Hello everyone

[Guest guest]

Jacki,

It was great seeing you again too. I am glad to hear Siobhan will be going into another series of casts. Sorry that the brace is not working out well. Good luck with Siobhans surgery, her and your family will be in our thoughts and prayers. I know I have fought to get Tyler back in a cast but you know how it is, now I am anxious since it has been awhile since he has had to wear one. And he will be having it put on once again in the middle of summer. Oh Well, we are so lucky to be getting a cast at all. Hopefully this will be his last series of casts. He really does look wonderful and we are so blessed. So hopefully this next series will completely straighten him.

,

Thanks for the well wishes. Hope your little angel is doing well. 14 weeks in a cast doesn't seem that long to me. But Tyler has had it changed at all different lengths. I didn't like it when he had it changed in eight weeks, it just didn't seem like he had a lot of time to grow in it. Mehta had said to leave Tyler in the next cast three to four months.

,

We will be getting casted on Wed. the 13th so I am sure we will see each other. It will be great to see you again.

Take Care Everyone, Tawney

jabostock <jabostock@...> wrote:

Hi TawneyIt was great to meet up again! Siobhan is going into another seriesof casts in August, as the brace is not really supporting her spine the way the casts do.Great news for Tyler though! All your hard work is really going topay off!Hope to see you all again soon.... (And say Hi to Tony from me!!!)Love Jacki> Hi Everyone,> Like always it has been forever since I posted. So nice to see all the > new people on the group. It was great seeing everyone in Utah. Hope > everyone is doing well. Tyler is going back in a cast July 13th. > Hopefully this will be his last series of casts. I was wondering if > anyone is going to be in Utah at the same time? thanks so much

> for the card. I need to take a couple hours and catch up on all the > posts. Take Care Tawney

Sports Rekindle the Rivalries. Sign up for Fantasy Football

[Guest guest]

Hi Robyn,

Wow, you're off to a running start and you have the right attitude.

Check out the club photo section for some pictures of major

transformations. Quite a few people here have lost 70-100 pounds. When

you posted, I immediately thought of Kai who has six kids and went

from something like 210 to 135 pounds. She's in the " Now THAT'S

Inspiration " folder. And of course you can't miss " Mina's

Transformation Pics. " My jaw literally hit the floor when she posted

those. There are several other women here who have already lost major

weight or are in the process.

One blog that I love is Meg's " I am that girl now. "

http://iamthatgirlnow.blogspot.com/ I believe she started with Weight

Watchers and is now doing BFL. I can't for the life of me remember if

Meg is a member here or if I found her some other way, but she's

dropped a lot of weight and changed her whole life. She posts the most

thought-provoking messages about motivation and mindset and the inner

turmoil associated with weight loss, stuff that stays with me for days

after I read it. It's possible to accomplish some truly amazing things

if you're determined and you have support.

I'm glad you joined us! Keep us posted and let us know if you have any

questions. :-)

On 6/29/05, Robyn <mrsmac6265@...> wrote:

> I am new here and to the challenge. I am 39, I turn 40 come October.

> I weighed in at the begining at 203. I am at 196. 1 week into the

> challenge. I am 5'3 " . I have had 5 children myself but have am the

> mother of 7. I have two grandbabies. I am serious about this and I am

> determined. I hope to find instruction, motivational support and

> inspiration from this group. I took before pictures..BLKKK. SO

> anyway....I jumped on the wagon, here to stay, I am planning for my

> first two challenges. I know where I want to be in my BMI and I have a

> total of 70 lbs I am going to remove. Anyone here imbarked on a

> challenge such as mine? Would love to here your story.

> Removing it,

> Robyn

[Guest guest]

Hi ie. I'll give you some idea of what to expect from treatment.

I can only speak for myself.

Before treatment, the clinic wouldn't go into great detail about

symptoms. I assumed 20% couldn't hack and quit, and 20% felt little or

nothing. Then the day of my first shot they told me that no one feels

absolutely nothing.

For me day one was the worst. First few hours were ok, then flu

symptoms set in for one awful night. But then things got much better

to where now shot night is nothing at all. Interferon doesn't bother

me, it's the Ribavarin that is starting to bother me after two months

of treatment. Hard to sleep, less able to enjoy food, constantly

having to drink water, a feeling of embalming fluid running through my

veins, etc.

