Tag Archives: Smokelbg

Where Is Your Sense Of Normal?

by Linda Ballard

Where did it go? What happened to your ability to separate RIGHT from WRONG? Where are your morals? So I guess you don’t visit the TRUTHS playground. Why would you ENDORSE a liar, a cheater, a deceiver, and a heart-breaker?

Whatever happened to TRUST? It all boils down to YOUR SENSE Of NORMAL. My journey to your side of the chart wasn’t easy. As my feet touch down on the pavement I recognize so many people have lost their SENSE OF NORMAL.

They have been in their IVORY TOWER too long. Whomever their circle of friends is, this is who and what they relate to.

The ENVIRONMENT, the PEOPLE you surround yourself with, and the PEOPLE you ENDORSE play a big part in YOUR SENSE OF NORMAL. The bottom line is knowing who you are as a person, to evaluate and separate the truth from a lie.

Most important of all is walking away with your self-esteem intact and not letting those who challenge your action/behaviors make you feel bad about yourself. Now you are on my turf, THE FLIP SIDE OF THE CHART.

The grass is definitely a different color and the turf is not the same nor the people. I came to you to discuss the UNINTENTIONAL BEHAVIORS of NLD SYNDROME and bring AWARENESS.

My deal was to help you understand how people who are diagnosed with NLD Syndrome are shamed, embarrassed, humiliated, and isolated because of their NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER. Do they have a CHOICE?

Are you beginning to understand why this diagnosis has been overlooked by the AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION(APA) for 41 years? The APA hasn’t done a good job. They have not been able to arrive at an intelligent decision regarding the DSMIV. They couldn’t “DIAGNOSE a DONUT.”

APA has a very strong correlation with SPEAKER JOHN BOEHNER, REPUBLICANS, and PRETENDERS/CONTENDERS. NONE of these people have been able to do an effective job. It ain’t personal. Need I say MO!

The burden of wearing just a few characteristics such as rude, cruel, unintelligent, awkward, angry, social blunders, and “an oddball” rests on the shoulders of those diagnosed with NLD SYNDROME.

People who are diagnosed with a NEUROLOGICAL DISORDER and UNINTENTIONAL BEHAVIORS have been misjudged, misinterpreted, and punished. In contrast, the REPUBLICANS have literally gotten away with murder and their INTENTIONAL behaviors have been rewarded many TIMES.

People with NLD SYNDROME are highly criticized for their poor choices and left without a voice. They are often presented with too many choices and have difficulty with organizational skills, and much more.

In comparison to NLD’ERS, The REPUBLICANS and PRETENDERS/CONTENDERS have similar difficulty with organization, decision-making, social blunders, and lack of communication skills.

So the PEOPLE of OUR NATION are expected to get on board and ENDORSE one of these KNUCKLEHEADS. NO! I don’t think so. Where is YOUR SENSE OF NORMAL? So the REPUBLICANS BEHAVIOR is STRAIGHT UP INTENTIONAL.

Did you forget this word ANOSOGNOSIA? ANOSOGNOSIA is one of the strongest CHARACTERISTICS OF NLD SYNDROME. I don’t mind having a review. We can work this out. No matter how many TIMES I have to go over this word I will.

In the PRESIDENT’S speech, he mentioned the word JOBS many TIMES. OH WELL! ANOSOGNOSIA generally means that due to the nature of NLD SYNDROME, people diagnosed with this disability do not have the ability to recognize the seriousness of their own problems.

They see their peers as they see themselves, not having a problem. When faced with pain, hurt, and sorrow these EMOTIONS need to be POINTED OUT to a person with NLD SYNDROME. They are unable to process another’s life experience.

They are unable to put themselves in your shoes or in your place. However, it is not a hopeless situation and NLDERS can learn compassion, empathy, and support if given the opportunity.

Emotions can be very difficult to teach unless you are willing to break yourself down to the lowest denominator. The mantra becomes: “YOU TEACH, and YOU TEACH, and YOU TEACH.”

For example, a stroke victim may need REhabilitation and occupational therapy to relearn life skills, NLD’ERS need habilitation to be taught life skills.

This is mandatory teaching before they are ridiculed, their self-esteem is taken out of the box, and they become isolated from society.

Annoyance and frustration ride on the backs of people who have come into contact with NLD’ERS for an extended period of time. Guess who is the first one that is cast aside and thrown into the lion’s den. Need I say MO!

The REPUBLICANS have used this characteristic of NLD SYNDROME, ANOSOGNOSIA, along with their RADICAL INTENTIONAL BEHAVIOR. They MAXED OUT their BEHAVIORAL credit cards and the 18 numbers to boot. The PRETENDERS/CONTENDERS used it in the DEBATES. Where was the AUDIENCES’ SENSE OF NORMAL?

What have you learned after COMPARING and CONTRASTING the REPUBLICANS RADICAL INTENTIONAL BEHAVIORS to NLD SYNDROME? Bottom line is CHOICE. PEOPLE with NLD SYNDROME do not choose to FAIL. The REPUBLICANS and the PRETENDERS/CONTENDERS pride themselves on making POOR CHOICES.

They want to see THE PEOPLE, THE PRESIDENT, and THE NATION FAIL. The REPUBLICANS are CHOMPING AT THE BITS. Where is the SENSE OF NORMAL in FAILURE when it cannot strengthen one’s ability to learn from the outcome? This is food for thought.

How did we regress and get onto PERSONHOOD RIGHTS? What is the REPUBLICANS SENSE OF NORMAL on WOMEN’S RIGHTS? What is the REPUBLICANS SENSE OF NORMAL on being HUMANE? Do the REPUBLICANS have any SENSE? The key to being HUMANE is giving WOMEN the RIGHTS to make their OWN CHOICES.

When someone comes in and tries to strip you of your dignity and humiliate you it is TIME TO BRING IT. The RICK-HEADS in CONGRESS wants to joke around and devalue the lives of WOMEN.

I want you Ladies to find the fanciest words regarding the VAGINA to see if The House of Delegates of Virginia can pronounce or even INTERPRET the meaning. It is a shame that CONGRESS has not only devalued the lives of WOMEN but has tried to cripple the entire Nation.

Throughout this rigorous journey in seeking INTERVENTION for my son, I ran across many doctors who only wanted to medicate my son. When I questioned their authority I was informed that they were the doctors and that they knew what they were doing.

WHAT THE HAH HELL did that mean? It gets even better. I was told by one doctor to go ahead and spank him, like “you folks” normally do, give him some orange juice with Robitussin, and that should solve the problem. Oh hell NO!

Is this the reason why we have so many children who later in life are strung out on drugs?

Is this the reason why we see our children/adults die because of lack of INTERVENTION, dedication, and advocacy from the parents? Is this the reason why so many of our most talented entertainers are taken out by drugs because they are enabled by family, friends, associates, and doctors?

Where is the DOCTOR’S SENSE OF NORMAL? Where is the PARENT’S SENSE OF NORMAL? Where is SOCIETY’S SENSE OF NORMAL? If any of these people listed above enabled a HUMAN LIFE down the PATH of DESTRUCTION they had NO SENSE OF NORMAL.

I was finally given options when I rolled across a TEAM of doctors who were willing to take the risk and learn by doing extensive research on my son. Through their hope and encouragement, the Neuro-psychologists at KU MED have given validation and recognition. They were caring and humane.

This TEAM of doctors had a strong SENSE OF NORMAL. Who we need to endorse will either make us a winner or a loser. It has taken me countless years to realize I didn’t need validation from the APA.

Yes, LORD! Medication would be weighed in as the very last resort. HALLELUJAH! It was all about coping skills, strategies, and teaching/focusing on life skills in order to have a successful program.

President Obama said it best. Whoever told you that it will take a silver bullet to drill your way out of lower gas prices is not telling the TRUTH. It will take TIME and a COMPREHENSIVE APPROACH. The same goes for the people who are diagnosed with NLD SYNDROME.

When the PRESIDENT and his wife was ready to buy a condo they openly admitted, even though they are attorneys, they could not understand the language in the mortgage agreement. WOW! He developed a simpler package to help homeowners get through the process.

