#beingtheblacksheep

"In the English language, black sheep is an idiom that describes a member of a group who is different from the rest, especially a family member who does not fit in. The term stems from sheep whose fleece is colored black rather than the more common white; these sheep stand out in the flock and their wool is worth less as it will not dye.” – Wikipedia

I was the black sheep it turns out. Being born with a physical, mental, and emotional disability, meant I didn’t fit. Automatic disqualification. It’s not that we want to be different, but society views 'difference' differently and that has a bearing on 'family.'

Examples of the Black sheep

For me being the black sheep turned out to be a curse more than a blessing because me and my disability were ignored. Other black sheep examples include, a tomboy, a child with spunk. A geeky child, an academic child, a child that’s small, or one that's too tall, or a child that is overweight. The irony is that a child that is the black sheep, becomes the adult who continues to be the black sheep. Like all titles, it tends to stick like mud, no matter how many times you try to unstick yourself.

Mental rejection

I have experienced mental rejection and that has continued throughout my adult life. I was made to feel excluded, marginalised, isolated and alone. For anyone experiencing being the black sheep, it’s very real and can be incredibly difficult and traumatic. The people you expect to support and who should want to support you, don’t. Those who should understand you and what you deal with, your perspective, don’t.

Being the Black Sheep can be incredibly traumatic

The experience of being the black sheep is very real and can be incredibly traumatic. The people you expect to know you, don’t. The people who should want to understand your perspective, don’t. This trauma often lasts a lifetime, even if contact with the family of origin has been cut.