Buenas dias

Or, good day!

I am a recently diagnosed level 1 autistic British man, 69 years old, retired, and living in southern Spain in a very rural community away from the madding crowds.

Until a few years ago, autism was something other people had.  Me?  I am just slightly weird!  But, but, but.....  I'd served in the military, worked in electronics, and specialised in security systems.  Ran my own business and eventually ended up working in an approvals laboratory before taking early retirement.  During all of that, I managed to get married, divorced, and married again.  At the age of 56, I even managed to acquire a master's degree!!  So, no, I never felt that I had any sort of definable problem, just that I did not fit in.  Perhaps I should have paid more attention, as my life and career path were certainly not 'normal', and I am aware that using the word normal is fraught.

So here we are, diagnosed and getting to grips with what that means.  For the last few weeks, I have been slowly learning more about autism and me, and I know that that journey still has a long way to run.

Parents Reply Children
  • It seems that autism has that affect on more than would be statistically normal.  Whether that is the autism or not being able to fit in the 'normal' world is a debate worth exploring perhaps.  

    Interesting that you say I 'sound American'.  Nope, a lad from the far South-West of England, though I have travelled a bit.  The military took me to the States once, I enjoyed it as a teen, it seemed different yet familiar in a comfortable sort of way.  Today I wouldn't go there even if you paid me!

    Spain, on the other hand, is an old country full of history, intrigue, magnificent vistas, and people who are a great mix of cultures that mostly get along fine.  Grimacing

    Viva la difference!