Hey there,
My name is Brad and I was diagnosed with autism late in my 30s. I am in the area of Cambridge, England. My hobbies include playing PC games, visiting the cinema, dining-out, and going for walks.
Throughout life, I have struggled maintaining friendships and relationships. I have struggled to maintain my own personal boundaries, whilst having a healthy balance of socializing with others. I have found it difficult to connect and relate with others, finding it difficult to find a mutual interest to engage in. I have experienced a lot of disrespect and bullying, which at times has been very difficult to avoid.
In early years, I would play PlayStation 1 games. I then got a PlayStation 2, but I did not have many games for it. I moved on to PC gaming which really enhanced the graphical experience. The disadvantage with PC gaming was whenever any friend(s) was round the house, we could not play together. Game consoles are more user-friendly for couch cooperative Multiplayer. Not many of my friends had PCs and I feel this affected my friendships. My parents were not keen of different kids sat in the house playing videogames.
In Middle School and Upper School, I was regularly playing - Empire Earth (2001) - Multiplayer with a good school friend. I have many fond memories of the base-building, real-time strategy game. The game had various epochs to play in, such as the Bronze Age, Atomic Age: WW2, and the Nano Age. The game has aged ever so much and I have never found any other game like it. I was also fixated on TES IV: Oblivion, absolutely loving the open world and voiced dialogue.
I hope to make new friends and new connections, hoping to establish a healthy balance of socializing.
Please don't feel scared to reach out.
--- Brad
