Other Welcome to club asperger ;)

[Escape Goat]

Hey folks,

I've seen Asperger's syndrome mentioned here and the feelings, experiences, and opinions are so varied that I thought I'd add my own. And believe me, I don't envy any of you who live with it.

I didn't find out about it myself until formally Dx'd for it at 42 years. In my formative years I was bullied and ostracized in school by teachers as well as students, could never hold a job with its co-morbid partial complex seizures, was ostracized by the entire population of the little mining town where I grew up, and in my family was the lost child / scapegoat for it.

Although awareness has progressed in megagarganturan leaps and bounds, sadly society for the most part continues to judge us and to shun us as we are filthy stinking disease-carrying flea-ridden 2-legged sewer rats.

I remain forever underemployed and always broke, so I went into business for myself as a full time professional artist in the face of the enormous challenges and social opposition. The Arts were my first love, now it is my last card which I just played. I now refuse to take any employment that isn't in or at least closely related to the arts. It is not a job that I don't want; it is working for boneheads that I don't want. I could go on and on about my work history but you the AS person, I'm sure you are already familiar with the lifestyle.

We'll talk more about it!

Escaped Goat

 

[WildMermaid]

I don't have Asperger's so may not fit here but do have other issues that I'm often judged on. What arts do you do? Which are your favorites?

 

[Queen Boudica]

I've heard it said that there are a lot more people with Asperger's than you realise. And in fact a lot of lawyers, and a hell of a lot of silicon valley are made up of Asperger's. Forget society and do what you feel is right. You have amazing powers and Asperger's is not all bad, it does give you strengths that others don't have. Lots of people don't fit in. It isn't just about Aspergers. I think the thing is to find your niche. You've recognised that. That is something real good, many struggle with that. Now fly with it. Don't let the bastards get you down. Easier said than done. We are all different. If we are lucky we find our niche and we find the good and we channel that. But not feeling a part of society and people can be very hard. And part of that is a way of thinking that maybe needs changing. You have a lot of good things and abilities. Good you start your own business, you've recognised that. Many people do that. Some are unable to even get that far.

 

[aber]

I was never bullied until I got to the United States: you have to know one thing: it is something that is very prevalent in this country.

Growing up oversees kids were just kids and people were real people who in general tried not to hurt others, aside from some black sheep.

In the U.S. the majority consists of black sheep, completely the other way around.

And being an entrepreneur does much more than just make money: it allows us to show what we really are capable of, because in any ordinary workplace I am stifled by people whose IQ is about 100 points below mine, yes welcome to autism, and who will go to any length to make it sound like they have a brain and will constantly try to prove to me how damn smart they are, them fools.

Anyone that attempts to fool an autistic person can not have a lot of smarts to begin with.

It is funny how regular people attempt to make us autistic people believe that we are trying to force ourselves into the ordinary society of theirs, but again: it is completely the other way around: they are trying to force themselves into our world and that really hurts when noticing how incredibly dumb these people really are.

 

[Escape Goat]

WildMermaid,

I do Art in many different mediums including painting (mainly in oil), sketching, cartoons, and also sculpt in snow, ice, sand, and carving pumpkins. Whenever possible I travel to competitions in snow, ice, and sand sculpting.
I also forever remain open to any method or medium I have not previously attempted.

Lizio,

Yes, it is always a cold and lonely journey, especially when it seems everyone else can have friends and lovers as if provided by some divine source. Ever since going into business for myself I've never felt so alien even in my own community. I feel like a social island and I struggle with it every minute of every day.

 

[Queen Boudica]

Can empathise and feel exactly the same way. It is really hard. Wish I had some answers. Trying to figure out a lot. The art is good, you're so lucky with that. I think maybe all those we think have so many friends and lovers, can be struggling with lots that we don't realise. Sometimes being able to be independent and make our own way is better than crappy relationships. I don't know. Too hard.

 

[Deleted member 1860]

Wow, aber, nice of you to have such a crappy view of everyone who isn't autistic! Nice way to spread the hate.

 

[Born to Run]

Aber, do you think it is wise to have so much contempt for people without autism? As an entrepreneur that will not get you very far.