Hello all,
Although I have read threads here and there, not often, I finally decided to join up and post a hello. I am 31 years of age and am an aspie. While I love to be social, love having fun, going out and chatting with people, getting over the hump to do it is incredibly hard. Even when i join a group to meet people of similar interest, and go to an event, over the first hump, i still find myself ackward and in the corner.
I was diagnosed as a 4-5 year old, but was not told of the diagnosis until my mother let it slip when I was 28 years old. I am 31 now, going on 32 soon, unmarried and wondering if i ever will be settled down, with a wonderful wife and the standard 2.5 kids.
I sometimes wonder if not being told of my diagnosis was a blessing. Before I thought I was like everyone else, now the feelings I have when i say am approaching a social situation can be part of the fact i have aspergers. Case and point, I was on a date tonight, went to the bar, drank two drinks and talked for 2 hours, She was tired from working til 10pm and I accompanied her to her car. I didn't kiss her or even try to (always have had problems with that), but she seemed if only for a moment to be taken back by the fact that i didn't make any move to do so. But i figured if we did that whole hand holding thing, that first touch and the butterflies and that crap, maybe the kiss would be the outcome, but at the bar sitting across from eachother that didn't happpen so neither did the next step. I didn't see any cues saying that she wanted anything, but i could have missed something. But then again i never go in for the first kiss i am usually forced into it, but of course with no regrets. Maybe there was no sign there, but as soon as I got home, and i got home before she did, I made sure to text her, that I jad fun and was interested in doing something some evening this week, and she responded that she too enjoyed it and was free sun mon and tue. I told her to put me down for monday and details would eventually follow.
That was a long case and point, but it is relevant to now, so it all there, background info, was dumped last weekend, and i immediately got on top of things and have been using okcupid. This girl is younger and suprisingly works with low functioning AS teenagers as a job. Although i don't mention being an aspie to everyone, i figured i might as well, this was done via message on the site itself and well before tonight. Of course she knows very little about Aspergers, I bet she is looking it up right now (or not).
Anyway, i will say this, I wouldn't trade my difference for the world. I invent things, like my pathway system that you never have to shovel in the winter, just brush off with a broom after snow. My prototype is working as expected, and this winter is BAD. It is a blessing in disguise, I think completely differently and come up with creative solutions to problems that nobody else comes up with, now just need an employer to notice that. I do work M-F 8am-3pm, in a hospital in Boston. Although I may be ackward at times, I do a good job.
I heard that the unemployment rate for Aspergers individuals is very high. I do okay, wish they would let me use my brain in my job function, but a job is a job is a job.
Thats my introduction.. I look forward to you welcoming me.
30 Jan 2011, 2:02 am
