My father is one, and so like me it's hard to believe at times, but he is just about zero self-aware in regards to his condidtion's specifics, or that he has a condition. I also have a friend and mentor in my special interest who is clearly aspie, and likewise knows nothing of it. I have met not female aspies that I know of.
<tangent> My wife has a group of friends she has been close to since elementary school, and their all too damn frequent gatherings are my primary social-avoidance task. At least 10 times a year, more like 14, most years. I'm fine with popping in, saying hello, and leaving after about 60 - 90 minutes. Everyone else seems to prefer hanging around until you can close you eyes and name and place everyone near you by their now familiar B.O.
I recently learned of another aspie I have met a couple of times. He's the brother of one of my wife's good friends. Turns out he's an aspie. Not sure when he was dx'd, but apparently he was put on some med a very long time ago, and was functioning to a degree, living and working in another city. He was heavily addicted to the medication, and on doctor's advice, returned home to get off of it. Well, the wheels have fallen completely off without his meds, and he's unable to function, or even care for himself now. Now he's dealing with withdrawals and the unaccustomed burden of unmedicated AS. He's been consumed by black, hopeless depression, and is a high risk for self-harm. He's gone off to his 4th or 5th treatment facility, this time out of town. Hopefully, he'll soon gain enough altitude to avoid the tress and smaller hills, but his family is crushed and is losing hope of any degree of independent life for him.
This man's situation makes my troubles seem trivial by comparison. And as prone as I am to dwelling on the dark side and being very hard on myself, I can't help but feel grateful that I'm not in his shoes. Hopefully one day, he and I can sit down and have a chat once he's doing better. He might one day benefit from joining this community.
<tangent> My wife has a group of friends she has been close to since elementary school, and their all too damn frequent gatherings are my primary social-avoidance task. At least 10 times a year, more like 14, most years. I'm fine with popping in, saying hello, and leaving after about 60 - 90 minutes. Everyone else seems to prefer hanging around until you can close you eyes and name and place everyone near you by their now familiar B.O.
I recently learned of another aspie I have met a couple of times. He's the brother of one of my wife's good friends. Turns out he's an aspie. Not sure when he was dx'd, but apparently he was put on some med a very long time ago, and was functioning to a degree, living and working in another city. He was heavily addicted to the medication, and on doctor's advice, returned home to get off of it. Well, the wheels have fallen completely off without his meds, and he's unable to function, or even care for himself now. Now he's dealing with withdrawals and the unaccustomed burden of unmedicated AS. He's been consumed by black, hopeless depression, and is a high risk for self-harm. He's gone off to his 4th or 5th treatment facility, this time out of town. Hopefully, he'll soon gain enough altitude to avoid the tress and smaller hills, but his family is crushed and is losing hope of any degree of independent life for him.
This man's situation makes my troubles seem trivial by comparison. And as prone as I am to dwelling on the dark side and being very hard on myself, I can't help but feel grateful that I'm not in his shoes. Hopefully one day, he and I can sit down and have a chat once he's doing better. He might one day benefit from joining this community.