Thank You, JE…SUS! We have a PRESIDENT who is HUMANE and RESPECT the CHOICES of WE THE PEOPLE, FOR THE PEOPLE, BY THE PEOPLE, and OUR NATION. This is a man with a GREAT SENSE OF NORMAL:).

I would like to give SPECIAL thanks to THE PRETENDERS/CONTENDERS for teaching me the ultimate lesson in WHERE IS YOUR SENSE OF NORMAL. Losers endorse losers, liars endorse liars, and infidelity endorses infidelity.

I want to go with truth endorses truth, trust endorses trust, and facts endorse facts.

HOLD UP! HOLD UP! I ain’t done yet. So I roll up to the school with all of my documentation. The BOARD of EDUCATION, SUPERINTENDENT, and the teachers are not willing to properly accommodate my son’s INDIVIDUALIZED EDUCATIONAL PROGRAM (IEP)

An IEP is a blueprint that lays out a program for disabled and learning disabled children. Who did I think I was telling these educators what to do? They were a AAA DISTRICT. They didn’t have to accommodate something they never heard of or the doctors had little knowledge in.

The atmosphere turned into DEEP SPACE NINE. Where was their SENSE Of NORMAL? I could bring milk and cookies to the in-service meetings but I would have NO CHOICE or say in my son’s education. I remember being told in one meeting they were the real educators. WHAT! My reply was this.

Where were you on the countless nights when I was reading to my child his bedtime stories? Where were you on the countless days of breastfeeding and I was trying to teach my son how to walk and talk? Where were you when I was teaching my son how to sink the cheerios in the toilet?

Where were you when he was given his immunization shots and I was up all night trying to soothe his aches and pains? “I think you need to rethink your position and realize who is the TRUE EDUCATOR and rephrase your question.”

The child diagnosed with NLD IS a masterful educator. My son has educated me with his extraordinary mind, his unique abilities, and multi-level learning styles.

This is going to be a long battle. Children with disabilities are a budget cut. The NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND under the BUSH ADMINISTRATION was a BUST. It will take TIME but the OBAMA ADMINISTRATION has made changes to the school systems. Hey, they are getting there.

Ladies you are going to love this one. You go to the doctor and everyone has the same scheduled appointment TIME. You’re sitting in the office waiting. There are people who have arrived way later than you but your name hasn’t been called. They walk straight through and get waited on.

Finally, it is your turn and the doctor comes in takes a seat and reminds you he’s on a tight schedule. Okay, I have sat there all day, the first one in, last one out, and treated with disrespect. The doctor pats his feet, checks his watch, no eye contact, and flips over the chart.

Then he says, ” I am here to conserve your breast.” What I have decided to do is…… Where was this doctor’s SENSE OF NORMAL? HOLD UP! HOLD UP! Unless doc you are ROCKIN THE LIST and you cannot give me eye contact, I understand.

His body language wasn’t too friendly. Cancer patients got tired of being beaten down and needed more hope. The CANCER TREATMENT CENTER Of AMERICA was established. People got tired of doctors talking smack. BIG TIME SENSE OF NORMAL

On this note, it is called a second opinion. I have decided to conserve my LIFE by my own CHOICE. I’m up for grabs again but I’m cool. You don’t get silly and fight over one breast. This is MY SENSE OF NORMAL.

There have been so many women who have died from unnecessary invasive procedures. Let us not forget even down to your last breath you have the right to be treated with DIGNITY and RESPECT and given CHOICES.

This story is dedicated TERRY O’NEIL, JIMMY WILLIAMS, CHARNIELE HERRING, KATRINA VANDEN HEUVEL, LIZ WINSTEAD, BOB SCHRUM, RICHARD WOLFF, MARTIN BASHIR, CAROLYN HELDMAN, JOAN WALSH, BIG EDDIE, and RACHEL MADDOW

BRING IT and SPEAK TO THE PEOPLE. NLD Mom/cancer survivor

The Dash Before The Distance

by Linda Ballard

It’s very cold today. My body is engulfed by high-speed winds. The wind is circling around my ears and gnawing at my fingertips. The weather is not favorable. There are many days in our life where conditions are not favorable. It has become a long and exhausting day.

Taking this trip was hard but it is TIME. Yes, another ICON’s ship has sailed into the night. Her glow from life’s candle shifted as the wind-swept around the flame. The flicker of the light struggled but another strong wind caught her breath.

This moment of darkness and silence has claimed yet another ICON. DESTINATION has caught up with her. She has now boarded a cruise liner to ease her from this life of hurt, pain, and sorrow. In our hearts, we pray her spirit will be guided by an eternal beacon.

Let her soul be at rest for a pleasurable journey.

In life, some of us will run a MARATHON. The MARATHON is so rigorous with so many obstacles and hurdles to jump over. There are those who will SPRINT through life. If you’re a SPRINTER it is TIME to reflect. Don’t be in such a hurry to run a short race through THE DISTANCE.

You will meet with an early DESTINATION. When you hear someone make the comment “GONE TO SOON,” you’re beginning to understand life’s race can be shortened. Why are we in a hurry? We feel everything needs to be taken care of immediately.

How many laps can we run once the START button is pushed? Will we need to reset the start button because we have jumped the gun? Some of us will not get the opportunity to reset the start button in our lives. Will your life be a SPRINT? Can you endure the MARATHON?

A chain of events will take place on our life journey. There are TIMES when we will peek over into someone else’s life. We assume they have everything to live for. We are plagued by SHADOWING the lives of others. Our hearts are overcome with resentment, bitterness, and jealousy.

Finally, we graduated from HATRED ACADEMY. All the happiness, wealth, and power we assume an ICON lived, lies right there before our own two feet. What did we do? We stepped right over the most priceless commodity, TIME. We continued our HATRED CAMPAIGN.

This type of campaign diminishes one’s health and one’s life. The SHADOWING which is done to the lives of others has set us on a course for destruction. We yearn and grasp for what we think have made ICONS and other people successful. It blinded us and we lost track of who we could become.

We lost ourselves and we lost RESPECT for TIME. Reality is beginning to sink in. As the media reflects back on the IMAGE of the LIFE of an ICON, we realize we could never make the sacrifices in life to maintain the ICON lifestyle.

Bottom line: Never want what others have because you may not be willing to take the beat up for it.

Her music is beginning to rotate through my brain. As I walk through the stone garden, I hear her strong vocals bellow out “I Have Nothing.” The wind has picked up, my legs are beginning to weaken. The sorrow and sadness are starting to creep up on me.

I heard another rendition of the songbird voice. The tune was “I Look To You.” Many people say they never saw it coming. Did we PAY ATTENTION? She delivered a strong message in her MUSIC and in her BEHAVIOR. She went back to her gospel roots preparing for the journey home.

She was there to sing her last song with Kelly Price, “Jesus Loves Me.” She stopped in on CLIVE DAVIS, her long TIME mentor. She visited with Ray J, Brandi, and Monica. Bobbi Kristina got a chance to briefly visit with her Godfather. Brandi will never forget this birthday.

Sitting here on this stone, right at my eye level, is the DASH. From the day we are born to the day we die and have met our ESTIMATED TIME of ARRIVAL(ETA), there is THE DASH BEFORE THE DISTANCE.

The DASH is all the life one is living and what goes on in between one’s life BEFORE they run THE DISTANCE. As the leaves crackle beneath my feet, I notice on the carving of the stones there are a lot of SPRINTERS here today. I came across this magnificent marble stone.

The birth date is here, and the DASH is here, but no DESTINATION date. I wonder if the person was a SPRINTER or A MARATHON RUNNER? Was this someone who had not been found and declared dead? Maybe the person was found and no one knew the DATE of his DESTINATION.

People in our lives demand so much from us. We cannot possibly meet all their requests. When it is TIME for us to meet the demands of our lives, so much Time has been devoured. The DASH BEFORE THE DISTANCE is much shorter.

Every day from this moment on our ESTIMATED TIME OF ARRIVAL(ETA) draws near. We are so much closer to our DESTINATION. ALPHA is the beginning and OMEGA is the end. The DASH BEFORE THE DISTANCE is the life we are now living. RESPECT TIME!

