DIVERGENT CORNER

Around this time last year, I booked my car in for servicing online a week ahead of the due date.

On Friday morning of the day I was to take the car, I received a call from the mechanic. He said he wanted a bit more detail.

First, he asked what time specifically I wanted to come around, because I only wrote “dinner-ish” on my booking.

Secondly, he wanted to know if I had any form of disability. At first, it sounded strange. In my mind, I was like ‘what has oil change got to do with disability’? Well, let me play along and see where this is heading.

I told him I’ve got a bit of learning disability. For lay oyibo people, if I have to, It is usually my brief way of categorising my disability rather than saying ADHD/Autism because that usually opens up another line of dogon turanci. I would rather avoid that. A lot of people have never seen black autistic/ADHD adult, and they are curious people.

The guy told me they are fitting a new ramp in front of their office that is why they ask so they can make tailored adjustments ahead of time. I said ooh ok! That makes sense now. I won’t need any support, thank you.

When I got to the office later that day. After small just jist, he said to me, sorry if I’m being nosy, you said you’ve got learning disability, what kind is it?. I said ‘oh yeah, I’ve got ADHD and I am autistic as well.’
He said, “so are you like one of those fricking nerds or something.?” I busted into laughter and said, Nahhh I am not a nerd. Not every neurodivergent person is a nerd. In fact they are two very different, completely unrelated stuff. He tried to argue but I interrupted, ‘recent evidence is clear that Autism can exist in any category of people. Nerds or non nerds.

Then he gave me the most annoying response ever, very typical of neurotypicals, ” well, agree to disagree”. I said “How can you disagree with scien…. Forget about it”

I have gone to school for many years, I have read so many books and have listened to a lot of wise men speak, but it was this encounter that taught me the most important, life changing lesson that switched my brain and I have not been the same person ever since. It is one of those moments religious people will describe as “turn my life around” .

When I told him that, contrary to popular beliefs, not all neurodivergent people are nerds, he said “tell you what mate, if I have learnt one thing by observing my nephew closely is that THE THINGS PEOPLE LIKE YOU SEE AND PERCEIVE AS COMMON SENSE IS ACTUALLY NOT JUST COMMON SENSE.

It didn’t make any sense to me at first, but the moment I understood it, that was the moment my life flipped, in an instant.

The profound revelation reduced my stress levels significantly. I always knew for a fact that I am a bit dumb, but I realised that my stupidity somehow gives me a bit of an advantage in life.

So right now, I am still trying to decide what to do with this advantage. Attempt to change the world or just be rich and nonchalant.