Revealing my personal journey with dyspraxia: Bumps, bruises and breakthroughs.
More Than Just Being Clumsy
Clumsy. Unco. Clot. …and most recently, Stumbalina.
These are just a few of the nicknames I've collected over the years. And to be fair — I've probably earned them.
Take the door threshold in my house. I've tripped over it not once… not twice… but at least three times in one day. I know it's there. My brain knows it's there. But somehow, my feet don't always get the message.
Then there's the kitchen counter — you know the bit that sticks out just slightly? Everyone else seems to breeze past it. Me? I somehow manage to catch my toe on it, like it's out to get me.
And then of course — the classic — tripping over absolutely nothing in public, limbs flying, dignity nowhere to be seen.
All real stories. All very much part of my normal — or at least, what I thought was normal. For years, I just thought: Maybe I'm hopelessly uncoordinated. Maybe it's just me.
But then I learned something that changed everything.
Understanding Dyspraxia
It's not just me. It's actually something called Dyspraxia — a neurodiverse condition that affects coordination, spatial awareness, planning, and how the brain and body work together.
Dyspraxia, sometimes called Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD), affects how the brain plans and processes physical movements. It's a difference in how information is communicated from the brain to the body.
Learning that was like switching on a light in a room I didn't even know I'd been sitting in.
But dyspraxia isn't just about tripping over things or knocking over cups. It impacts spatial awareness, timing, balance, and fine motor skills — in ways that are often invisible to others.
The Adult Experience of Dyspraxia
For adults with dyspraxia, everyday challenges might include:
Struggling with organisation and time management
Difficulty with navigation and finding our way around
Challenges with handwriting, typing, or other precise movements
Processing multiple pieces of information at once
And it doesn't just disappear after childhood. It follows you into adulthood — into workplaces, relationships, and everyday life — where the consequences can be much bigger than a bruised knee.
The New Zealand Perspective
Here in New Zealand, dyspraxia affects approximately 5-6% of the population — that's about 1 in 20 Kiwis who are navigating the world just like me.
Research shows it affects 2-4 times more males than females in New Zealand, and surprisingly, only about 25% of dyspraxic children receive appropriate support in schools, despite it being one of the most common neurodiverse conditions.
These statistics make me wonder how many people are out there still thinking they're just "naturally uncoordinated" when in reality, their brains are simply wired differently.
Real-Life Impact
I have a colleague — intelligent, funny, incredibly capable — who struggles daily with spatial awareness. She's had several minor car accidents — not because she's careless, but because judging distances, angles, and movement is genuinely difficult for her. Parking, merging, even navigating a tight driveway can feel like high-stakes survival missions.
And each insurance claim chips away a little more at her confidence — not because she's not trying, but because the world isn't designed for the way her brain processes movement.
The Hidden Struggle
What's tough about dyspraxia is that people don't see the effort. They see the trip, the bump, the mistake — and often assume laziness or carelessness.
But here's the truth: Dyspraxic brains are often working overtime just to manage tasks most people take for granted.
The Unexpected Strengths
And yet, many dyspraxic individuals — out of sheer necessity — develop exceptional:
Resilience and determination
Creative thinking and problem-solving skills
Empathy and emotional intelligence
And an amazing sense of humour (because sometimes, you just have to laugh!)
I came across a quote that finally put into words what I had always felt but never knew how to say:
"Dyspraxic minds process before the eyes — leading to unique movement and rhythm." Kudos to my esteemed colleague Rachel Barwell for those life changing words! Reading that was such a moment of validation. It reminded me that I'm not broken — my rhythm is just beautifully different - if a little embarrassing at times.
Finding Solutions
And here's the important part:
Since completing the Davis Programme, and consistently using the tools and techniques I learned, things have changed for me — significantly. Each morning, I take the time to orient myself properly — to set my mind and body up for success before stepping into the day.
When I practice this daily, my coordination improves. My focus sharpens. I move through the day with more ease and much less frustration.
And trust me — on the days when I forget to use my tools? Oh, I feel it.
A Different Approach
At Dyslexia Unpuzzled, balance, coordination, and orientation are foundational to the work we do. Getting 'oriented' — having the tools to adjust and manage your focus — makes a huge difference not just in reading and writing, but in how we physically move through the world.
Our specific approach helps dyspraxic individuals by providing practical techniques for:
Improving spatial awareness
Enhancing coordination and balance while developing clear focus
Developing strategies for organisation
Building confidence in movement and planning
It's life-changing — for me, and for so many of my clients.
You're Not Alone
So if you've ever felt like you move through life a little differently... If you're constantly bumping, bruising, fumbling — and wondering, Why am I like this?
You're not alone. I'm with you and you're not broken. There's a name for it. And there's a way to work with it — not against it.
I'd love to hear your stories — whether it's a funny fall, a frustrating experience, or a moment of recognition.
Remember, you're not just "unco" — you're beautifully, wonderfully wired differently.