One thing that helps is meeting friends. It takes my mind off the

treatment. It is harder to enjoy things in general, but for some

reason meeting people helps more than just enjoying regular hobbies.

Another thing that seems true for me is that being a slender person,

and possibly taking a Riba dose that's too high for my weight, I feel

it helps to make myself exercise and sweat to help eliminate the Riba.

Since my liver is doing better (I cleared the virus at week 4,

genotype 1b), I'm able to get more use out of my muscles, though the

Riba makes me fatigued and anemic.

Also, be prepared to let yourself just bide away the time, without

challenging yourself to do anything major. It's probably a good time

to hybernate as much as possible.

Hope this helps.

Pete

'We get by with a little help from our friends.'

[Guest guest]

Peggy, welcome back. So good to see your smiling face again.

Glad you had such a terrific trip.

You wrote:

My biggest problem is the spasms. I cannot see a pattern at all.

I don't have spasms as bad or often as you but I have never

been able to find a pattern either. I can't associate it with any

food or drink, nor to stress as some do. I thought I was the

only one.

Hugs

Maggie

[Guest guest]

On 9/8/2005 at 3:43:37 P.M. Central Standard Time you wrote:

Whoops, Maggie meant Kathie, not Peggy

I sure did . Thanks Peggy for correcting the old brain.

M

[Guest guest]

Whoops, Maggie meant Kathie, not Peggy. Welcome home Kathie -- I bet the

cruise was beautiful. I wondered where you had wandered off to.

Peggy

>

>

> My biggest problem is the spasms. I

> cannot see a pattern at all.

>

> I don't have spasms as bad or often as you but I have never

> been able to find a pattern either. I can't associate it with any

> food or drink, nor to stress as some do. I thought I was the

> only one.

>

> Hugs

> Maggie

[Guest guest]

Kathie,

It's great to hear about your cruise, Kathie. I'm so glad your A was not a huge issue for you on your trip. It's so hard when you feel apart from most other people in any way. Even though I never suffered from achalasia, I understand almost as well, how not being able to eat as other people feels especially in a social situation.

I hope things continue to go well for you, and I hope the spasms occur with less frequency or at least as well as you can deal with.

Jan from Northern KY

[Guest guest]

> My biggest problem is the spasms. I

> cannot see a pattern at all. I

I want to " pipe in " here about post-surgical spasms as well, knowing the risk

that Pepto Debbie will soon be splashing pepto pink typeface before our

eyes!

My spasms started at the beginning of my swallowing symptoms, quite

intensely and then dissipated to almost none by the time I had my surgery --

just an occasional twinge or spasm at odd moments.

My surgeon never mentioned spasms, but I knew I might have them again

after surgery because of the great information on this site. Had I not known

about the possibility and the usual course, I would have been very frightened

and discouraged in the early recovery phase.

During the first three days, spasms were frequent, intense and intractable. I

would feel nauseous, faint and sweaty. By the end of the second week, they

were more intermittent and less overwhelming and seemed to respond to

sucking on popsicles and heating pads.

By the end of the third week, they were nearly gone. Every once in a while, I

will get a glimmer of a spasm coming on, but now, about 4 1/2 weeks out, they

seem to be about finished.

Another thing I noticed -- if I was having an emotional reaction, even (and

especially) when I wasn't too aware I was having the reaction, a spasm would

tend to come on. If I acknowledge the feeling and alter my behavior to deal

with it, the spasm will abate faster. Now that I am " listening to my spasms "

they

seem to be less intense and less frequent. I am not saying they are in my

head, mind you, just that I can use the information of the spasm as kind fo a

guidance system.

That's my two cents.

Peggy

[Guest guest]

But young at heart!

>

>

> Whoops, Maggie meant Kathie, not Peggy

>

> I sure did . Thanks Peggy for correcting the old brain.

>

> M

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathie,

Wow, long

time no post! J Glad to see you back!

I can’t

believe its already been 6 months for your surgery. That is awesome.

