The World on Parade

The psychologist for my Social Security

disability claim diagnosed me, among

other things, with Attention Deficit Dis-

order.

I was in my late fifties. Since childhood

I knew I had problems in school paying

attention, and my reading capabilities

were slow. I’d skip lines and have to read

them over and over again. Those were

the days when many children with such

issues were never properly assessed.

Teachers would often tell me and my

parents that I was basically not applying

myself. Of one thing I was keenly aware,

that I rarely learned anything by reading

or following written instructions.

I picked up things by either watching

or listening to verbal explanations.

ADD or a form of dyslexia were never

properly diagnosed as a problem for

me. I literally learned things by visual

observation.

In class as a youngster, I looked out

the window a lot or watched other kids

in class, studying their physical and

facial features. That was why I was so

adept at art. I visualized shapes, form

and behaviors in great detail.

I got the highest grades in art throughout

my school years. And I continued to pursue

my artistic endeavors well into adulthood,

even made a living at it from time-to-time.

I made friends and enemies with my art.

I made people laugh and cry with my art.

I could not memorize Lincoln’s Gettysburg

Address, but I could draw Old Abe’s and just

about everyone else’s portrait or caricature

from memory.

Nowadays, given my age and disabilities,

I can no longer draw, paint or sculpt. I have

tremors and shakes which barely allow me

to sign my name.

My art served me well in my younger years,

so I can’t really complain. I have accepted

the way things are. It is what it is.

I have done a lot of writing in recent years,

poetry and prose mostly. I can punch a key-

board two-fingered with a fair amount of

accuracy.

I haven’t really sold any of my written works.

I have had a few minor things published occa-

sionally. And all of that is okay by me.

I have come to realize that my disabilities

spawned other creative abilities in me.

Looking back, even had I been able to

change things, I would have it no other

way.

From my picture window, I am pleased

to say, I have portrayed the world on

parade in passing.

                          -30-

Chris Hanch 8-2-2020