A door has not closed. The door is wide open. It will give others the opportunity to reflect on their lives and make changes and seek INTERVENTION.

In Loving Memory of Whitney Houston and the Celebration of her Life.

To the Houston/Brown Family, Clive Davis her long TIME mentor/dearest friend, and the many relatives/friends who mourn the loss of their loved one.

Visit the April archives. Read Rest Peaceful My Nubian Queen.

Visit the May archives. Read Reflection of Magical Moments on Twitter, I Have Learn, Etiology Of Quality, and Giving Recognition to the Unrecognized__Saving lives.

Visit the November archives and read Smokelbg Life Class__Dedicated To Oprah.

May you find peace in my words.

Characteristics Of

by Linda Ballard

BARACK OBAMA exhibits STRENGTH, COURAGE, and HUMANITY.

SARAH PALIN demonstrated UNINTELLIGENCE, SHATTERED INTEGRITY, and INSANITY.

NEWT GINGRICH campaigns as HOT HEADED and straight up MR. FEROCIOUS.

MITT ROMNEY campaigns as MR. INDECISIVE, MONEY BAGS of ARROGANCE, and BRAGGADOCIOUS.

HERMAN CAIN manifested as “PIMP DADDY INFIDELITY”.

In the 2012 Election, he has been written off as a LIABILITY.

RICK SANTORUM came across as FATHER SANCTIMONIOUS.

JOHN HUNTSMAN, SGT. DULL and DRAB, never surfaced as NOTORIOUS.

RON PAUL, MR. NOSTALGIA, platform lingers in the PAST.

MICHELE BACHMAN, MRS.DELUSIONAL, her conspiracy theories didn’t LAST.

RICK PERRY at the debates stated, “I CAN’T OOPS” get it RIGHT.

RICK PERRY, MR.PERPETUAL GAZE stood like a deer that glances into the HEADLIGHTS.

Now, who would you vote for in the 2012 ELECTION?

I would vote for the person with a STABLE MIND and PROGRESSIVE DIRECTIONS.

Investigate the candidates from up ABOVE.

Remember these are TRAITS and CHARACTERISTICS OF.

Prime Time Hatred

by Linda Ballard

If you were to take a survey on why some people watch TV, they would respond, to get their Hate On. In Broadcasting, PRIME-TIME was always the TIME after the kid’s school hours and everyone else was home from work.

Depending on your geographical location, these hours would run from 7pm-10pm or 8pm-11pm. Due to modern technology, you can now get your PRIME-TIME HATRED on at any TIME. It is called YOUTUBE, GOOGLE, WIKIPEDIA, and social media and it can be watched at a later date or looked up.

I’m not making these guys out to be the bad guys. We no longer have to wait for Nielsen Ratings. Now people have the option of not missing out on so much information because of their work hours. Bottom line, the world is progressing at light speed and we need to progress with it.

How will we ever become a competitive NATION in this GLOBAL ECONOMY if we refuse to adapt to changes?

Dr. James Peterson, before my son was ever diagnosed with NLD SYNDROME I was teaching my children where to position themselves when they would speak to people.

I taught them how important it was to monitor their voice tone, and always give eye contact to the person they were speaking to.

In the Black Community, this was the order of paying RESPECT to your elders. It was the Golden Rule you were to NEVER violate a person’s PERSONAL SPACE unless they were your friend, family, or a close associate. At NO TIME were you ever to POINT your FINGER at a person’s FACE.

This rule was emphasized to my children because in the Black Community it was a KNOWN factor if you put your FINGER in someone’s FACE you were going down and may NEVER come up for air again. The person who stuck their FINGER in your FACE was the INTIMIDATOR or BULLY.

A person or BULLY who takes this action against you is asking for trouble. It would take an act of GOD to walk away and you would always be remembered as the better man.

Whenever you were spoken to, you were to always give EYE CONTACT to let the person know you are PAYING ATTENTION. When a child/adult cannot give eye contact this is a HallMark characteristic of social interaction impairment.

These are traits and characteristics of Autism, Asperger, and NLD. Children/adults with social impairments fail to respond to their name and often avoid eye contact with other people.

They have difficulty interpreting what others are thinking or feeling because they cannot understand social cues (tone of voice and facial expression).

These children/adults don’t watch other people’s faces for cues on appropriate behaviors. Our elders were addressed as SIR or MA’AM. In answering our elder’s questions we were NEVER allowed to DISRESPECT them.

One of my kids had a very difficult TIME socially interacting with people. Here I was off and running gathering information and finding the best doctors to evaluate his behaviors. At the age of 4 yrs.,10 months the answers were given by some PROGRESSIVE DOCTORS at KU MED CENTER.

By this TIME I had become SOCIALLY ISOLATED from other parents. Parents didn’t want to go anywhere with me because I had a “SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD,” (whatever the HAH HELL that meant) he would LET IT RIP.

Even when I tried to reach out to different support groups, the parents could not identify with NLD SYNDROME because they never had heard of it. Many of the doctors had never heard of it either. The Nielsen Ratings were out and I got much rejection because I was Black.

You’d think I was the only person in the Black Community that a government agency would say, “He had to be blind, crippled or crazy to receive benefits.” Well, what the Ha Hell, he never received benefits.

Whenever he started pointing and displaying his UNINTENTIONAL BEHAVIORS, all hell would break loose. There was no room for embarrassment and I definitely wasn’t hiding my son in an attic. It was EDUCATION TIME. It has been a lifelong journey but my family has learned so much.

Some family members were divided and others were lost along the way. At the end of the day, there was enough love left to be shown to my son and other family members who stuck it out. There will be casualties, heartaches, but we will continue our commitment to a TEAM effort.

(And I am not SEAL TEAM SIX, but you do whatever it takes [DWIT])! I am not here to place the blame on anyone but I am here to take RESPONSIBILITY.

Arizona Governor Jan Brewer, the very BEHAVIOR you displayed in your moment of PRIME-TIME HATRED against The PRESIDENT of the UNITED STATES can cost the lives of many children/adults.

Those who cannot read this body language may feel it is an APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR regardless of a person’s position. Children/adults with social impairment have trouble distinguishing authority figures and cannot distinguish who is in charge.

It is for this reason that hidden residual rules need to be taught. We can never assume that they know.

They may view this photo and think that this type of behavior is ACCEPTABLE and can be done to the PRESIDENT, a POLICE OFFICER, or anyone. It should NEVER be done. You have broken a rule, a hidden residual rule, and it is TIME for you to take RESPONSIBILITY for your actions.

What will you tell your 2 children, or your grandchildren when they see this photo of you pointing your finger at the President’s face? You have a tendency to retract several of your statements and have been called out by FOX NEWS for lying.

Come on, FOX NEWS? Ah, now you know you lied to the President. Dang! If FOX NEWS called you out, come on now, you’ve got some BEHAVIORS!

Have you not experienced this with your own children? Once again you have been consistent with your BEHAVIOR for getting caught in another lie. This TIME with your visit you had with the PRESIDENT.

Jan Brewer stated it hurt you to be called HITLER’S DAUGHTER but your father never served in the military. He was a civilian and died in 1955 from lung cancer 11 yrs. after the war ended.

It hurt me as a mother to see you put your FINGER on the PRESIDENT’S FACE knowing that this BEHAVIOR can get my son hurt or killed. The biggest hurt was to learn that you lied to the PRESIDENT and have continued to be a HABITUAL LIAR.

We are supposed to learn from our hurt and pain and not destroy the lives of others. I have attended many candlelight vigils and graveside services of senseless deaths of young men and women for this same type of BEHAVIOR. WHEW! Girlfriend, you are being CALLED OUT.

Cynthia McKinney, a former Democrat from Georgia, was kicked out of the democratic party because of her involvement with a capitol hill police officer in 2006. She hit the officer in the chest with a closed fist.

Is this appropriate behavior coming from the daughter of a former police officer? I struggle with Cynthia McKinney’s behavior because I know this behavior would definitely get my son jailed by law enforcement or killed in his community!

So just don’t feel lonely Jan Brewer, because I am not targeting you. Cynthia McKinney has some PRIME-TIME HATRED going on too!