I just have

one comment about your email – you said that you didn’t have to call

attention to yourself while eating, etc. You shouldn’t feel silly explaining

yourself to anyone about why you are eating so little. I simply use the “I

have a swallowing problem” and people generally don’t need to know

any more. If they do ask, I happily explain a bit about whats up. You don’t

need to “hide” anything! J (You never know what they’re

really thinking about you going to the bathroom, etc J )

I am so

thrilled to hear that your swallowing is going pretty good. Sorry to hear

about your spasms, I sure hope they continue to lessen as the weeks/months go

by. Generally they go down a little more by now, but each of us is different as

you well know!

Love ya lots,

in BC

From:

achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of zekenoahme

Sent: September 8, 2005 9:12 AM

achalasia

Subject: Hello

Everyone

Just wanted to pipe in ... I

can't believe it, but on September 16,

it will be 6 months since my Myotomy and Toupet

Wrap. Life is so

much better, and I am very grateful for my

surgeon, my family, and

especially for my friends here in the group.

Your support and help

before my decision and kindness and assistance

after, have been

fabulous. Thank you.

Mostly, the eating process is good. I still

cut things VERY small

and chew everything to a pulp. When I sit

down to eat, I divide the

dish into 3rds and eat 1 third and pack the rest

to come home. I was

always a fast eater, now it takes me as long to

eat the third as

everyone else to eat their meal. I do find,

when I hurry or take too

big of a bite, there is stickage! That

forces me to regurge and

think about slowing down! My biggest problem

is the spasms. I

cannot see a pattern at all. I can go a week

or the longest is 10

days then suddenly, the severe pain in my chest,

radiating thru my

body and up both shoulder blades and both

jaws! They are VERY

intense. They are lessening in the time the

go on ... used to last

almost 2 hours, now about an hour. Every

once in a while .. 2 times

a day. I choose not to take any medicines as

a preventative because

they are so unpredictable. Personally I

would not have wanted to

take medicines every day during the week or 10

days they do not

appear. I realize that is a personal

choice. I am learning to live

with them, and I do believe they are occuring

somewhat less than

before.

I just came off a beautiful Alaska Cruise.

This was my first time

that the food on the cruise was NOT the primary

attraction. Thru the

entire week, I only had to excuse myself 4 times

from the table to

regurge, and 2 spasms. I thought that was

pretty good. Believe it

or not, this was a work related cruise where I had

to share a

stateroom with someone I never met. I was so

proud of myself, I told

absolutely NO ONE about my problem. The

first 2 days, people would

ask why I was eating so little ... I said I had

ice cream earlier, or

something like that ... after 2 days they quit

asking. I ALMOST felt

normal and did not call too much attention to

myself. It was great!!!

Enough about me. I have been catching up on

the posts ... lots of

people going in for tests and surgery ... hope

everyone is doing

great! I wish you all well and will keep you

in my prayers. Again,

we have a GREAT A family here. Thank you.

Kathie in Pittsburgh

[Guest guest]

Hello Rob and ...

Usually I do not hesitate to explain the problem to people, but this

was a totally different situation.

I was with a group of 20 strangers that I will never see again. I

guess I just wanted to be NORMAL with this people. Although I am

VERY friendly and open, I just did not want to be the topic of

discussion with these ladies. Perhaps it was silly, but I really

wanted a week of not talking about it!

, you are quite lucky if people let it drop after such a short

explanation. I find people either know someone with Acid Reflux that

they are sure they are diagnosing for me, offer many remedies that

they just know will help, or want to go into great detail over dinner

and then, I feel, treat me differently. Maybe it is all in my mind,

but I needed to prove to myself that I could take a week off. I am

not ashamed of the disease, I just hate regurging to be discussed

with strangers over dinner ... (and that is mostly where I sat and

talked with these people ... you could not do it during the seminars

or meetings).

I know this is with me for the rest of my life. I just hate people

feeling sorry for me. I am the caretaker ... I am not suppossed to

have people taking care of me. Life could be so much worse (I could

live in Mississippi or Louisiana), so the week off was refreshing.

Thanks for the input.

Kathie in Pittsburgh

> > Hi Kathie,

you said that you didn't have to call attention to yourself while

eating, etc. You shouldn't feel silly explaining yourself to anyone

about why you are eating so little. I simply use the " I have a

swallowing problem " and people generally don't need to know any

more. If they do ask, I happily explain a bit about whats up. You

don't need to " hide " anything!

