60 Miles in June for The National Autistic Society - by Mrs Snooks

Sounds like a positive thing to do and wish you well. It would be good to hear how things are going like you suggest. I do a lot of walking and running myself, not sure if I could be interested but don’t particularly want any attention

Oh yes! I know that one also!!!!  Steaming!

Sorry about that; what a horrible thing to say. Several months ago I told a few people that I was autistic; they were either indifferent or dismissive in a “we’re all a bit autistic” kind of way. 

A harder day today.

One of my work colleagues who was told today, said to me when I asked her if she was surprised that "no she wasn't surprised". That not everyone can be normal.

Breaking my heart to hear that. So hard to believe that I am not broken, when I have to be okay when someone says that to me.

She then said after I must have looked how I felt, "well whatever normal is"

How do you even cope when someone says you are abnormal. I guess it was not meant to be unkind. But God it hurt. 

Great song.

Reminds me of when I was a teenager. I played The Climb so many times, and I would watch Hannah Montana when I got in from school. Best of times.

I'm sorry about your experience with work - that's awful, makes me mad when people are so closed minded and treat others badly. It takes a lot to open up, you should be proud of yourself. Don't worry about people who judge, they really don't matter.

Congrats on doing your walk!

What an amazing thing to do. I like the t-shirt too! I've recently been diagnosed but next year I am thinking of doing a walk, or, some sort of fundraising activity for Autism.

Step 1. Get T-shirt out of back to wardrobe. 

Day one being out.

It was okay. I am going with the flow when they talk about 'diagnosis', person first language advice, and 'being on the Spectrum'. Well it's a start.

Listening to (well of course I am)

Thanks Mrs Snooks. The option to not receive a T shirt is making me think again about registering.

The best of luck with your sponsorship.

I know the song and I am sorry. Keep your chin up, things can only get better!

Offers virtual hugs. x

Hi. I was looking for an emoji to express how to respond with how I feel.

I am really into my music. I think at the moment, how I feel is capured by the song by Ellie Goulding, called 'Army'. I can not post a link here, because the song contains swearing.

Thank you.

I'll keep my fingers crossed for you that things will get better !!

My experience did bring a lot of trauma and I haven't worked since.

It makes me so angry too. If people just took time to understand us, rather than judge us, then things like working would be so much easier. It takes a lot to come out as autistic - you should be so proud of yourself - and really we should be in a world that respects and supports us, not one that attacks us.

It's so sad really.

Keeping you in my thoughts mrs.snooks.

Hi. Yes I feel very much like that about sponsorship. That it is seems that we have to achieve some activity, just to get a donation. I guess that is very much the world we live in. That we no longer give without some justification for doing so.

I am glad that you have a some friends in retirement. It is my strong hope that I will not be alone, when I have retired.

I like you was worried about costing the NAS more money than I could raise. I had no idea that when you register, you can choose an option to not receive a T-shirt. This is what I did, for this reason. And also because I have one from 2023.

Yes, I think it worthy too. That is my wish too.

Thank you so much for posting.

Hi. I hope it gets better too. I'm not sure which way it is going to go with coming out at work. I'm so sorry to hear about how it went for you. There are so many of us that have had bad outcomes.

It makes me feel so angry. That we are judged for not working when the same poeple say that we are not team players, that our interviews are a train-wreck, that we are not welcome in the workplace, that we are rejected just for being how we are.

Thank you for your kind words. Thank you for rooting for me. That means the world to me.

Congrats on coming out at work. I'm sorry it's been stressful but I hope it gets better. When I was working briefly I came out as autistic and it didn't go well at all.

mrs.snooks said:

I'm thinking that the next step is to do the 60 Miles in June for The National Autistic Society.

Well done what an amazing thing to do!! Keep us updated on how it goes.

Rooting for you!!

Well done you! 

I thought of doing 60 miles in June as I would normally walk more than that in a month. It would feel like cheating though as it wouldn’t cause me hardship, also I have always struggled with the idea of any sponsorship in the form of X number of miles, or X lengths of a pool or X jumps etc. I always think why can’t the person just ask for donations instead. I don’t understand this idea of sponsorship.

The other thing putting me off is that I am retired and have little contact with others, save a couple of friends who might sponsor me.

I am concerned that I might cost the NAS more money than I would donate as they send you a free T shirt when you register. Together with administration costs, it mightn’t be worth their while.

I am a member of The NAS because it is a worthwhile charity and worth supporting. I just wish there was some way I could contribute towards their efforts.