As many people know, I do see a psychiatrist regularly to manage my anxiety disorder. Today I had my regular check-up with my doctor. It went great, so great that I don't even have to see him again for 3-4 months as opposed to the typical 8 weeks. I was super proud that I have done so well this semester and to get this good news, but the day got even better.
Today my mother were her Embracing the Amazing sweater shirt (the sweat shirt I am wearing at the top of this blog except hers is red). There was a therapist that had passed by as we were checking out and it caught her eye. My mom pointed it out and said that it read "Embracing the Amazing". My mom told the therapist that I was on the autism spectrum. I began talking with her and telling her how I was hoping to get more stuff from the website we got this shirt from for Christmas. She replied,"better say that a little louder so your mom hears", as my mother was paying for my appointment. My mother overheard and chimed in. I told her what the therapist said.
As my mother continued to check me out, I told her how I was a proud aspie and that I had seen Dr. Hunter at the office a number of years ago and how much she had helped me. Her automatic response shocked me, but it wasn't unexpected to hear after I thought about it. Her response? "Help you to accept your autism?" I was flabbergasted. I said, "No, she helped me behaviorally, so I could be succeeding like I am today." There are so many things to learn from this situation.
The first thing is, the grass isn't always greener on the other side. In my situation, I don't wish to be on the other side. I do embrace my autism and I don't know what I would be like if I didn't have autism. I don't think I would be as dead set on my career path, I don't think I would have met some people, and I don't think I would be as happy. Yes, on some days autism can be a challenge and there are some days where I hate it, but I love it more days then I don't. I think this therapist was so used to seeing all these people who just hate their autism and don't want to embrace it. All I needed was some help socially and to manage my anxiety.
Another thing I learned was that making simple conversation with someone can change the course of your whole day. Simply holding this conversation with a complete stranger and sharing my story opened someone else's eyes. Simply recognizing that someone else is there sometimes can make all the difference. I think that being friendly towards this therapist, made her happy because I was showing that I cared about her, (in my own way), and she showed me that even though I was merely a stranger, she cared about me. I was also able to spread awareness that not everyone with autism is the same.
I think there are many more things that I could learn from this situation, but it was the sweetest conversation ever. It felt amazing to open someone's eyes who truly cared. It's amazing what a few words can do!
Dickinson Mental Health Charity Ball
Monday, December 16, 2013
Sunday, December 1, 2013
Are you my friend?
Last weekend, I was getting ready to head home for my Thanksgiving break. My parents typically come up to get me from school which is an hour and a half away. They take me back on monday for my afternoon classes then. Last weekend I decided to stay on campus because it would only be two days until I was home. Sometimes on occasion, I do get rides home from friends. This week, was on of those times that I needed one. For one the weather was going to be bad and for another reason, at some point my parents had to pick my grandmother up.
It was even five minutes after I had finally decided how I was getting home that an acquaintance decided to ask me for a ride home. I have class until 9:30 on Tuesday nights and we had to be out of the Dorm by 10 the next morning. This being the case, my father was going to pick me up at 8:30 on Wednesday morning. This also caused a major weather threat for our trip home.
Quick note: Sunday night I was rushing to write a five page in the library with a friend.
I woke up Monday morning, ready to conquer my day. The friend that helped me on my paper Sunday night, decided to meet up for breakfast and help me with my paper again. We decided to then head over to the main academic building to get work done and meet with our professors during their office hours. I had a few issues to clear up with Disability Services and I needed to touch base with my professor about my paper. I took care of the disability accommodations issues with some difficulty which already added to my overwhelming day of finishing school work up before break.
I finally met with my psychology professors and ended up sobbing to her to read my paper and give me advice on how to right the paper. I was completely lost. I took care of that, met up with my friend and got a text telling me that my classes were cancelled for Tuesday because of the weather. After busting my butt all morning and receiving that text, i wasn't a happy camper. I gave my dad a call to tell him that I was done with classes for the week and could be picked up anytime. He then told me he was in Pittsburgh for the day!!! I LOST it in the middle of the cafe. Thank goodness I had a bunch of friends surrounding me.
I finally headed home at 9:30 monday night because that was the earliest I could get home due to rides.