PRIME-TIME HATRED revolves around the hatred, racism, and despicable behaviors of our government officials who have disregarded the lives of their viewers, a captive audience. When you are in the public eye you have to take responsibility for whatever you say, do, or write.

You are held accountable for your WORDS, ACTIONS, AND COMMUNICATION (WAC). Our government doesn’t realize that they are affecting the lives of a global community. Jan Brewer stepped outside that bubble. WE THE PEOPLE and OUR NATION are holding you ACCOUNTABLE.

So Jan Brewer what should we do about your habitual lying and behavior? Maybe if you had been in another country we might assume you were hailing a cab? Here in America, Homey just don’t play that!

Dedicated: To the young men and women who paid the ultimate price due to the misinterpretation of body language and were caught up in a senseless death.

Edit From My Heart

by Linda Ballard

It’s hard to CHOOSE the words to say.

I’m ripping myself apart.

MANAGING my thoughts can be delayed.

I will EDIT from my heart.

When I speak, I’m often CORRECTED,

Being impulsive, appearing rude, and considered not smart.

UNINTENTIONAL BEHAVIORS can be DIRECTED.

I will EDIT from my heart.

CLEAN UP my social blunders.

Isolation fuels the sparks.

One does not SELECT to be asunder.

I will EDIT from my heart.

Throughout my life, I will be BLUE PENCILED.

MODIFY me like a work of art.

The hurt and pain removed from its stencil.

I will EDIT from my heart.

No, I’m not very POLISHED.

Take a chance and give me a fresh start.

Our friendship should not be abolished.

I will EDIT from my heart.

Being ORGANIZED is a laborious task.

It plays a monumental part.

I am truly glad it has been unmasked.

I will EDIT from my heart.

DEDICATION: To Jennifer G.

Adaptability is very strenuous and monumental for many people in every walk of life. Once we are able to accept a problem does exist and will continue to exist then we are ready for solutions to our problems.

The transition can be made if and only if we are willing to seek help for our problem. We are allowed more choices. We are better equipped to manage, organize, improve and preside over our new and improved life.

All this and more is hauled around in your LUGGAGE of LIFE. It is TIME to EDIT from YOUR Heart. It is early INTERVENTION to help diminish the PREVENTION of the pain and sorrow one may suffer. NLD Mom/cancer survivor

Smooth Operator

by Linda Ballard

I tried to catch up with you the other day. The pace was too much for me. It felt like a marathon. My legs are so much shorter. Just when I thought I had caught up with your stride, my body hit pay dirt. You left me hanging off the rail wishing I had a bottle of Primestine Mist. One thing about it, you were dressed to impress. The navy blue suit you wore was raising hell and the lavender tie set it off. The look on your face was serious. Your arms swung out evenly from side to side. It didn’t matter how many emergencies the city had, you looked as though you were ready to put them all out. Are you wearing your Gasoline Drawers?

Every person you encountered on the streets was given a strong handshake. Your smile came bursting through. Words of hope were given to all the people who felt beaten down by the economy. Then all of a sudden you sat down on the curb in your nice suit. Do you think Eric Cantor or Paul Ryan would have given an uplifting curb service speech to the people in their high dollar cha-ching suit? Don’t answer!

Wherever you were headed it didn’t seem important anymore. You were answering questions about concerns of jobs, infrastructure, voters suppression, and the Big 3(Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid). An old lady appeared from out of nowhere. Silence came over the crowd. You looked directly into her eyes and you reached out and held her hand. Then you said, “How can I help you?” She responded, “You have helped me.” You are learning to ask the questions. Inclusions make you a part of us.

Sitting here among the people you have included yourself. The Republicans tried to divide you from WE THE PEOPLE and OUR NATION. You have not let Pride override the welfare of the People. The Republicans tried to make the American people feel in taking out the dictators, it was only your victory. WE THE PEOPLE and OUR NATION understood it was a victory for all. You are starting to learn from your MISTAKES. Achievement comes with ACKNOWLEDGING your MISTAKES and taking RESPONSIBILITY for your MISTAKES. You have shown the American People deference.Through all the criticism you did not let your head drop below the water. The eternal flame burns deep inside of you. The Human Factor works in your favor. You have remained HUMANE.

The Presidents before you made mistakes. The PRETENDERS/CONTENDERS have taken it to a new level of mistakes. Herman Cain is the cousin of the other mother, Oscar OCD, who is always entertaining the NO NO THOUGHTS. Go back and refresh your memory. Oscar OCD was in EASTER UNDER THE UMBRELLA_FOR NLD. Oscar OCD always referred to his little cousin Herman, as Captain Nasty McNuts. Tyrone Tourettes, the cousin of Bobby Tourettes, thought it meant Herman liked McNuggets. AH NO! I don’t think so.

Strange that HERMAN grew up in the Restaurant Business. Since he made his POKEMAN SPEECH he probably needs to call PICACHO to the RESCUE. The next cartoon character he might want to be is a TRANSFORMER. Yes, Herman Cain is more than meets the eye. He is the original DECEPTICON along with the other PRETENDERS/CONTENDERS. Starscream, Herman Cain, cannot be trusted. He is always trying to find a way to overthrow Megatron, Rick Perry. Sounds like this is playing in the media right about now.

Megatron, Rick Perry, is at Lowes picking up paint for his METEORITES which is all wrong. Sentinel Prime, Mitt Romney, has switched sides and his numbers still didn’t move in the polls. This is the perfect world for Mitt Romney.

He has so many characters to TRANSFORM into. If I was Herman Cain I would stay with the TRANSFORMERS. He’s going to need a hideout within himself and a new theme song. No one will ever notice the White 1999 MONTE CARLO is Herman Cain in the junkyard. The sign will read We BUY, SELL, and OWN previous DECEPTICONS by the Koch Brothers. In Training Day, Denzel Washington drove the Black MONTE CARLO. Herman Cain is NO Denzel.

Now it is TIME to develop a trusted loyal Crew so you won’t look distant or be isolated from your base. Steve Israel, Head of the Democratic Congressional Committee can whip the Democrats into shape. Lean to the side of the strong Democrats who use the media. In Smokelbg Tweets she gives her thumbs up to Bernie Sanders, Debbie Wasserman Schultz.

We can’t leave out Barney Franks and Chuck Schumer, the Progressive/Liberal Democrats. You got the Ohio Players, not the singing group, the Democrats in Ohio. Sherrod Brown and Marcy Kaptur would be excellent team players.

The DEMOCRATS need to speak out and be compassionate about their leader. You have come a very long way. We can see your growth. Your message has gotten stronger. Son, I ain’t stopped BELIEVING in you. So you better not stop BELIEVING. BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. BELIEVE IN YOUR PURPOSE. BELIEVE IN YOUR VISION. BELIEVE you are a SMOOTH OPERATOR.

Another voice shouts out from the crowd. SMOOTH OPERATOR, the REPUBLICANS are totally thrown off course. Their hatred is letting people around our nation and other nations know they have RESPECT only for the BENJAMIN’S BABY. All this business about your job ratings in the polls is at 40% is a bunch of sardines. Just think if we had Muammar Gaddafi for 42 years. Instead, we have Charles and David Koch causing havoc. We need to occupy their headquarters.

Who cares about those numbers? What polls are they reporting from? It sounds like Fox News statistics. Their math is way off the charts. They never do their research. We all know Bill O’Reilly is never WRONG. I do like Greta Van Susteren, Sheppard Smith, Geraldo Rivera, and Chris Wallace. Geraldo Rivera barbecues BILL O’Reilly’s butt. Geraldo is the chef of Burnt Ends. Watch out, Bobby Flay!

Chris Wallace broke down and told John Stewart that Fox News is Conservative. John Stewart of the DAILY SHOW keeps his Gasoline Drawers on and uses his flamethrower to set Fox News on fire. Fox News thinks this is the story of ROOTS 999. They made a lot of people have a “What The Hah Hell” moment. I guess Herman Cain is their Black. “What the Hah Hell” do they mean by your black/my black. Let’s send a friendly reminder to FOX NEWS letting them know that Slave Days Are Over.

