I am different. Something I have never actually said out loud. And rarely acknowledge even to myself. A planned change in direction and purpose. I have experience to share. It may help. Someone. So, let's begin ...

I was born with a poorly understood, genetically inherited brain disorder. Visual Snow Syndrome with Subjective Tinnitus. I see dots, hear ringing. Not a big deal. To me. But. My brain is wired differently. And always on.

I was 3 years old on that night. And no, I could not sleep. I stayed up all night. My kid world bubble had burst. My father did not have the answers. So my questions stopped. But not my curiosity. I should not still be alive.

A cool side effect of my inherited Visual Snow Syndrome with Tinnitus? I learned I could use the "ringing" like a bat's sonar and sense when something disrupted its harmonics. Vacuum tubes turning on/off. Light bulbs about to pop. But my favorite? An awareness of things you can't see ...