Tonight I got a text from the same friend wanting a ride home last week to take her back to school this week. A minute later, I got another text telling me she needed to know right away. No more than 10 minutes later, I find out I have a missed call from her. I asked my dad what I should do because I had already received the text. I needed to think about it and talk it over with my parents. Another two minutes goes by and I get a call from an "unknown number", I guess they don't call them restricted anymore. Fifteen minutes later, I get another two or three texts and they just keep coming. I finally get in my house after picking a friend up that I am having over for dinner and she calls again. Then more texts. I didn't know what to do. This person I can hardly call my friend, is pestering me for a ride to school tomorrow when her parents can take her today. My family has their own schedule.
Now to the point of this blog. This whole scenario begs the question of what a true friend is. Yes, this friend from school is someone who I see from time to time. She is someone who I am Facebook friends with. Sometimes, on occasion we text each other too, but that is rare. My parents love her too, other than the face that she is ALWAYS homesick. Is she my friend though? Is she just someone who I know?
Who are your real friends? We all have our friends and then we have our Facebook friends and I think sometimes they clash. Sometimes I don't think there is a clear black and white line which I know is hard to understand sometimes. For the longest time I had trouble with this and i still do, but I am working on it. I almost feel as if this scenario was put here from me to teach me that things aren't black and white.
I truly do love this person, but I'm not sure what it really means to be a friend yet. The only thing we do is car pool and her family has never offered me a ride until tonight. They suggested that they would take me home next weekend, but I don't want to go home next weekend. I want next weekend to focus and study for my finals in my dorm with little distraction. I think friends and acquaintances are both good, but sometimes lines aren't black and white and sometimes you need to help each other out. Who are your true friends?
It was even five minutes after I had finally decided how I was getting home that an acquaintance decided to ask me for a ride home. I have class until 9:30 on Tuesday nights and we had to be out of the Dorm by 10 the next morning. This being the case, my father was going to pick me up at 8:30 on Wednesday morning. This also caused a major weather threat for our trip home.
Quick note: Sunday night I was rushing to write a five page in the library with a friend.
I woke up Monday morning, ready to conquer my day. The friend that helped me on my paper Sunday night, decided to meet up for breakfast and help me with my paper again. We decided to then head over to the main academic building to get work done and meet with our professors during their office hours. I had a few issues to clear up with Disability Services and I needed to touch base with my professor about my paper. I took care of the disability accommodations issues with some difficulty which already added to my overwhelming day of finishing school work up before break.
I finally met with my psychology professors and ended up sobbing to her to read my paper and give me advice on how to right the paper. I was completely lost. I took care of that, met up with my friend and got a text telling me that my classes were cancelled for Tuesday because of the weather. After busting my butt all morning and receiving that text, i wasn't a happy camper. I gave my dad a call to tell him that I was done with classes for the week and could be picked up anytime. He then told me he was in Pittsburgh for the day!!! I LOST it in the middle of the cafe. Thank goodness I had a bunch of friends surrounding me.
I finally headed home at 9:30 monday night because that was the earliest I could get home due to rides.
Tonight I got a text from the same friend wanting a ride home last week to take her back to school this week. A minute later, I got another text telling me she needed to know right away. No more than 10 minutes later, I find out I have a missed call from her. I asked my dad what I should do because I had already received the text. I needed to think about it and talk it over with my parents. Another two minutes goes by and I get a call from an "unknown number", I guess they don't call them restricted anymore. Fifteen minutes later, I get another two or three texts and they just keep coming. I finally get in my house after picking a friend up that I am having over for dinner and she calls again. Then more texts. I didn't know what to do. This person I can hardly call my friend, is pestering me for a ride to school tomorrow when her parents can take her today. My family has their own schedule.
Now to the point of this blog. This whole scenario begs the question of what a true friend is. Yes, this friend from school is someone who I see from time to time. She is someone who I am Facebook friends with. Sometimes, on occasion we text each other too, but that is rare. My parents love her too, other than the face that she is ALWAYS homesick. Is she my friend though? Is she just someone who I know?
Who are your real friends? We all have our friends and then we have our Facebook friends and I think sometimes they clash. Sometimes I don't think there is a clear black and white line which I know is hard to understand sometimes. For the longest time I had trouble with this and i still do, but I am working on it. I almost feel as if this scenario was put here from me to teach me that things aren't black and white.
I truly do love this person, but I'm not sure what it really means to be a friend yet. The only thing we do is car pool and her family has never offered me a ride until tonight. They suggested that they would take me home next weekend, but I don't want to go home next weekend. I want next weekend to focus and study for my finals in my dorm with little distraction. I think friends and acquaintances are both good, but sometimes lines aren't black and white and sometimes you need to help each other out. Who are your true friends?
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