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How to live with an intellectual disability?

Asked by Alexandra_Mcorona91 (16points) December 3rd, 2014

I am a 23 year old college student who has just earned an associates degree in liberal arts. Still living at home, but going to a technical college to become a medical assistant, and working in retail. I had an IEP in high school and I never really knew the meaning of it. Meaning, I have an intellectual disability. I don’t know how to live with this diagnosis. I don’t want anyone outside of my family to get to know me, because I don’t want them to know I have it. As long as I have this, I will feel incomplete for the rest of my life. When my first job review came, my boss told me that I am a pleasure to work with and give excellent customer service, but have a hard time retaining and processing information. My boss doesn’t know that I have an intellectual disability and I don’t want him to know, for fear of being discriminated. I am extremely quiet and socially awkward. What is the point of living if I can’t form and maintain relationships with people? I refuse to date because I’m so afraid I will bring the other person down and depend on them too often. I refuse to have children because I’m so afraid that I’ll pass my intellectual disability down to them. I’m not outgoing and I fear criticism. Why am I even here?

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