Not long after I was diagnosed I was having a conversation with my parents on the telephone. I don’t remember what we were talking about but what I do remember was my dad saying “Don’t worry dear, you’re not defective”. Now I know he meant this in the most endearing way possible but the funny thing was, I never thought of myself as ‘defective’ until he said that to me. Defective? I’m DEFECTIVE? What does that even mean?
According to Google, defective means:
Imperfect?
Faulty?
Flawed?
Shoddy?
Well… that sounds like everyone doesn’t it? I’m not special, really. Just defective like everyone else. Just in my own unique way.
However, I do have some “complaints over defective goods” Ahem. Cough. … I have since written the manufacturer to ask for a refund. Unfortunately, there are no refunds or store credit on previous purchases. I have been told, however, that I can get a replacement part. I have placed my order and am waiting for it to be filled.
#BatteriesNotIncluded
December 30, 2013 @ 7:55 am
I can’t tell you how much I love this! Thank you. Something pretty traumatic happened to me when I was 14, but neither of my parents knew about it at the time. When I finally told my father (not a particularly attentive or loving man) about the assault 6 years later, he responded by saying, “I just want you to know dear that doesn’t change the way I feel about you.” I am fairly certain that the metamessage was that he now thought I was damaged goods. Your post helps me remember that the real definition of defective or damaged is just human.