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Struggling

Ryan_1985

Hi, Just joined to see if this helps and to get advice from others who experience similar struggles. My name is Ryan. I’m 41 and from Manchester. I’m struggling a lot at the moment. I was diagnosed in 2015 after years of difficulties dating back to my early teens at school. Over the past 10 years, I’ve hardly left my home. I struggle a lot around people and experience mutism, though I’m able to speak once I feel safe. I'm struggling a lot feeling isolated, I have no friends and have hardly spoken to anyone in years.

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  • Hello Ryan,

    And welcome.  It's all very new for me also; my diagnosis was only a few weeks ago.

    From what you describe, I can only sympathise; my autism is so different from yours.  And that's the thing: we are all unique!  That would seem an obstacle to you I suspect, given your need for understanding and time to feel safe.  But I do think that in time, that obstacle could also be a strength as you (we?) learn and grow in our discovery of who we are and how to be part of a diverse group.

    You mentioned, replying to Oscar, that you liked old movies; welcome to my world.  Grinning  The early noir movies especially are a firm favourite of mine.  I see you have an interest in the early PC's; my experience was with the Acorn Electron and Archimedes machines, such clever devices that packed a lot into limited systems.  And cameras?  My hobby is photography.  I have several cameras that I use regularly, though they are now too heavy for me to use for long periods, so I am fortunate to have a small studio where I make still life pictures, and the camera sits on a tripod.  So, if you don't mind me prattling on about old films and cameras, then hit me up for a chat sometime.  I confess my passion for computers has waned since they became a big part of my working life.

  • in reply to Iago

    Thank you for your kind reply. It is true how different autism can be for everyone. I’d definitely be up for chatting about classic movies, noir, and old computers whenever you like. Take care.

  • in reply to Ryan_1985

    Any time you like Ryan. 

    A word of caution: I know how my brain gets me wound up when things don't happen as I expect, and I don't want you to get the idea that something is wrong.  Although I am retired and therefore rich in time, don't be alarmed if I don't respond quickly.  Today, for instance, I have to go out soon and return some stuff and then go to the dentist (one of my least favourite things!), so I will be absent for a while.  And my energy drops through the day, so you are most likely to 'see' me during the middle part of the day.  Later I tend to slow up and go and watch an old movie or some TV 'Who Done It'.

    So, I look forward to chatting, but it will likely be disjointed as life and energy dictate when I am able to do so.

    Heart

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  • in reply to Ryan_1985

    Any time you like Ryan. 

    A word of caution: I know how my brain gets me wound up when things don't happen as I expect, and I don't want you to get the idea that something is wrong.  Although I am retired and therefore rich in time, don't be alarmed if I don't respond quickly.  Today, for instance, I have to go out soon and return some stuff and then go to the dentist (one of my least favourite things!), so I will be absent for a while.  And my energy drops through the day, so you are most likely to 'see' me during the middle part of the day.  Later I tend to slow up and go and watch an old movie or some TV 'Who Done It'.

    So, I look forward to chatting, but it will likely be disjointed as life and energy dictate when I am able to do so.

    Heart

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