A Great Enemy

   Well sense this is my first blog post I will try to not ramble on. As someone with Asperger's I can tell you how hard change can be. Obviously, change is not easy for anybody. But it hits an Aspie (little nickname for those diagnosed with Asperger's) even harder. It can literally stop us in our tracks. We won't go to work, we won't talk to friends, we can't enjoy anything, etc etc. I could go on and on about this but I am trying to get at something else.
  Because change is so difficult for an Aspie, their emotions can become intensified greatly. Usually these emotions include anger, frustration, depression and perhaps a sense of awkwardness. I can say from personal experience that I have became quite angry and irritable towards authority figures or even family members. I admit I have lashed out quite harshly towards people. My point is this. Because of our intensified emotions, many people take that for face value. An Aspie's opinion or feeling about a particular change will be somewhat diminished. "Oh they just can't take change so it's natural that they are so irate." This makes an Aspie feel as if their words mean nothing. That their views are brushed aside as a result of their condition rather than being valid. Think of the stereotypical crazy guy in a horror flick that nobody listens to BECAUSE he's crazy (or so he's labeled).
  I often feel as if my opinions do not matter. That how I am feeling is a result of me being so upset rather than being a valid point. This is a HUGE ego buster. It is a great enemy. My confidence, my self-esteem have taken a blow because of this. It is almost instilled in me that my voice lacks any validity. That nobody takes me seriously. That my complaints about a boss or a co-worker or about anything lack any coherent sense. Now thankfully I have alot of support in my life. God, family members, friends; they've all been there for me. But many other Aspies are not nearly so lucky. And my heart goes out to them.
  So what is the solution? Awareness. And how do you spread awareness? Well this blog is a good start. To the people who may be reading this and feel the same way. I say voice your opinion when something changes in your life. Don't be quiet. Voice it louder. Voice it harder. Make it known that this is HOW you feel and you are as valid as the next person!