"Why are you obsessed with brains?"

"Why are you so obsessed with brains?" It's a question I get asked a lot.

Many who know me know that I was diagnosed with a brain disorder called Agenisis of the Corpus Callosum (ACC) with I was 20 years old. I was actually born with it and they didn't find out until then.

The cliff notes version to what ACC is: Agenisis of the Corpus Callosum means that someone is born with the Corpus Callosum (bridge to both sides of the brain, the connector piece in the brain) either completely or partially missing. This causes a number of problems. Though some with ACC are known as "high functioning" and others may not be able to walk or talk or do much of anything for themselves.

Before you read any further, know that I've heard before the whole "well I'd never known if you hadn't told me." that might be true, instead you'd have labeled my ACC moments as me being weird, or stupid or blonde. I've heard it all trust me. I was bullied all through school because I didn't fit in and THIS, my ACC was why.

Of course, my "obsession", my interest in the brain didn't start with my ACC diagnoses. I studied the brain in my gifted class way back in middle school. It ALWAYS fascinated me. I remember getting those discovery kids magazines back when I was little. I still have them, and the brain issue... it's a little more beat up than all the others because I devoured the info in it.

But with my diagnoses, I did get even more interested in the brain and how it works. That was my favorite part of my general psychology class in college. For example did you know that doctors will actually remove the CC from someones brain in order to stop seizures, but some with ACC actually struggle with having seizures? WOW!

So yes, I have a brain shaped eraser, stress ball, pen, and key chain, yes, I have a squishy brain model, a grow your own brain science thing, a brain bank... I LOVE brains. It's amazing to see just how different brains work, with or without the corpus callosum. So, I might be a little obsessed, brains mean something to me. It's fun! :P