were lacking in his opinion.  I wound up in Judo, was bad at it, didn't like it much and finally managed to quit.

(I'm sure it never occured to anyone that maybe a conflict of gender roles/identity was at work with my emotional issues.  Perhaps even blood sugar, as the "depression" I had in my 20s got better after I was diagnosed as diabetic and started treating it.)

Uh, anyway.  Only recently have I read the term "dyspraxia," but it seems to fit fairly well.

Just wondering whether this is something androgynes tend to have, or just a coincidence.  It occurs to me I should make a poll except I'm posting from my phone and don't want to risk losing what I've laboriously typed.

Someone reads me blog? Blimey.

I was going to say, 'I've been reckoned dyspraxic - but I spose there's not point now'.

I reckoned (certainly at a point where my andro-origin tale was still interesting me) that being dyspraxic blocked me from doing many of the things the males were doing and so helped develop socially my interaction with females and my enjoyment of things that they 'typically' enjoyed and developing socially (and playfully) in ways closer to female than male.

So that it wasn't that being a clumsy git was an androgyne thing in itself, but that it channelled me in areas where my sense of society and self became more female influenced then may not have been.

It must be a relieve to know there is a reason or cause for it.

While I'm sure I don't have dyspraxia, and my directional skills are about par, my motor skills may be slightly below average. I do fall squarely into the "clumsy git" category, though. I doubt it's related, but it is an interesting coincidence.

Im not clumsy or anything.
I have pretty good reflexes, it sometimes amazes me.
I move flowy a lot, like, in curves instead of strsight lines.

When I'm walking to somewhere I feel as if Im a fish swimming against current, avoiding obstacles and playing with the scenery.
Im sure it must be fun to watch me walk. I have fun, at least.

I dont dance because I feel silly, but I've been known to actually breakdance badly. Im not muscly or strong, so it was a very short lived affair lol

regarding dancing, what I don't have is rhythm. Im good at Dance Dance Revolution, but not because of the sound rhythm, but because im good with most machines, lol
Im not very good at music stuff.

I dunno

I used to say I just *don't* dance.  And for the good of humanity (you're welcome) I didn't sing either.

Then a friend got me at least "walking around rhythmically" to bellydance music.

Then I started in taiko... where some of the movement is dance, and the shouts sometimes are chants or even songs.  I'll never be accused of being a *good* dancer, but occasionally I can look like I'm having a good time.  So long as choreography isn't involved.  The songs I prefer to play are the ones that are either badass or joyful but don't involve too much footwork or fancy twirls.

i don't have any problems with my motor skills, i can even dance, and my sense of direction and map reading skills are far better than average. only thing i've trouble with is remembering the difference between right and left, but that may have to do with me being slightly ambidextrous. when i was taking driving lessons i did some times go in the opposite direction of what the teacher asked me to, so i ended up asking "up or down?" or making him point in the direction when i couldn't remember before getting to the crossroads. but i never make that wrong either as long as i get enough time to think

Quote from: ZaidaZadkiel on August 16, 2011, 10:48:46 AM
When I'm walking to somewhere I feel as if Im a fish swimming against current, avoiding obstacles and playing with the scenery.
Im sure it must be fun to watch me walk. I have fun, at least.

I have an unusual walk - I wouldn't have known it but have been told a number of times.

I remember once, I had mumps and was out of action for three weeks, when I returned to my natural haunts an acquaintance said they had missed me 'strutting around the place'.

I have friends spot me from far distances, in big crowds and other improbable places because of my (presumably) improbable walk. That and kids mimic me in the street sometimes. When they do mimic it, it is always quite an expansive walk, large and cheerful - so I'm not complaining. I do wear down shoes very quickly though.

- I also love to dance. I can and have danced all night and enjoyed myself completely - a few times.
I have also nearly been punched in the face because I have knocked into someone, spilt their drink or trod on their toes - many times.

(https://www.susans.org/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fphotos-d.ak.facebook.com%2Fphotos-ak-snc1%2Fv344%2F44%2F38%2F727006203%2Fn727006203_1458659_1292.jpg&hash=3f20df8e5868c1b75e8f4ef1871e0224e89691fc)

Pica just added 'Dashing' to the resume'.

Left and right directionaly is not a problem, but looking at someone I can't tell which side is which. I have never been lost while out in the wild, I'm a great compass, usually. Dexterity is very high, ambidextrious to a high degree, but can't write with my left hand, at least not easily.

I used to be known for standing upright on the seat of my Harley with my arms extended  while cruising down Main St. at 30mph about 4-5 blocks just so my buddies could get a good laugh out of it.
Nothing much special, I think I rate a little higher on the score board.

Ativan

My reflexes can be pretty impressive at times but I bump into things a lot. I've never understood why and have just assumed tables have some sort of magnetic pull on me.

Quote from: Pharaun on August 16, 2011, 05:35:47 PM
My reflexes can be pretty impressive at times but I bump into things a lot. I've never understood why and have just assumed tables have some sort of magnetic pull on me.

For me it's doors, sometimes they won't open and I bump into them. It's funny.

Doors do that with me too. I hit the handle and the handle will not obey and I just keep going. I find it amusing as long as it it not early and I end up spilling coffee on myself.

lol, i too have a problem with doors that won't understand the word "sesame". i even touch the handle some times, and still i bump into the door instead of walking through it