Do they really have a Candidate? A young lady’s voice in the crowd rang out. With everything the Republicans have done to you, I would have blown a gasket. SMOOTH OPERATOR smiles and replies, “I need YOUR support.” War within Wars is no good. I am here for the People. The losses have made me gain great knowledge and great strength. I have Learned and Transformed. The past is just that, the past. The Moment is Now. We will continue to Press On. I will not be discouraged by Congress, the Republicans, and the TEA PARTY. The REPUBLICANS reading this will say I did not answer the question. We have to stop BLAMING. We need to Start MAINTAINING our government.

There are TIMES when we take Action, the Words are fulfilled. There are TIMES when we take Words and we may Fail to carry out the Action. Remember the word has been “NO.” Remember the Action was not carried out. Remember to do the Math. Remember that only 4 Democrats voted against the AMERICAN JOB ACT. The young lady asked, Who were the 4 Democrats? An elder man steps up and starts calling out names. It was them old tired Conservative Blue Dog Democrats. Roll Call Sister!

It was Senator Ben Nelson of Nebraska, Senator Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, Senator John Tester of Montana, and Senator Mark Pryor of Arkansas. I tell you what Sister, I can Remember 4 names. Baby Girl, all 49 REPUBLICANS voted against the bill. Now it is gonna be hard Remembering all 49 Knucklehead REPUBLICANS. Just Remember the Herman Cain Theory, 4+5=9 and you take out the (+5=) and you got 49. Maybe he will get 49 years for the 4 women he sexually harassed.

Why did it take 4 women and not just 1 of these charges to be acknowledged and taken seriously? Is it possible that a SUPREME COURT JUSTICE may have slipped through the cracks? Is it okay to label the poor and middle-class behavior? Why are we not acknowledging the behaviors of the rich and high-profile government officials? Go back and review GOT NO TIME TO BE DISABLED in the March Archives. You will find an answer.

A young boy around the age of 6 breaks through the crowd. His presence breaks the tension. “Are you who I think you are?” Somebody said you are the President of the United States. I told them No Way! You are the man with the plan. The man who understands. The man with the whole world in the palm of his hands. You are a SMOOTH OPERATOR. He jumps into PRESIDENT BARACK OBAMA’s lap and gives him a big hug. He lifts the young boy into the air. “I will keep my Promise.”

ADVISORY ALERT: It is hard for people diagnosed with NLD Syndrome and other exceptionalities to come off as SMOOTH OPERATORS. Some may lack the social communication skills, inability to read social cues, and interpreting body language. Others may have trouble with personal hygiene, and cocktail party speech. They have difficulty interpreting facial expression. It is hard for them to initiate a conversation or end a conversation. Their social judgment is poor. NLDers are not sure where his or her space is and cannot judge the distance(space invaders). This is due to visual-spatial organization. They are labeled by others as annoying, ill-mannered, rude, discourteous, and smart “aleck.”

People diagnosed with NLD Syndrome cannot detect hidden meanings of language and social interactions aren’t detected There will be many outbursts, social blunders, misinterpretations, and misjudgments. NLDers end up being the victims and are victimized because they are naively trusting. They DO NOT understand a person that is deceitful, cunning, or who manipulates others. They have faulty spatial perception only getting half of the picture.

Their behaviors are misinterpreted by our society as being INTENTIONAL. Their neurological and neuro-behavior right hemisphere disorder is UNINTENTIONAL. Sexual Harassment is a term that is very vaguely defined. It happens a lot in the workplace. It entails social situations, the making of unwanted sexual advances, and obscene remarks. How would it be possible to charge a person with NLD SYNDROME with sexual harassment if they have these characteristics and traits? People with NLD SYNDROME will not have a clue to what sexual harassment or any other type of harassment is due to the nature of their neurological disorder and their UNINTENTIONAL BEHAVIORS.

My advice to all parents is finding a neuro-psychologist or psychiatrist that has had years of knowledge, training, and experience in the field of Nonverbal Learning Disability. It is very essential that you have your child tested early. This diagnosis has been overlooked for 41 years and has not been placed on the DSM4. This is a great disservice to millions of people who are looking for answers for their children/adults. When AUTISM, ASPERGER, ADD, ADHD, PDD-NOS, OCD, TOURETTES SYNDROME, ANXIETY DISORDER, TIC DISORDER, just doesn’t add up, PLEASE turn YOUR ATTENTION to NLD SYNDROME

How many TIMES have people with NLD SYNDROME diagnosed/undiagnosed been falsely accused, misjudged, socially isolated, and punished repeatedly because society has failed to be educated about this neurological disorder?
How many people are locked away in institutions, given a counterproductive treatment plan, or heavily medicated because they have gone undiagnosed, the diagnosis is ignored/is hidden or the diagnoses were not understood?

How many people with this diagnosis have been falsely accused of a crime they didn’t commit or understand it was a crime due to the nature of their disability and their UNINTENTIONAL BEHAVIORS? How many people with this diagnosis have been incarcerated? How many lives have been lost and our society will continue to lose due to the secondary diagnosis of anxiety, stress, depression, and panic attack? Think about it. I hope this will help millions of people.

How can our society continue to violate the HUMAN and CIVIL RIGHTS of people with this diagnosis? This is in the DEFENSE for NLD SYNDROME. NLD Mom/cancer survivor

Refreshers Course In NLD

by Linda Ballard

There are many viewers who are coming to this blog for the first TIME. Here we are 10 months later and unless you started from the January Archives you probably don’t have a clue about NLD Syndrome. I could tell you to go back and read the stories in the January Archives. It’s really Time for a refresher course on NLD. NLD (Nonverbal Learning Disability) is a developmental disability that affects the right-hemisphere of the brain. NLDers process information differently because they miss a lot of information. This contributes to misinterpretation of the world around them. Without the whole piece of the puzzle, it causes them to act out inappropriately or unexpectedly.

If you can’t understand the tone of a person’s voice, give eye contact, or read the person’s body language there are going to be several misunderstandings. This is a neuro-behavioral disorder and the person with NLD has UNINTENTIONAL behaviors. They are NOT EMOTIONALLY DISTURBED.

This neurological disorder goes UNRECOGNIZED and unattended by professionals, teachers, parents, and society. Individuals who are diagnosed with NLD Syndrome demonstrate a mature vocabulary/very language proficient, rote memory skills (mechanical, habitual, repetition), and an excellent reading ability. People with this disorder can have difficulty interacting with others, transitioning to new settings, adapting to changes, working with new people, and trouble with writing/fine motor coordination. Although reading skills are exemplary, abstract concepts need to be explained in detail. Individuals with NLD Syndrome have difficulty understanding metaphors (a figure of speech), emotional nuances (may not be able to understand the expression on a persons face, the sound of their voice, or body language), multiple levels of meanings, relationship issues. My advice to you if you are talking with a person with NLD Syndrome, give a simple description, explicit explanations, and be very patient.

The three areas that encompass or surround NLD Syndrome is Motoric, Visual-Spatial/visual perceptual, and Social. Let’s start with Motoric. This deals with dexterity: the task of manipulating small objects, writing, typing, buttoning buttons. Riding a bike is grueling. Tying shoes may take years. It is hard for them to catch their balance, secure their equilibrium or bounce back with their balance. NLDers really work hard to master athletic skills. Sitting and eating on the floor is preferable.

I hope you’ve got other silverware because NLDers may resist eating with a fork or spoon. They are not interrogating you. NLDers full-fledged learning mode is when they are asking questions. They have problems on the left side of their body. Psycho-motor skills involve the thinking through the process of physical movements such as coordination, speed, manipulation of the object, agility, dexterity, strength, and grace. Bottom line, if you are still holding the ball, you are thinking about it for an extended period of TIME, or trying to figure out “What The Hah Hell” to do with the ball, you have poor psychomotor coordination.

You are not going to be on DANCING WITH THE STARS. You are no MARIO ANDRETTI, and there will be NO KAREEM ABDUL JABAAR SKYHOOK. The key is it comes easy or more automatic and you have not spent so much time processing out every little detail. Are you still sitting in the parking lot? Are you trying to figure out why you keep getting so many driving violations? Driving is major coordination. NLDers can succeed in these tasks but it may take a very long TIME and please be PATIENT.