>

> I agree. When I was at my worst - everyone new about my problem -

> there is no need to be embarrassed because its not anything that

you can avoid. I still tell people today what happened to me.

> _____

[Guest guest]

Hi Kathie,

I’m

totally glad to hear that you’re not ashamed or other about having

achalasia! You are one of the “lucky” ones that God gave this to! J He knew you could handle it!!

I understand that

you wanted a week “off” of A. That’s awesome. I hope you

get more weeks like that, and the more on a cruise ship, the better!!!

Love and

Hugs,

From:

achalasia [mailto:achalasia ] On Behalf Of zekenoahme

Sent: September 9, 2005 1:56 PM

achalasia

Subject: Re: Hello

Everyone

Hello Rob and ...

Usually I do not hesitate to explain the problem

to people, but this

was a totally different situation.

I was with a group of 20 strangers that I will

never see again. I

guess I just wanted to be NORMAL with this people. Although I am

VERY friendly and open, I just did not want to be

the topic of

discussion with these ladies. Perhaps it was

silly, but I really

wanted a week of not talking about it!

, you are quite lucky if people let it drop

after such a short

explanation. I find people either know

someone with Acid Reflux that

they are sure they are diagnosing for me, offer

many remedies that

they just know will help, or want to go into great

detail over dinner

and then, I feel, treat me differently.

Maybe it is all in my mind,

but I needed to prove to myself that I could take

a week off. I am

not ashamed of the disease, I just hate regurging

to be discussed

with strangers over dinner ... (and that is mostly

where I sat and

talked with these people ... you could not do it

during the seminars

or meetings).

I know this is with me for the rest of my

life. I just hate people

feeling sorry for me. I am the caretaker ...

I am not suppossed to

have people taking care of me. Life could be

so much worse (I could

live in Mississippi

or Louisiana),

so the week off was refreshing.

Thanks for the input.

Kathie in Pittsburgh

> > Hi Kathie,

you said that you didn't have to call

attention to yourself while

eating, etc. You shouldn't feel silly

explaining yourself to anyone

about why you are eating so little. I simply

use the " I have a

swallowing problem " and people generally

don't need to know any

more. If they do ask, I happily explain a

bit about whats up. You

don't need to " hide " anything!

>

> I agree. When I was at my worst -

everyone new about my problem -

> there is no need to be embarrassed because

its not anything that

you can avoid. I still tell people today

what happened to me.

> _____

[Guest guest]

Hi there! I do know exactly what you mean. I got really tired of that

too, I found my inlaws were the worst...they really thought it was in

my head, or something I had done. It seemed everyone had a cure, or

thought it was just bad heartburn. I actually ended up not speaking

to my best friend for a couple of years because she was so offended I

would not try a certain type of expensive holistic healing thing.

Take care, Janet.

> > > Hi Kathie,

> you said that you didn't have to call attention to yourself

while

> eating, etc. You shouldn't feel silly explaining yourself to

anyone

> about why you are eating so little. I simply use the " I have a

> swallowing problem " and people generally don't need to know any

> more. If they do ask, I happily explain a bit about whats up. You

> don't need to " hide " anything!

>

> >

> > I agree. When I was at my worst - everyone new about my problem -

> > there is no need to be embarrassed because its not anything that

> you can avoid. I still tell people today what happened to me.

> > _____

[Guest guest]

Kitty,

Yes. I have experienced all my life what you just mentioned.

We are disadvantaged but also ADVANTAGED in what we are.

My problem is that I am swimming in a sea of intellectual mediocrity.

My sister who is a veterinary surgeon is very educated but still not like me.

I hate the blank stares, I hate the subject changes, I hate the arogance and just

plain hate the mediocrity.

My ex wife now calls me a "basket case", my parents and relatives whisper about me,

some even talk slower to me like I've got the mind of a six year old.

Unfortunately for me I have turned this into bitterness and because I am a man of

substantial physical attributes, I find myself battling just to not rip their heads off.

