That is Not Me: A Journey of PerceptionThat is Not Me: A Journey of Perception is based on a poem the author wrote during her early twenties. Growing up in the 1960s and ‘70s, L.J. Nelson struggled to understand who she was as a Little Person diagnosed with Achondroplasia. During that time, very little scientific or medical research was available regarding the causes of, and support for, the rare conditions of skeletal dysplasia. Raised to be an independent and resourceful woman by her loving family, L.J. only gradually realized that she was “different.” After challenging teen years, L.J. struggled to embrace the realities of her differences as a young adult, but she gradually learned an approach to life that has seen her ride a bike, play the piano and saxophone, and establish her professional career as a Special Educator. This is her memoir. It is about relationships—with her family, friends, strangers, and even herself. It is about her experiences. Told with refreshing frankness, strong doses of humour, and, at times, raw emotion, That is Not Me is a testament to tenacity. It is a story about choices, change, enlightenment, and, above all, encouragement. |
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ability achondroplasia asked attention battle became become believe British Columbia brothers career celebration challenges child comfort continued creating Dad’s dance dwarf dwarfism dwarves Eilat Emma Lee emotional encounter eventually experience family members family’s farm feel felt focussed friends friendship George gift golf happened height high school hospital interact interest Ivory Johns Hopkins Hospital Johns Hopkins Medicine journey Kathy Bates kitchen knew L.J. Nelson let go Little Person living long ago look back Marcus Welby meals milkshakes Mom’s mother moved Neenie never normal obsession opportunity pain parents particular perception physical play poem profes professional reach realize relationships role Rupert Everett Saskatchewan seemed sharing siblings similar sister someone soprano saxophone specialist stand tall started strangers surgery teacher teaching teenager tion trip unique walking wanted wasn’t watching young adult