In the area of visual-perception/visual-spatial, people with NLD have difficulty understanding and reading maps, charts, graphs, left, right, drawing complex figures, and understanding higher math such as geometry. Thank God for GPS, color by number, etch of a   sketch, and all the wonderful apps that are put on the magnificent IPAD for learning. STEVE JOBS and his wonderful team revolutionized the world. NLDers talk their way through a situation. They are auditory-verbal learners and they need to hear what is being processed. A blue-tooth solves this problem of everyone staring when NLDers are processing out loud. From bumping into people, struggling with concept formation, and not getting the whole picture, they have the market cornered.

Social miscueing causes problems interpreting body language, and facial expression. People with NLD have problems in this area. Sometimes they stand too close (space invaders), or too far away when engaging in a conversation. It is hard for them to understand how to start a conversation or for them to end the conversation. If you can get them to deal with the situation in a practical, sensible, and realistic manner versus philosophical or theoretical manner you are batting a thousand (pragmatic skills). They have outbursts, are labeled annoying, or want to get all the attention. NLDers just won’t let go, they hold on, have many social blunders, are abrupt/have knife cutting responses, and they have difficulty thinking creatively or abstractly. They have problems with identifying faces or reading the person’s face, interpreting gestures/deciphering body posture, An NLDer doesn’t change their speech, have a monotone voice, and constantly misjudge or misinterpret what is being put before them or said to them.

NLDers have attentional deficits causing difficulty in coping with over-stimulating or distracting environments and requiring them to have limited distractions and assistance in focusing themselves. They have difficulty in performing multiple tasks simultaneously causing them to need to do one thing at a TIME and LIMIT the amount of information they can take in at the same TIME(They CANNOT follow multiple commands given at once). Organizational skills are a huge problem area with NLDers. They have a very hard TIME organizing material on their own. Assistance is needed in the area of writing outlines, sequencing/order, planning, prioritizing, transitioning from one idea or aspect of a project/problem to another. Does this remind you of anyone? Feel free to go back and review the January Archives.

DEDICATED: Everyone across America, take a closer look at this diagnosis. I wonder why the AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION(APA), with 38,000 psychiatrists under their UMBRELLA failed to put NLD SYNDROME on the map after 41 years?

Why did the APA see fit to enlist diagnoses, such as sex addiction or internet addiction or other impertinent diagnoses that let people ESCAPE from being held ACCOUNTABLE for their INTENTIONAL BEHAVIORS?

Dr. PHIL, DR. DREW, DR. OZ, DEEPAK CHOPRA and many other specialists in the field of medicine and psychiatry would probably agree with me. Too many people are severely hurt and have died from not being properly diagnosed or overlooked altogether.

Should the APA be held accountable for leaving Nonverbal Learning Disability(NLD), a neurological disorder with UNINTENTIONAL BEHAVIORS off of their diagnostic manual? They are well aware that people who are diagnosed with this disorder can suffer from severe depression. Why did the APA stop testing? Why has there not been more information distributed on NLD Syndrome? Has the AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION been corrupted by money and politics to protect their funding?

Is the AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION trying to close the GAP on INTENTIONAL versus UNINTENTIONAL BEHAVIORS? Or would it be our GOVERNMENT? Our government has been very dysfunctional. Take a look at the contenders for PRESIDENCY. Look even closer at the GOP, REPUBLICANS, TEA PARTY, BLUE DOG DEMOCRATS and some members of the CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCAS. We can tell from watching the debates the front-runners have serious problems. The weakest links will once again be controlled by the 1%. Who’s brain will be used if one of the contenders is chosen for President? Our JUSTICE SYSTEM has been very UNJUST. Our Supreme Court System is totally out of BOUNDS and off the Court. Our Constitution needs to be revamped.

Think about it AMERICA! Something is seriously wrong. Who should be held ACCOUNTABLE? Who is covering up?

A Bite Of The Apple__A Tribute to Steve Jobs

by Linda Ballard

Scene: This conversation takes place at Steve Jobs’ underground compound in the middle of who in the hell knows where. We are talking about Steve Jobs, Okay. Smokelbg has decided to pay Steve a visit and have a heart to heart chat.

Smokelbg:

Hey, where you at? Steve, Steve is you here? Hey man, you better show up real fast. Some of your neighbors are looking at me really crazy. I can’t believe this. Steve wears this outfit all the time. I wonder why I’m having so much trouble wearing these blue jeans and black tee-shirt? I don’t have no ski mask on. What is this, the neighborhood watch? Okay, I see how this works. Don’t make me show your neighbors who’re the real Mac Genius. Why you laughing Steve?

Steve:

Smokelbg, you are hilarious. I’m so glad you could drop by. It’s good seeing you. It has been a long TIME.

Smokelbg:

More like Delirious and you don’t hear me singing Prince’s song. Come on now, I didn’t just drop by. I had to catch 2 planes, sail across the Mojave Desert, take a boat through Vienna, sing Oleta Adam’s Song-Get Here If You Can, and stung gun your neighbor’s dog. Where did Cujo come from? Was he trained to take a bite out of crime? Hey, Prince designed his butt-out pants. I did not need any help from Cujo. Okay!

Steve:

What?! Is Fefe okay? He is harmless. He just wanted to play. I can’t believe you used a taser gun on Tim’s dog.

Smokelbg:

Did you say Tim’s dog? Please tell me I didn’t taser Timothy D. Cook’s dog. Damn it!

Fefe is the canine dog from hell. You should be asking is Smokelbg okay. Do I look like IAMS or Purina One Dog Chow to you? Where is this place anyway? Anytime Air Force One drops you off in the middle of the desert, you got to be hiding some secrets. I get along with dogs on a regular day but Fefe and I aren’t making any love connections. Can I use your bathroom? Ahhh! Steve, there is a robot up here in your bathroom trying to tell me how many square feet are in toilet paper. Steve get up here I push a button and I’m not sure if I Googled my butt across the nation. I just need some peroxide for my butt and I need to flush the toilet. Steveeee!

Steve:

Are you finding everything you need Smokelbg? There are some special treats behind the mirror glass shaped like an APPLE. This would make any woman’s head spin.

Smokelbg:

I don’t want my head to spin. I need some toilet tissue to keep me from having issues with Roberta the Robot who will not let me wipe my Ahh….! Steve get up here NOW!

Steve:

Oh, Dear, I meant to tell you if you put your hands in a certain position the robot will defend herself and put you in a headlock. Smokelbg, Tim designed the robot. It was a birthday gift for my daughter.

Smokelbg:

I should have known. Who is going to believe that my torn A… graduated with a whiplashed neck. Only at Steve’s Jobs compound. Do you have a pair of pants I can borrow and a soft pillow I can sit on?

Steve:

The pants may not fit. I mean they may be too long.

Smokelbg:

Just cut them in half… I need something to cover my butt.

Steve:

Hold tight, I got something that will make you feel really comfortable. There you go. I know how you like soft fabrics and this robe is just perfect. Smokelbg, I’m not cutting my pants.

Smokelbg:

Fair enough but I could have done without the APPLES on the robe. This robe feels like a giant cotton ball. Steve, it is TIME for us to take A BITE OF THE APPLE. Would you like to go first?

Steve:

Since you’ve come so far I want you to tell me what is on your mind.

Smokelbg:

I remember when I first told you about my son’s extraordinary mind, unique abilities, and multi-intelligence learning style. You looked directly in my face and said, Thank God he isn’t disabled. At least his head is still attached to his neck. I never liked labels that hinder people from achievement. At that point, I wanted to cry. You sat there and you listened to me go on and on about Nonverbal Learning Disability. You asked me to take a trip out to one of the APPLE STORES. I did and it was an amazing adventure. When I stepped out of the car and entered the store it begins to pull me and my son right into all the applications that could be purchased along with all the different products. My son and I were both dressed in our black tee shirts and blue jeans. We had struggled with the schools for years and it was TIME to move on and find the latest technology of teaching tools for home. Every person in the store regardless of race, age, and the geographical location was fascinated with the products. They were all interested in learning. We felt at home. Every school across the nation should feel this way for all children to hold their interest in learning. This store’s atmosphere was non-threatening, created a conducive environment and every customer in the store was paying attention. Steve, from the TIME I walked into the APPLE STORE there were people conversing, exchanging email addresses, and their cell phone numbers. My son began to really shine and start asking for numbers too. He didn’t get this opportunity at school. I thought he would become overwhelmed because the store was so crowded. He jumped right on it. He was so excited and he began to open up for the first time.

