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Dear blog readers,
A lot has happened since I last wrote regular posts for this website, which is about 3 years ago. Since then, I have:
become single
left home before my kids, which feels quite unnatural
been homeless/unhomed but am now homed
found out I am a gifted polymath
found out that I have at least one learning disorder and multiple mental health problems/disorders, which makes me 'gifted-twice exceptional'. Gifteds are more likely to have mental health problems, mental disorders and learning disorders than the non-gifted population
come to understand that I am gender diverse, which was not an option when I was growing up in Meanjin/Brisbane. Gifteds are more likely to be gender diverse than the non-gifted population
changed my name to Gen but my legal name is still Genevieve
come out as non-binary in February 2023 and transitioned to they/them pronouns in 2024
come to understand that I have been abused for decades by multiple people in multiple settings in multiple ways, including in medical and allied health, education and community settings. Gifteds are more likely to be abused than the non-gifted population
come to understand that I was sexually abused multiple times at age 11 in the community setting and probably also at a younger age by another person (unknown person/setting). Abused children are twice as likely to become abused adults, which has been my experience
developed more medical problems - I now have 7 specialist doctors and there is talk of an 8th and 9th. Gifteds are more likely to have complex and/or chronic health problems, especially ones that aren't in the medical books
come to understand that I have been sexually abused by multiple medical and allied health perpetrators, one of whom stalked me when I left the practice
noticed my disability is worsening, which I came out with in 2019 - I now keep two walking sticks in my car, just in case, which are named Fred and Ginger
learnt to lie for my own protection, to say no, to walk away, and to listen to my intuition
So I've been busy, hence the minimal art making.
However, yesterday I achieved a major milestone - I went to the Brisbane Pride Festival! I chickened out last year, but this year I made it. I am proud of myself for going because coming out in your early fifties as gender diverse is confronting and alienating.
While I am confused as to why it's not called the Meanjin Pride Festival, I still enjoyed the event - thanks to everyone who contributed to make it special, fun and inclusive!
While I was there, I noticed there was an above-average number of people with visible disabilities. If, statistically, 80% of disabilities are invisible, there must have been so many people there living with at least one disability (I have several). So if anyone wants a research thesis idea, I reckon the intersection of gender diversity and disability in Australia is ripe for the picking (I would be happy to be a case study).
See ya!
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