Shaun.catgrrl522 <catgrrl522@...> wrote:

I haven't posted here in a while, I've been really busy. I hope you all are well. Some of you who remember me might remember I was self-diagnosed with AS. A couple of days ago I finally got my official diagnosis, and have been trying to think how I feel about it. Mostly I feel just the same as I always have, but also vindicated towards all the people in my life who've said I was "imagining things," I just needed to "make an effort," I was "too smart" to be acting that way!, I shouldn't be so "shy," I shouldn't "hide behind a book," I was just "stubborn," "acting out," "seeking attention," "spoiled," "manipulative," it's "all in your head" and there's "really nothing wrong with you!" Well, they were right on the last one. There is nothing "wrong" with me. I just have Asperger's Syndrome. There's a REASON I do all those things

you don't understand.So, I am mostly feeling good right now. Anyone else have similar feelings after being diagnosed?Kitty__________________________________________________

[Guest guest]

Hi Kitty,

I am glad you feel vindicated.

I had read an article about AS and thought to myself " Hey, that

sounds like me. " So I brought it to my counslor and then " got honest "

with her about many of the things I wasn't telling her. I was

diagnosed and then I thought, " I KNEW it. "

For me it now means that I can be who I was born to be WITHOUT GUILT

because that was the way I was made. It also means that if somebody

tells me I am being socially inept, etc., I now see it as a

compliment because I am behaving true to my God-given nature.

Also I can just point to the diagnosis and say " This describes me.

Read it and you'll understand me better and how to relate to me too.

And if you CAN'T underdstand, then get lost, because we'll never get

along. "

(Sorry. I'm feeling a bit caustic tonight.)

Tom

I haven't posted here in a while, I've been really busy. I hope you

all are well.

Some of you who remember me might remember I was self-diagnosed with

AS. A couple of days ago I finally got my official diagnosis, and have

been trying to think how I feel about it. Mostly I feel just the same

as I always have, but also vindicated towards all the people in my

life who've said I was " imagining things, " I just needed to " make an

effort, " I was " too smart " to be acting that way!, I shouldn't be

so " shy, " I shouldn't " hide behind a book, " I was

just " stubborn, " " acting out, " " seeking

attention, " " spoiled, " " manipulative, " it's " all in your head " and

there's " really nothing wrong with you! " Well, they were right on the

last one. There is nothing " wrong " with me. I just have Asperger's

Syndrome. There's a REASON I do all those things you don't understand.

So, I am mostly feeling good right now. Anyone else have similar

feelings after being diagnosed?

Kitty

[Guest guest]

Shaun,

You wrote:

" I hate the subject changes. "

I'm glad to hear it. It seems there are at least two of us that seem

to see just about 95% of the population as having an extreme form of

attention defecit disorder.

And for those of you who have ADD, this was not meant as an insult.

No offense was intended. The point is that some people seem to feel

their is something going WRONG in a conversation if you stay on the

same subject for more than 30 seconds, and the only way I can

describe it is by using the ADD label.

Again, soory. No offense was intended.

Personally, I think the reason non-Aspies change subjects so much is

because they change subjects just before their knowledge of the

subject wears out so as not to seem stupid.

Tom

[Guest guest]

Hi Kitty and welcome back.

I have an appointment on Wednesday to find out if I have AS or not -

at moment am dreading it though. No idea what to excpect - someone

I've never met and place I haven't been to before :-(

> I haven't posted here in a while, I've been really busy. I hope you

all

> are well.

>

> Some of you who remember me might remember I was self-diagnosed

with

> AS. A couple of days ago I finally got my official diagnosis, and

have

> been trying to think how I feel about it. Mostly I feel just the

same

> as I always have, but also vindicated towards all the people in my

life

> who've said I was " imagining things, " I just needed to " make an

> effort, " I was " too smart " to be acting that way!, I shouldn't be

> so " shy, " I shouldn't " hide behind a book, " I was

> just " stubborn, " " acting out, " " seeking

> attention, " " spoiled, " " manipulative, " it's " all in your head " and

> there's " really nothing wrong with you! " Well, they were right on

the

> last one. There is nothing " wrong " with me. I just have Asperger's

> Syndrome. There's a REASON I do all those things you don't

understand.

>

> So, I am mostly feeling good right now. Anyone else have similar

> feelings after being diagnosed?

>

> Kitty

[Guest guest]

Hi Kitty and welcome back.

