APRAXIA MAKES ME LOOK STUPID
What is apraxia and how does it feel to be apraxic?
Words in all caps are spelled by Geo on a 26 letterboard using S2C
Before we talk more about Apraxia, it’s helpful to understand Praxis. Praxis is basically being able to make your body do what you want it to do when you want it to do it…every time.
It starts with an Idea. A beginning most of us probably take for granted. “I’m thirsty.”
Next is the Plan. Again, automatic for most.
Then INITIATION. The body obeying the brain by moving.
Then the body does this intricate plan. Stand up, hinge at the hips, shoulders forward, one step, two steps, glass from the cupboard, held under the faucet (or reverse osmosis water filter that you then have to add minerals to…?!) water on, fill, water off, bring to mouth, swallow...
Then Inhibition. The task has been completed so now the body can stop doing what it was doing.
And REPEAT. Repeat is important. It means that every time you want to get a glass of water, you anre able to get a cup of water and drink it.
Apraxia Doodle by Gigi Nelson
APRAXIA IS MY FRAGMENTED ALIEN CHARISMA
CEPT WITH TAME ARMS
ANCHORS ME TO THE GROUND
AT THE TIME I NEED TO GO I STOP
AND WHEN I NEED TO STOP I GO
ALWAYS I AM OUT OF SYNC WITH THIS UNIVERSE
OFTEN I AM IN SYNC WITH NO AND YES AT THE SAME TIME
APRAXIA MAKES ME LOOK STUPID
“Apraxia Makes Me Look Stupid” by Geo Nelson
Apraxia is a -disconnect- between the brain and the body.
And, apraxia is inconsistently disruptive.
Maybe you don’t get past Idea because the body refuses to move.
Maybe you successfully get a glass of water once, twice, three times, and suddenly can’t repeat on command anymore.
Maybe the body freezes holding a glass under the faucet. Water running running running.
Maybe the body won’t inhibit and the second the hand touches the glass, it throws it on the ground. Shattered.
Sometimes the body learns a motor plan that becomes automatic and repeatable in a certain environment but when your body tries to get water in a new kitchen, you get a plate out of the cabinet instead of a cup because that’s where the cups usually are.
Apraxia messes with people in every single area of life. Going to the bathroom. Getting dressed. Crossing the street. Pointing to flash cards.
Speaking.
TO PEOPLE WHO PROTECT FEARS OF CHANGE
PLEASE HEAR AN ENERGETIC HAND FLAP AS APRAXIA
AND WITH THE KNOWLEDGE YOU GAIN BE TEACHABLE
AND SEE THE PERSON NOT THE BODY. - Geo Nelson
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