I have discovered in IHIQS a sanctuary where members can meet and freely express themselves, away from the stereotypes that define “gifted.” Many of us experienced this bias growing up, and these experiences have often defined us in a negative way. As a creative, this particularly affected my writing and career choices. I used to wonder why I never “fit in”. I’m grateful that acknowledging this difference has returned me to my original path. In the IHIQS space, I have discovered a sanctuary that enables me to express myself authentically. The forums are a gateway to meet other like-minded members and communicate openly without the adverse and often disparaging reactions I have encountered over the years. IHIQS has provided a haven where I can be myself among like minds and enjoy discussions I don’t commonly find elsewhere. As a writer and artist, I’ve been a salmon swimming upstream against the current of conformity and revel in an environment where I’m not asked to dumb it down or challenged by those who don’t understand the creative passion. I’m grateful to have such a venue.

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