I have an appointment on Wednesday to find out if I have AS or not -

at moment am dreading it though. No idea what to excpect - someone

I've never met and place I haven't been to before :-(

> I haven't posted here in a while, I've been really busy. I hope you

all

> are well.

>

> Some of you who remember me might remember I was self-diagnosed

with

> AS. A couple of days ago I finally got my official diagnosis, and

have

> been trying to think how I feel about it. Mostly I feel just the

same

> as I always have, but also vindicated towards all the people in my

life

> who've said I was " imagining things, " I just needed to " make an

> effort, " I was " too smart " to be acting that way!, I shouldn't be

> so " shy, " I shouldn't " hide behind a book, " I was

> just " stubborn, " " acting out, " " seeking

> attention, " " spoiled, " " manipulative, " it's " all in your head " and

> there's " really nothing wrong with you! " Well, they were right on

the

> last one. There is nothing " wrong " with me. I just have Asperger's

> Syndrome. There's a REASON I do all those things you don't

understand.

>

> So, I am mostly feeling good right now. Anyone else have similar

> feelings after being diagnosed?

>

> Kitty

[Guest guest]

" ...and the only way I can describe it is by using the ADD label. "

What about soundbites? buzz words?

I think it is like a Western Society thing - quick fixes - like 30

second ad's - instant gratification, otherwise they think it is not

worth it - people needing constant stimulation, instead of just

sitting and thinking - texts, messaging, mobile phones etc.

Often in RL conversation I get the impression non-Aspies rarely want

to go deep into things. They say thier piece and then I think they

excpect some rote response - one of which I never get right - they

seem totally unprepared for someone like me infront of them asking

them questions :-) or wanting to delve further into the matter -

they've usually moved on to what to cook for tea or the latest

fashion - (sigh).

As I've said many times before - I much prefer writing as a form of

communication - I can take my time over a letter - now email :-) and

the other person probably takes it in more than they would if the

conversation was verbal.

These boards are quite good for getting

deeper into conversation too - a subject/conversation is started and

many add their opinions/thoughts on the matter and things rapidly get

quite deep and intense - it truely is great :-)

Strangest thing is peoples re-actions to my brother and my

conversations together - we can really debate with one another when

we get going :-) but people observing our conversations seem to think

we are argueing when we are not - we really enjoy a good heated

debate and neither of us get upset and quite often agree with some of

the others points, but not all of course :-)

>

> " I hate the subject changes. "

>

> I'm glad to hear it. It seems there are at least two of us that

seem

> to see just about 95% of the population as having an extreme form

of

> attention defecit disorder.

>

> And for those of you who have ADD, this was not meant as an insult.

> No offense was intended. The point is that some people seem to feel

> their is something going WRONG in a conversation if you stay on the

> same subject for more than 30 seconds, and the only way I can

> describe it is by using the ADD label.

>

> Again, soory. No offense was intended.

>

> Personally, I think the reason non-Aspies change subjects so much

is

> because they change subjects just before their knowledge of the

> subject wears out so as not to seem stupid.

>

> Tom

[Guest guest]

" ...and the only way I can describe it is by using the ADD label. "

What about soundbites? buzz words?

I think it is like a Western Society thing - quick fixes - like 30

second ad's - instant gratification, otherwise they think it is not

worth it - people needing constant stimulation, instead of just

sitting and thinking - texts, messaging, mobile phones etc.

Often in RL conversation I get the impression non-Aspies rarely want

to go deep into things. They say thier piece and then I think they

excpect some rote response - one of which I never get right - they

seem totally unprepared for someone like me infront of them asking

them questions :-) or wanting to delve further into the matter -

they've usually moved on to what to cook for tea or the latest

fashion - (sigh).

As I've said many times before - I much prefer writing as a form of

communication - I can take my time over a letter - now email :-) and

the other person probably takes it in more than they would if the

conversation was verbal.

These boards are quite good for getting

deeper into conversation too - a subject/conversation is started and

many add their opinions/thoughts on the matter and things rapidly get

quite deep and intense - it truely is great :-)

Strangest thing is peoples re-actions to my brother and my

conversations together - we can really debate with one another when

we get going :-) but people observing our conversations seem to think

we are argueing when we are not - we really enjoy a good heated

debate and neither of us get upset and quite often agree with some of

the others points, but not all of course :-)

>

> " I hate the subject changes. "

>

> I'm glad to hear it. It seems there are at least two of us that

seem

> to see just about 95% of the population as having an extreme form

of

> attention defecit disorder.

