Mostly I have our lurked on this page and smiled because I do not want to be the person who has every problem. But I love you all, and I might even have run across one of you years ago on an old forum called instructables. We had an aspie page where we would talk shortly before I was diagnosed. I will be forever grateful to the people there, I was the token female on that page, and when one passed away, I was so heartbroken, I never returned. I was diagnosed with aspergers in my forties, I am now in my fifties.
Once I had the answers why and learned I was not alone in a sea of strangers, somehow it was easier to see things differently, and have a different understanding of the world than those around me. I damaged my own ears as a child because, well you know why, I was four, I still hear well enough that most people would never know, now I can live with the noises. I can’t do groups of people, my perfect number is three people. I can be in a crowded place but still be within my own little group of three, that is a learned skill for me. My feelings and tolerances have changed quite a bit, since I found some commonality and an some explanation. This has also been facilitated by being basically unemployed outside the home, which means less masking more choosing. I even learned to be silly and have a little fun with those I feel comfortable with. I still mask a lot with many but I surround myself with animals and people I trust, who understand who I am.
My husband of almost 23 years is amazing and has always loved me no matter what I became laser focused on learning. I have multiple degrees because I couldn’t move on until I learned every bit of information I could on a topic that piqued my interest. My husband and I both have or have had cancer and all of the long term issues that go with it. Yes, I find it sad, but I also find it fascinating which some think is morbid, but information is the best weapon so that is ok with us.
Thank you for being here, I am remembering the woman who hesitantly reached out on a forum and was infused with information and acceptance, and believing that this is a place like that. We are better together.