| How my dyspraxia pulled the best looking man in SPICE!! My clubbing mate was not even bothering to answer the 'phone. She just does not want to know when she has a fella in tow. I was stuck at home again on a Friday night. Here I was with just the T.V. and my cats for company. I had recently become a member of SPICE, an adventure and social group. I had no intention of booking dance classes with SPICE but I was very lonely. I knew I would have two left feet as I have dyspraxia. This is a hidden disability ( if you don't dance in public!) I was not diagnosed until I was thirty three. It affects my co-ordination, concentration, ability to copy movement and my short-term memory. I am untidy, disorganised and forget where I have put things and I am slow at practical tasks. I was hopeless at P.E. at school, and I can't drive a car because I have problems with telling left from right, judging distances and I have a poor sense of direction. I often have bruises on my legs where I bump into furniture and I get tired easily. My Dyspraxia is not an excuse to get on with my life. I own my own home and I go to the gym. I have done abseiling, Fire eating, white water rafting and many other adventure activities with SPICE. I have also made some new friends by becoming the adult contact for the Dyspraxia Foundation in the Manchester area. I went along to the dance classes on the Friday and tried to enjoy it. Some SPICE members took dancing too seriously and were very impatient with me when I danced with them. At the Christmas Glitter Dance most made excuses that their dance cards were full. I was delighted when Philip the best looking man in SPICE put his name down even though he was in great demand by the ladies who were good dancers. Phil, who has his own Telecomunications business, was always very encouraging and supportive. One evening I was fustrated with my self and nearly in tears. I just did not understand how to do the Cha Cha Cha. I sat down and gave up. Phil got me up for a dance. I soon cheered up when I looked into his big blue eyes, with long eyelashes, full lips and blond hair. The next week I went to the SPICE Christmas Masked Ball. I had expected to sit next to a man who looked better with his mask on! I arrived very late and unwittingly made made a grand entrance. The only empty seat was next to Phil who looked gorgeous in his evening attire. When he asked me to join him I was very reluctant as I thought he felt sorry for me. To my surprise he started chatting me up! There was a look in his eyes I had not seem before. I thought all my Christmas's had come at once when he looked into my eyes and our lips met. How could such a handsome man fancy such an appalling dancer? We exchanged 'phone numbers. I was convinced he would not ring me once he had sobered up and realised with whom he had been snogging, but he did. In the new year we went to the next dance class together, hand in hand. All the single women were green with envy.The worst dancer in SPICE had pulled the best looking man in SPICE, with a personality to match. He is also a good fundraiser for my support group. We have been very happy together for over two years now. We probably would never have met but for my dyspraxia. Update January 2002 We have been seeing each other now for three years. I dont do as many Spice events as I used to as running the group takes up a lot of my spare time. I have recently been on a Spice Personal Development weekend, which has helped me become less agressive and more assertive. I can't wait for part two. by Janet Taylor |