Vasily N. (SLI) about Physical Hypersensitivity

SLIs have very fine sensory perception of the world around them. What are they afraid of? Most likely, physical pain. They don’t handle pain well.

One time I was riding a bus. Three homeless people got on—and immediately there was this sharp, rancid smell. They smelled of old age and hopelessness. The stench clung to hair, clothing, it got into your throat—it caused massive discomfort, disgust, nausea. You felt revulsion toward your own body. You wanted to wash everything, clean and air it all out.

I recognize many different smells. In the holding cell, it’s the smell of fear. In prison, from the people there—it’s the smell of hopelessness. I can identify people by smell very easily.

Often, I feel a strong need to wash myself—if I get even slightly nervous, I can feel a film on my skin.