My son didn’t have to feel the hurt and pain of having manifestation hearings, getting suspended, or ever having to worry about another due process hearing. Most parents feel children who are labeled “disabled” will become budget cuts in the educational system. Why would you want to fix a child that was already broken? Why should a school system RECOGNIZE or make accommodations for a diagnosis that has not been validated by the AMERICAN PSYCHIATRIC ASSOCIATION? This store gave us a new way of looking at educating your child. It gave us hope outside of the educational system regardless what the educational system would or wouldn’t offer.

Why should a child go to school for twelve years of his life and find it hard to develop friends? It shouldn’t come down to TEST SCORES or the educational system FUNDING. Teachers shouldn’t be pressured to the point they LIE and CHEAT to bring children TEST SCORES up for ACCREDITATION. It should be about the child’s education because they are the ones who suffer the most. I kept trying to convince myself that I was in a store. This was more than just a store. Once again through your vision and innovation, something magical was going on inside the APPLE STORE that made people not want to leave and learn more. It felt safe, people’s’ questions were being answered, there was so much support, and the employees cared.

I was so glad when you met with PRESIDENT OBAMA, ERIC SMITH one of the founders of GOOGLE and MARK ZUCKERBERG, founder and CEO of FACEBOOK. All I could think of was, “If anyone could get the educational system on track it would be you guys.” Alternative methods of teaching children are on the rise. Steve, parents need to understand if they can’t find support in their own schools and districts then they need to find another way. APPLE STORE has created a learning environment. The educational system needed to take notes BIG TIME.

I found one of your sayings you had written on June 12, 2005, and it is your TIME to take a BITE OF THE APPLE. Do you remember Steve?

Steve:

I may not remember offhand but I can pull it up on my computer. Let me see. Hear it is.

Smokelbg:

Okay, you read it.

Steve:

You want me to read it.

Smokelbg:

Yes Steve, if you want to sing it you can. Just do it. This is your BITE OF THE APPLE.

Steve:

Here it goes. I look in the mirror and ask myself: “If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?” And whenever the answer has been “NO” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.

Because of almost everything all external expectations, all pride, all fear of embarrassment or failure – these things fell away in the face of death leaving only what is truly important. Remembering that you are going to die is the best way to avoid the trap of thinking you have something to lose. You are already naked. There is no reason not to follow your heart.

Smokelbg:

This is how I responded to your message on FaceBook. Hi, this Smokelbg. I have always been puzzled by those who are GONE but not FORGOTTEN. These are the ones that never die and live in our hearts forever. The impact they make in our lives leaves such a great impression. You see them so clearly. You remember the smell of their cologne, the sound of their laughter, and their wonderful words of wisdom. We walk around every day of our lives and we can’t remember the person’s name, what they wore that day, or where they work. Who is alive and who has passed on? There are many who are no longer with us. There are those who are expected to EXIT who will always have a PERMANENT ENTRANCE.

Steve, you have inspired me to be a follower of my heart. When Tim’s dog tore into my APPLE BOTTOM JEANS I looked back and saw that I too was butt-naked. It would be a shame if I survived cancer and not Tim’s dog. I just want the world to understand NLD Syndrome and hopefully, parents will understand there is another diagnosis out there they may need to check out. Everybody is not ASPERGER, AUTISM, or PDD-NOS. Good Grief! I want those parents out there asking questions, getting an early start on getting their child diagnosed, and not to be afraid. I don’t want to read any more ho-hum stories about NLD SYNDROME. I’m tired of the gloomy picture that is painted of people who have been diagnosed with NLD SYNDROME. These children/adults have to live with NLD SYNDROME and should not have to suffer the consequences of it. I want those doctors up, running, and developing strategies and coping skills and doing consistent testing for NLDERS. Sure DEATH is IMMINENT but to arrive at one’s destination at a much early TIME without any knowledge of knowing what you are up against is one hell of a trap.The KNOWLEDGE of KNOWING will help with INTERVENTIONS even if there is NO CURE it will give you HOPE.

DEDICATED: To STEVES JOBS of APPLE, who has given the EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM HOPE and has given the WORLD EVERYTHING OF HIMSELF. NLD Mom/cancer survivor

Let Fathers Be Fathers

by Linda Ballard

This experience is frightening for me. Our son has to go through a diagnostic evaluation to see if he has a learning disability. He was fine until he reached middle school then his grades begin to drop. The more things he had to do on his own he just didn’t seem to be able to get organized for his school work. I thought it was because his grandmother passed away. Quincy and his grandmother were so close. She practically raised him from a baby. His mother, Catherine, worked two jobs and her mother offered to help us out. JoAnn, Catherine’s mother, was a diabetic. I always felt my wife should quit one of her jobs so we could spend more time with Quincy. I didn’t mind making the sacrifice to work the extra hours. I wanted at least one parent to be with Quincy so he wouldn’t feel he was so alone. She was forced to quit one of the jobs after her mother died. I don’t know if she resented coming home.

I worked for the railroad. It was a fairly decent pay when I put in the extra long hours. Milton, a long time co-worker, and my best friend had a son diagnosed with autism. He shared many stories about his son. Milton’s stories frightened me because they always seemed to be so closely connected to my life. It appeared that Milton and his ex-wife had problems regarding their son being autistic. Later I learn Milton’s ex-wife had trouble with any women coming around her son or dating Milton.

Milton had gained full custody of his son. He was very proactive in his son’s life. Milton had started an autism support group. He had invited me several times. It always made me feel as if Milton was so many steps ahead of me. He continued to ask me to come and participate in the Autism group. Some parts of me wanted to attend but the other half of me was afraid. For some reason, I could see part of my life being like Milton. It felt like the movie Face Off.

Catherine and I had trouble in our marriage. She blamed herself for not being there when her mother passed away. We had problems before her mother ever came to stay. Her mother’s presence helped relieve a great amount of stress in our household.

JoAnn was so patient and kind with Quincy. She was Quincy’s rock. Catherine and I were so tired after working so many hours. It left us no room to deal with Quincy’s problems. It didn’t allow him the ability to process when he became angry and frustrated. JoAnn would always tell Catherine, Let Fathers be Fathers and Deal With It. Let the boy’s father deal with his behavior. Catherine was quick-tempered and lacked patience. It would make Quincy’s behavior become very explosive.

More and more Quincy’s behavior started changing and he begins to sleep a lot. I became greatly concerned because I thought Quincy was slipping into a state of depression. Catherine said Quincy just wanted attention and he was just lazy and she didn’t have the time to be bothered with his foolishness. Where did that response come from? When I ask her about her statement, she glared at me with her lip twisted and stormed out of the room. I guess that was my answer. We had begun to argue more frequently.

I was all for the evaluation but Catherine would get upset every time I would try to talk about it. We were getting closer to our evaluation date. Catherine had almost totally shut down. The moments of silence were killing me and I just couldn’t take it anymore. Every time I would try to discuss how we could help Quincy she would bring up her father and how he would deal with the situation. Catherine was very close to her father. At the age of 17, her father died on his way to work of a stroke. She always compared me to her dad. At first, I didn’t mind. I kind of thought it was an honor until I talked to JoAnn. Before Catherine’s mother died we had this conversation about JoAnn’s husband. He wasn’t the man my wife made him out to be.

