Hi, y'all - new to WrongPlanet

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Hi, I just joined today; this is my first post. I first learned of AS when ABC news ran a feature on it. They showed kids who had it and acted like the difference between them and "normal" people was obvious. I couldn't see it! Also, some of the traits they mentioned sounded a lot like me. So, I went to library to do some research (this was before I had a computer), and came to the conclusion that I was probably on the spectrum. However, I also came to the conclusion that, at least in the higher functioning end of the spectrum, this was another attempt by society to label anyone who is the least bit eccentric as having a "disorder" that needs to be treated so that we can all be happy smiling people with no minds of our own like in some of the science fiction I've read. I came to terms with being different from everyone else a long time ago and I like who I am. I was also scared to get diagnosed because all the books I read said AS is a form of autism and I was afraid that people would treat me like a "ret*d" (I hate that word, but that's another post. ) However, for a little over a year I've been working at an online high school and one of the teachers has a brother with AS. I really get along well with this teacher, and I began to wonder if he was able to understand me better since his brother is an Aspie. Once I got a computer, I started to do more research online, and I found Wrong Planet. This site convinced me that I am an Aspie. Everything here just resonates with my personality and my feelings -- even the name of the site! (My high school friends and classmates used to call me "the Vulcan" and "Mrs. Spock". I took it as a compliment. ) I still do not want a diagnosis. I know from past experience with my rheumatism (I'm 35 and have rheumatoid arthritis) that once people find out you have a condition, they tend to make assumptions about what you can't do and won't give you the opportunity to show them what you can do. Also, I am of the firm opinion that we Aspies do not need to be "fixed". Just because we think and act differently from NTs does not mean we are in any way inferior. Yes, it behooves us to work on our social skills so that we can interact better with NTs, but there needs to be more understanding and better communication on both sides.

Thanks to Alex for starting this site and giving us a place where we can support each other. It's such a comfort just to know there are other people out there like me.

Pleased to meet you CelticRose.

Welcome to Wrongplanet

Nice to meet you, CelticRose!

I know what you mean about the disorder assumptions thing, I'm 16 and I have seronegative spondylarthropathy (basically rheumatoid arthritis without RF) as a complication of Crohn's disease (meaning I can't eat very many foods and get sick a lot). I swim competitively, and I used to be pretty slow compared to everyone else. Everyone used to think that I just wasn't working hard because my endurance was always awful. But it turns out I was anemic because intestinal inflammation was preventing my body from absorbing iron properly. I stuck with swimming for 5 years undiagnosed, and my coaches (and me) thought I was just lazy. After a diagnosis, everyone is almost too nice. I haven't found a medicine other than prednisone that helps with the joint pain, but if I do, I hope I can swim in college. After taking 3 months off from swimming while taking iron pills, I came back to swimming nearly as fast as I was before.

Well, there's my life's story

Again, nice to meet you!

You should have a good time here.

Hi CelticRose, Welcome to WP

Nice to meet you, CelticRose.

Welcome CelticRose to WP.

Nice to meet y'all too. Thanks for all the welcomes.

Welcome to WP!

Welcome to Wrong Planet!

I'm sure you'll have a good time here with us

To WrongPlanet!! !

welcome