Introduction...

Hi,

I'm someone with Asperger syndrome and I received this diagnosis four and a half years ago, after wondering why I seemed 'different' to other 'normal' people. At the time, I thought that knowing what I had would be something positive as I'd be able to explain to people what I had and why I was different and that those other people would be able to help me a little more, now that they knew what kind of disability I had, though for so long I wasn't aware that I had what was classed as a disability. I should mention that I'm unemployed and I naively thought that getting my diagnosis would help to make a positive difference in this regard.

Sadly, that didn't happen and unfortunately I'm now in two minds about whether I should have bothered finding out about myself at all, as I've come to realize that not only do the majority of people still know nothing about Asperger syndrome (but then I guess that was to be expected, since nobody really still understands what autism is), but it's also made me pretty cynical and unfortunately has put me off people a little, at least in being around them. But because I'm unemployed and though I don't like being around groups of people, the people I see who are supposedly trying to help me get into full-time employment keep on putting me among other groups of people and I'm the one who's expected to make the first move in getting to know the other members, though it's in this area that I have the most difficulty, hence my cynical attitude, since those other people seem more concerned about doing their own jobs, than in helping someone with this kind of disability, as it's something they can't or don't want to understand or to find out anything about.

Anyway, that's enough of my feeling sorry for myself, though I'm not one of those people who can pretend to have a positive attitude, when they're feeling anything, but positive. However, because I don't want this introduction to be completely sombre, I should mention that I like writing stories in my spare time and in fact, if it hadn't been for my story writing, I think I would have gone completely loopy way before now! Anyway, being able to write my stories is my solace and if anyone isn't put off by the first two paragraphs about myself (though it's better I should be honest about myself), I'd be interested in hearing from other fellow writers. If possible and if other people visiting this community are interested, I could add links so they could read some of the stories I've already written. I've written a science fiction/superhero young adult series called "Khalan & Jane" and a children's series called "Sarah & Emma". The "Khalan & Jane" series is comprised at this present time of three novels, three short story collections and a novella featuring the two main characters, Khalan and Jane Zhal, while "Sarah & Emma" currently consists of twelve short stories featuring the adventures of the two sisters, Sarah and Emma Clarke.

I hope I haven't put people off getting in touch, but I am one of life's cynics, I'm sorry to say and like I said before, it's better to be honest about the kind of person I am. Anyway, I look forward to hearing from other people who share my condition/disability on this site and who might be story writers too or any other kind of writer.

Culcheth36

P.S. As well as my story writing, I'm also learning French online, as it's always been one of my regrets that I never learned another language. Though I can't say I'm going to become a fluent French speaker in the foreseeable future, I'm a little more confident that I'll be able to read some French now and to understand what I'm reading!