In the heat of the moment, I tried to get Catherine to talk. When she mentioned her dad my head spun around like I was the star in the Exorcist. The next thing I knew I had revealed what Catherine’s mother had told me about her dad. At that moment I realized from the look on my wife’s face she never knew. My heart-felt as if it was going to come through my chest. I would never say or do anything to hurt Catherine. It was all over. Catherine ran into the bedroom and started grabbing her clothes out of the closet. I was trying to prevent her from leaving and I don’t remember what happened after that. I have tried to relive that moment in the bedroom a thousand times. The only thing I do remember is I was trying to guard my face. When I looked down, my shirt was bloody. From the mirror in the bedroom, I could see scratches all over my body. I called Milton to see if he could pick Quincy up from school. He never asked for an explanation.

Everything was going through my mind. Did she call the police? When were the police going to arrive? Whatever happened in that bedroom, Catherine never came back. The police never showed up. Who said that men don’t cry. I cried for days and days. I love my wife but we always seem to communicate with other people. That did not help our marriage at all. Months had passed and finally, I got a call from one of Catherine’s longtime friends from New York. Beverly told me Catherine was granting me full custody of Quincy. Before I could ask about Catherine, I was listening to the dial-tone. Just when I thought I had pulled myself together the crying came back. Here was my son asking all these questions and I had no answers. Quincy and I had to move on.

Quincy did get evaluated and he was diagnosed with NLD Syndrome. I have full custody of Quincy now. He often asks me if he was the cause of his mother leaving. He wonders will she ever come back. I wonder the same. Catherine and I never really communicated what was on our minds and in our hearts. We were both too young to have children. I am seeking professional help. There is so much I need to work through. I don’t want to be an angry parent. This isn’t just about my life. I need to be sure I don’t damage Quincy’s life. He has a lot to deal with. I will be right there for him. I have a lot to learn about NLD Syndrome. Milton is helping me to set up a support group and build a website. Yes, I am afraid that I will keep my promise to Quincy’s grandmother. Let Fathers be Fathers and continue to advocate for their children’s needs. Let Fathers be Fathers and understand the social and emotional part of their children’s life. Let Fathers Be Fathers and show the love, support, and embrace their child’s weakness just as they would rally around their strengths. JoAnn is probably looking down on me and Quincy today. As JoAnn would say, Let Fathers be Fathers and Deal With It.

DEDICATION: This story is dedicated to a young man who had to deal with it. He has done an exceptional job and is very supportive of his family and children. He would make any mother proud of how he is handling his life and the lives of family and friends he has touched. This one is for you, Willie Watson.

Reflection Of Words, Magical Moments On Twitter

by Linda Ballard

Whenever I am tweeting on Twitter my thoughts and my heart is always with the ones who have difficulty communicating their thoughts and putting them on paper.  For those of us that can put our thoughts to the grindstone, it may take one word or just a phrase to speak volumes.

I would like to reflect back on some words and phrases which are magical moments on Twitter. There are times when the fewer words spoken reveals more. The more words spoken reveals less. There comes a moment of silence that can reveal all.

1.)  To all the achievers around the world with extraordinary minds, unique abilities, and multi-level learning styles… keep achieving.

2.) To all the achievers around the world appreciate your mind and respect the achievement.

3.) Live in the moment, for the moment, never in the past of that moment, the moment is Now.

4.) The greatest achievement is to realize what you achieved can be stripped away.

5.) No one should compromise who they are to become what you want them to be. We need to adapt and change our way of thinking. It is called acceptance.

6.) I do not wish to cut the tree down. I just want to make a dent. It is my TIME to give back.

7.)When you break yourself down to the lowest denominator, you are not weak, you are better understood.

8.) Bask in the sun. Feel the rain on your face. Dig your feet into the sand. Breathe on the mirror. Respect TIME.

9.) When you reach out and help others the time passes. Before you know it, your time is lengthened.

10.) Remember to check your airflow, breath on the mirror, it is your breath, it is your life.

11.) I am not a Mac Genius. I am not Microsoft Genius. I am a Mom Genius and my son taught me. He holds the honorary degree.

12.) We need to rethink the way we think and accommodate those that process differently.

13.) When I use the word I, it is for taking responsibility. It is not the selfish I, or the I nucleus factor. I will give you credit.

14.) Do you know your cancers? Anyone or anything that eats at you are cancers.

15.) We all can be heard. The skill is listening. The ultimate skill is understanding what we hear and what is being said.

16.) Survival-acceptance of the problem, educate yourself, respect and fear the problem, get help, and be self-determined to survive the problem.

17.) Your coat fits likes an armor. Your armor, in given time, will wear like a vest, Reflection of these times will be your windbreaker.

18.) Education is wonderful when you educate. Understanding and adaptability to how one is educated are greater.

19.) Inclusion in the workforce builds character, self-esteem, and validation. The isolation/deprivation causes lack of hope.

20.) Speaking from my heart zone today, when 365 days becomes less in one’s life, you will begin to value so much more.

21.) Everyone has a voice and a choice, a place, and space, and a reason throughout the season.

22.) I live my life for the 5Ps. Purpose-reason, Passion-true intense emotion, Placement-in position to accommodate others, Productivity-output, Power-effectiveness for an extension of 365 days of my life and to help others.

23.) Know your cancers in order to eradicate the problem, survive, and have a quality of life.

24.) Relinquish being a V.I.P.(Vanity, Image, Pride). You will never survive any adversity with these elements.

25.) When you live to the fullest, love until your heart is content, and don’t give all your love away, you are PAID IN FULL.

26.) If you don’t love yourself in the process, give too much of yourself away, you will lose life’s battle and become EXPIRED.

27.) I never understood the saying, is the glass half empty or is the glass half full. I thought the glass was a tool to work with and what I put in the glass would account for my achievements.

28.) Empowerment is knowing your cancers and realizing they are not just under the microscope.

29.) Never hold anyone accountable for that which you fail to teach. Never assume they know. If you make the assumption you failed them. Go back and teach.

30.) Handle your business or your business will handle you. This is accountability.

31.) I have learned to survive my adversities, not people in order to have the quality of life.

32.) True respect for life and quality of life is the losses we have in life.

33.) Love to Learn, Learn to Love, Love, Learn, and Live to Survive.

34.) Make the decision and be held accountable for the decision. Don’t blame for the decision. It was your decision, learn.

35.) See with your mind and envision. Feel with your heart and show true emotion. Speak the words and become expressive.

36.) Can you handle the candle?  Can you handle the burns?

37.) I have held the hands of many who have exited this life. Through all the tears, hurt, pain, and sorrow,  TIME was the key.

38.) Sit close to someone and read a book together. Sit in your favorite chair by the window and see for the first time.

39.) Take the time today and really laugh out loud. Give them a big hug, tell them you care, and really mean it.

40.) Remember when it comes to trials and tribulations, we can no longer be on trial, the verdict is in, and we can turn our tribulations into a tributes.

41.)  My misfortune is your fortune if you only look and learn.

This is dedicated to those with NLD Syndrome and others with extraordinary minds, unique abilities, and multi-level learning styles.

It is hard for children/adults diagnosed with NLD (Nonverbal Learning Disability) and others to achieve at light speed. Change, adaptability, and struggling with the element of time on a task can lower their achievement along with many other deficits NLD Syndrome possess.

Giving them more choices and accommodations boosts their achievements thus lifting their self-esteem in an inclusive protective environment. Understanding how they learn and also understanding that it takes patience. So teach, teach, and teach. Let them teach you.  Oral communication is necessary.

A very productive strategy for those who are diagnosed with NLD is teaching life skills, social skills, and body language communication.

Define the issue. Ask them what is it they need to do. State the options orally. Don’t overwhelm them with choices. Limit the choices (3-5). Get some feedback and ask them what would be the best choice. Let them make the choice. Time to take Action. Now it is time for Richard Branson saying, SCREW IT, LET’S DO IT.

He/she reviews their actions. You ask them if it was an effective plan or they ask themselves if the plan worked or not. Always point out what is relevant and what is irrelevant. Hey, if they screw it up don’t beat them down for their mistakes.

Punishment is not the answer. You will unmask an unwanted behavior and the behavior will manifest itself if you do not address it properly.

Addressing the behavior properly is understanding their feelings showing compassion, empathy, and being supportive. Spell it Out (concretely, explicitly).

Many words and actions in the above statements (1-41) cannot be expressed by those who are diagnosed with neurological disorders, with unintentional behaviors and  have developmental delays.