Oscar likes being funny.
It’s just Oscar’s idea of funny isn’t what others – mainly adults in authority – consider funny.
Most comedians are very sad people and that can be because of their neural wiring. Oscar sees the world in a fantastically creative way but can’t express it easily coping with dyslexia and dyspraxia.
He also struggles to read his audience so doesn’t know when to quit.
Despite a few challenges, Oscar knew he always had me in his corner – until very suddenly I got sick. Frightened, Oscar withdrew from me and started acting up at home and school. I couldn’t connect, even when the staples came out of my head and my hair grew back, so I reached out to Pride Lands who had known him since he was small.
Moses didn’t hesitate. He understood Oscar’s uniqueness was a challenge for some environments because he understood how schools and families work. He also understood bad jokes and frenetic drive for fun was what made Oscar who he is.
The two of them worked on strategies still allowing Oscar to be his own unique self but developing an understanding for where other people are coming from. It’s ongoing.
Home is a lot more settled now – because I learned a lot from Pride Lands too. School is a long and mysterious journey, but Oscar knows Moses will not give up on him.
Moses says his secret power is he is a child whisperer; I think it’s actually that he has an excellent BS detector and while he has empathy for Oscar he knows when Oscar is telling a roundabout truth to avoid owning his mistakes. Mistakes are okay providing you learn from them.
Slowly (baby steps) Oscar is learning.
Pridelands mentors occupy a unique role independent of family and school so when there is tension on both fronts, they can provide a bridge for kids who are shouting across a chasm, trying to be understood and the people on the other side just hear shouting.
Moses and Pride Lands Mentors and Supervisors understand the challenges neurodiverse children face but importantly also the joy and fun they bring to the Pride.
Pride Lands see the outstanding adult he’s capable of growing into (even Oscar can’t quite see it himself yet).
Pride Lands and Oscar make a good team – there’s acceptance and support and a lot of fun.
Cheers
Maria