>

> And for those of you who have ADD, this was not meant as an insult.

> No offense was intended. The point is that some people seem to feel

> their is something going WRONG in a conversation if you stay on the

> same subject for more than 30 seconds, and the only way I can

> describe it is by using the ADD label.

>

> Again, soory. No offense was intended.

>

> Personally, I think the reason non-Aspies change subjects so much

is

> because they change subjects just before their knowledge of the

> subject wears out so as not to seem stupid.

>

> Tom

[Guest guest]

Shaun wrote:> My problem is that I am swimming in a sea of intellectual mediocrity.

ROTFL!

Sorry, I know that must be frustrating beyond words, but I just found that sentence so delightfully humorous.

My sympathies.

Inger

[Guest guest]

Shaun wrote:> My problem is that I am swimming in a sea of intellectual mediocrity.

ROTFL!

Sorry, I know that must be frustrating beyond words, but I just found that sentence so delightfully humorous.

My sympathies.

Inger

[Guest guest]

Hey Kitty, welcome back!

I can sure understand your feeling now! I too was doubted by just about

everyone when I first voiced my suspicions of having some form of autism/AS.

Reading your list of misinterpretations below all piled together like that,

I'm really amazed at how judgemental people in general are - especially of

things and persons they have no real understanding of. You are sure not the

only Aspie who has been told similar things. :-(

Glad you got your dx anyway. :-)

Congratulations!

Inger

Hello everyone

I haven't posted here in a while, I've been really busy. I hope you all

are well.

Some of you who remember me might remember I was self-diagnosed with

AS. A couple of days ago I finally got my official diagnosis, and have

been trying to think how I feel about it. Mostly I feel just the same

as I always have, but also vindicated towards all the people in my life

who've said I was " imagining things, " I just needed to " make an

effort, " I was " too smart " to be acting that way!, I shouldn't be

so " shy, " I shouldn't " hide behind a book, " I was

just " stubborn, " " acting out, " " seeking

attention, " " spoiled, " " manipulative, " it's " all in your head " and

there's " really nothing wrong with you! " Well, they were right on the

last one. There is nothing " wrong " with me. I just have Asperger's

Syndrome. There's a REASON I do all those things you don't understand.

So, I am mostly feeling good right now. Anyone else have similar

feelings after being diagnosed?

Kitty

FAM Secret Society is a community based on respect, friendship, support and

acceptance. Everyone is valued.

Don't forget, there are links to other FAM sites on the Links page in the

folder marked " Other FAM Sites. "

[Guest guest]

Hey Kitty, welcome back!

I can sure understand your feeling now! I too was doubted by just about

everyone when I first voiced my suspicions of having some form of autism/AS.

Reading your list of misinterpretations below all piled together like that,

I'm really amazed at how judgemental people in general are - especially of

things and persons they have no real understanding of. You are sure not the

only Aspie who has been told similar things. :-(

Glad you got your dx anyway. :-)

Congratulations!

Inger

Hello everyone

I haven't posted here in a while, I've been really busy. I hope you all

are well.

Some of you who remember me might remember I was self-diagnosed with

AS. A couple of days ago I finally got my official diagnosis, and have

been trying to think how I feel about it. Mostly I feel just the same

as I always have, but also vindicated towards all the people in my life

who've said I was " imagining things, " I just needed to " make an

effort, " I was " too smart " to be acting that way!, I shouldn't be

so " shy, " I shouldn't " hide behind a book, " I was

just " stubborn, " " acting out, " " seeking

attention, " " spoiled, " " manipulative, " it's " all in your head " and

there's " really nothing wrong with you! " Well, they were right on the

last one. There is nothing " wrong " with me. I just have Asperger's

Syndrome. There's a REASON I do all those things you don't understand.

So, I am mostly feeling good right now. Anyone else have similar

feelings after being diagnosed?

Kitty

FAM Secret Society is a community based on respect, friendship, support and

acceptance. Everyone is valued.

