What Diagnosis Did For Me
For about half of my 64 years, I experienced couch surfing or homelessness. Receiving my diagnosis felt like a lightbulb illuminating above me. I finally understood why I was different. Throughout my life, I believed my parents' claims that I was 'broken,' a 'misfit,' 'lazy,' or 'manipulative.' Truthfully, I did learn to manipulate my surroundings to survive, believing I lacked the personal power to change my circumstances.
My journey began one day when I started experiencing migraine headaches. I was referred to a neurologist who performed an MRI on my brain. As he reviewed the images with me, I noticed a large dark area where my brain should have been. That was the moment everything made sense to me. The shame and guilt imposed by others and myself began to melt away, like an iceberg in the sun.
It's important to note that DCCs exist on a spectrum; some individuals experience severe disabilities, while others experience none. Nonetheless, understanding my brain difference empowered me to start changing my life.
Things didn't become perfect overnight, but I finally had the tools to start working with myself. Knowledge is indeed powerful.
Once I learned about this, I immediately searched online (or whatever search engine was available back then) for information on ACC. I discovered the National Organization for Disorders of the Corpus Callosum, which set me on the path to self-discovery. I discovered that I wasn't the only one, as nearly 1 in 4000 individuals are born with a form of DCC.
Currently, I have stable housing and receive the necessary physical and mental support to flourish. I have a caregiver who assists me in focusing on my needs and ensures I can manage my ADLs (Activities of Daily Living). She also helps me attend appointments and takes me where I need to go. And life is generally good.
Upon learning my diagnosis, I was able to look back over my life, much like flipping through an old Rolodex of memories. I could "apply the diagnosis" to numerous confusing memories and reinterpret them accurately.
Again, my takeaway is that knowledge is power.
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