Gifted Issues Discussion homepage Forums Parenting and Advocacy Positive things about being gifted

I think the greatest benefit to me has been the ability to suck in information and make decisions in relatively quick and sensible fashion.

An example would be pertinent to this board. When I discovered Mite was 2E, I was able to gather resources rapidly, develop quick and thorough understanding of evaluations, assessments, educational styles, medical and learning disorders...etc. I was then able to almost immediately take up a strong advocacy for Mite's needs in both the educational and medical settings. The principal of a local school has heard of my advocacy skills and has asked me to be his advocate for his 6 year old, 2E child. See my huff on my fingers and polish my hand off on my shirt;^().

Or for example, a friend of mine needed a web site. I had an interest in learning web design; so, I was able within a matter of about 6 weeks, to master enough of Dreamweaver 8, Fireworks, Freehand and Flash and put together an excellent web site for my friend all the while immensely enjoying the intellectual challenge. Given that I'd never heard of those programs prior to being asked to help, it was pretty impressive. It was all for fun and I'm glad my giftedness allows for such intense learning.

In another practical sense, when my father arrived on my doorstep 7 years ago, penniless and deathly ill, I was able to undertake his caregiving needs, develop thorough understanding of his various medical disorders, quickly become quite knowledgeable of the medical welfare programs in our state, and get my father back to health and financial stability in just a matter of a few months.

The funny thing is, most people think I have neglected my abilities by being a stay-at-home mom, running a daycare business. I can list hundreds of things I have done that utilized my intelligence and benefited others, but other people get stuck at "daycare mom" and treat me like an idiot...until I blast them with a bit of my high VCI vocab;^P

One thing I hate though, that still happens to me, is when people realize I have such high ability and will sidle up to me acting like I'm their friend and try to use my intelligence for some need they have, then drop me like a hotcake when they are done using my skills. I'm so on to that behavior now that I'm very touchy and aloof from people until **I** decide I can help them in some way.

Wow, I need you to advocate for me and my 2e! LOL!!! That is great you were able to get your child's problems recognized and were able to advocate effectively.

I think researching is one of my best skills too though I haven't had to use it as extensively as you have. I also hate when people "use" you only for their benefit. It is disheartening to help someone only to find out they were just using you in some fashion.

EandC--I have such a big smile on my face right now from your nice comment (funny how some of the nicest parts of the day can come from cyber friends). I was just thinking about how many things I'm involved with would be so much more enjoyable with some peers involved. It would be so much more rewarding and probably better accomplished...I think that's how our kids must feel in most everything they do. If only they could have someone or some-two to work on math or discuss their book with, or even playing creatively on the playground. How unfulfilling it could be to always have to be in charge and come up with the ideas and rules (how many of you have kids who make up the rules?) No wonder my kids mostly like to hang out together.

Willa Gayle, I am in awe that you have had the fortitude to help your father as you have. I know how consuming and emotionally draining health problems and "the system" are, and you're amazing.

Ditto to all the other positives for me, and I'll add two more:

1) Being a fast typist, and have ready answers, so I can post so much here!
2) Having limited ability to lie to myself. Yes I've done some doosies, Gifted Denial included, but compared to normal people, I just don't seem to be able to lie to mysef. I've never seen intellectual honesty on a list of gifted characteristics, and I'm sure that it is a quality share by many more NT folks, but for me, intellectual honesty is one of my favorite things about myself, and it feels as though it is part of my giftedness. When the Emperor has no clothes, he just is naked in my book!

One funny thing is that to me we all sound so normal here, but except for Dottie and Lorel, when I talk to a "Mom of PGlet" on the phone, I notice that we both start talking about 1000 miles/minute. Revv, Revv - It's kind of fun, if you have to worry, to do so at such High Speed!
Trinity

cym - I'm glad my comments gave you a smile!!! I agree, doing something with someone else is so much more fun. Which is why I don't exercise like I should - I can't find anyone to go with me!!! But I digress...... :-) You're right about our kids finding things to do with others like them. It is hard for so many of them to find other kids with the same interests.

Trinity - I'm also a fast typist, but I am in love with spell check. Fast doesn't mean accurate in my case! And you are wonderful with having ready answers for everyone. I have a very limited ability to lie to myself too. In fact, I don't know that I can lie to myself at all (though I might want to sometimes). Hypocrisy is one of my biggest pet peeves as well as people being unable to see themselves in a remotely rational light.

I'm so glad to have found this board. I've only been here a short while but I have very much enjoyed the discussions!!

EandCmom,
We are so glad to have you too! ((big smile))

LOL about the lack of spell check here! Although I'm fast at typing, I grew up thinking I was stupid because spelling and I are not on speaking terms.

Funny thing about challenge. It's not enough to be bad at something. One has to win AFTER struggle. With spelling I had the struggle, but no sensation of "WIN."

smiles,
Trinity

My grad school roommate used to say that I was "pathologically honest," and I'd say that's a pretty accurate description of me. Hypocrisy and seeing others with a lack of self-knowledge just make me break out into hives!

Trinity - I had to have a spelling tutor when I was in grade school so I definitely know where you are coming from with the spelling thing. In fact a friend of mine at work the other day was telling someone how bad I was at spelling. LOL!!! I told her that is what spell check was invented for. :-)

Kriston, I'm with you on the hives. I'm pretty easy going with other people and their foibles (I've got enough of my own), but those things just really get to me. Blech!

Yes, I'm definitely not easy to live with. I would never throw stones in that particular glass house!

But I never understand people who tell lies or who don't know their own minds. Those two things are just foreign to me, and I think both have to do with honesty--either with other people or with oneself.

I may need more evidence to make a decision, and I can certainly change my mind when new evidence pops up, but I always know what I think/feel/believe in the moment. I simply can't imagine not knowing my own mind! How is that even possible?

RE: frustration with lack of honesty

There was a great moment in "The Simpsons" where Bart was asking Homer's advice about what to do if he doesn't know when to laugh during a movie because he can't see the screen because the kid in front of him was too tall (or something like that)

Homer told him to watch the other children very carefully and laugh when they laugh, and everything will be ok.

I found this funny, sad, and a great relief at the same time. Most kids do grow up feeling like that don't know as much as they should know, and that they couldn't possibly understand eveything, and that they are bad because of it...Most but not all kids.

See the connection? I feel this way every time I have to buy a big ticket item at a store. Garenteed that the salespeople will say anything they think you want to hear, no matter how outrageous. ((shrug)) It's just the accepted way it is.

Trinity