Don't forget, there are links to other FAM sites on the Links page in the

folder marked " Other FAM Sites. "

[Guest guest]

Hello Catgrrl522. I'ts unbelievable how many people don't seem to care, especially teachers and one's own parents at times. Being called stupid, manipulative, selfish, seeking attention(I hated when they said that one in particular), and all those things. Believe me when I say I know exactly what it's like to be mislabeled, discarded as waste, rejected from all my peers, and spat upon because of social "Inadequacy". In reality, Aspies see deep down, exactly what goes on with another's body language and tone of voice. In reality Aspies are highly intuitive. In reality, Aspies are more advanced in many areas than the average Neuro-typical. I've, at times wondered what all those nasty teenagers and teachers would feel if I came back and told them in the most polite way possible that I was born different from them because of a social disorder, and more capable of forgiving them now that I don't blame myself for every little blunder I made. I would tell them all how

I am freed from the confusion that made me hate myself. Even if I did that, it would be up to each one of those people to actually listen. I believe some of them would listen and some would not. That's not the point. The point is, I lead my own life after diagnosis. I am what I am. Accept it or get out of my space. One has to wonder though, what impact on society those bullies and the silent, enablers have nowadays. Wouldn't it be reasonable to say over the last 60 years, many have become psychologists, psychiatrists, Diagnosers/labelers? Wouldn't it be safe to say that these people are relatively the same in terms of not standing up for others and/or bullying their way up the corporate chain in many sectors.Isn't it safe to say that Us Aspies have accepted some "Official diagnosis" instead of going after the real causations? Words are no doubt powerful. Hurtful words that mostly emphasize weakness ( in my opinion) are given as parts to the whole of the diagnosis

of an Aspie. Societal conditioning. That's exactly what it is. The world would be alot better of a place if there were no sexists, weak politicians, lobbyists, wars, terrorists, bullies, uncaring teachers, liars, goof-offs etc......... It's so common, the herd mentality. Even if people know about a bully, most of the time ( from my experience) no one will stand up for the one being bullied. They stay silent, unprovoking because they know if they try to get the bully to shut up, theyr'e likely to get attacked by the bully or other bullies. In this way, they are just like the bullies, uncaring and cruel, like watching someone kill another person and not doing something about it, just standing there emotionless as a grave. I've developed some skills to stop bullies from using their words as bullets. I look them square in the eye, raise my hand to indicate that she or he needs to shut up and take every advantage possible to indicate that I did not appreciate his or her

attitude towards me and that they are worthless. Kill or be killed is the one and only way to get at bullies. I'm not saying kill them literally! I just mean bring their ego down to size, where it belongs. If that doesn't happen, sorry! I hate to break the news and be at risk of someone calling me "Anti-social/depraved" etc., but the only way to beat the enemy and not let harm come to one's self is by destroying the enemy's ego. This shouldn't be news to anybody. It's simply survival instinct. Let me make a distinction here. Survival Instinct is totally different from herd instinct. Herd instinct is likened unto tolerance of bad, evil things because keeping a clean-looking business is the best way to get customers. Herd instinct is simply conformity. Survival instinct is simply choosing words and body langauge as weapons against a misguided person's deceptive, fear-invoking. essentially evil, bullying. It works. Have you had experiences similar to what I had in the past?

If so, what were they?, If you don't mind my asking. catgrrl522 <catgrrl522@...> wrote:

I haven't posted here in a while, I've been really busy. I hope you all are well. Some of you who remember me might remember I was self-diagnosed with AS. A couple of days ago I finally got my official diagnosis, and have been trying to think how I feel about it. Mostly I feel just the same as I always have, but also vindicated towards all the people in my life who've said I was "imagining things," I just needed to "make an effort," I was "too smart" to be acting that way!, I shouldn't be so "shy," I shouldn't "hide behind a book," I was just "stubborn," "acting out," "seeking attention," "spoiled," "manipulative," it's "all in your head" and there's "really nothing wrong with you!" Well, they were right on the last one. There is nothing "wrong" with me. I just have Asperger's Syndrome. There's a REASON I do all those things

you don't understand.So, I am mostly feeling good right now. Anyone else have similar feelings after being diagnosed?Kitty__________________________________________________