Hang on in there!

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I don't want to seem thoughtless and not appreciative of other people on here who are struggling, but I wanted to share the news the news that I have just been offered a new job. The reason for posting is to say, "Hang on in there!". I know that in many ways I am a very lucky man, but there are jobs out there for people on the spectrum like myself. I' m not especially good at expressing these kinds of emotions, so forgive me if this seems a bit clumsy.

I have to be careful about what I write as I lodged a formal grievance against my old Manager who made me redundant after a long campaign of bullying and discrimination and there is a real possibility that it will go to an Industrial Tribunal. I cannot really go into details, but suffice to say that my Asperger's was the 'reason' for the discrimination and my Trade Union is supporting me to the hilt.

At my age it is a massive body blow to lose full time employment, especially as for the first time ever I had been very open about my diagnosis and my 'way of being' with them from the outset, believing the Equality Awareness and inclusive hype and awards for being 'Investors in People'. Apparently they weren't investors in people like me!

My partner is an amazing woman - she has to be to stay with me for so long despite me being hard to live with - so she asked if I had a choice, what would I do. I had no hesitation in replying that I would love to go back into the Charity/Voluntary Community Sector and work for an Autism based charity. There is a national organisation that is based not far from where I live so I looked on their website vacancies page and lo and behold there was a job I was perfectly qualified for. I applied and after an interview on Wednesday morning the Director rang and offered me the job. There is an old adage that says, 'Sometimes things have to fall apart to fall into place!' I usually rely on science for my explanations, but so many people have said it was 'meant to be' I think that maybe, just maybe, this is the case.

The thought of being able to work full time towards autism awareness and hopefully acceptance is amazing but I genuinely believe that a great number of people who belong to this website would have stood a good chance of getting the job I got. I guess I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time, but there is the chance that many more of us can be as lucky as I was. I know I got the job on my own merit, but I had to risk the possibility of rejection. I have support at home but I appreciate that not everybody does, so use these boards and try and use the advice and sense of community to stay positive and keep applying for jobs.

I hope you are as lucky as I am and find a job of your dreams too. Hang on in there everybody

I'm very happy for you. (it seems like we've seen a few of these good news posts recently, that's awesome.)

Best of luck in your new role, and I'm envious you get to contribute in your work hours to such a good cause.

I like it when people convey Optimism here. That's what is needed: experiences in attaining one's goals.

Too many people here believe Success is elusive--that it is a futile goal to aspire to.

That's wonderful news to hear. I know I need the encouragement right now, because I'm starting to apply for work myself. I'm hoping the process won't take too long.

More Autistics working professionally for Autism awareness is what is desperately needed. Congratulations.

I'm glad that has worked out for you after your unpleasant experience with your former employer. All I can add to what you have written is that I have dealt from the other side of the fence, assisting managements (on the O,H&S side) dealing with discrimination cases. Most managements do the right thing and try to rectify any wrongs that occur in the workplace since it is in their own interest to retain good workers. Discrimination most often occurs out of ignorance and misunderstanding. It is important that where workers feel they are being discriminated against, to take the matter to their immediate supervisor for a solution. If that doesn't work they should keep going up the chain of management until some satisfactory outcome is achieved. That's what managements are for.

Thanks for the best wishes everybody, You are all very kind.

I am so excited about this opportunity and they are currently processing my paperwork and getting the appropriate clearances - I will often come into contact with service users and they obviously have to be careful. I hope to be able to bring some of my experiences to the table and help shape the move from autism awareness towards autism acceptance.

I am looking hard at the grievance, my employers have, predictably, not upheld the allegations I made and are obviously hoping I won't pursue the matter to an industrial tribunal. I have to weigh up if having to look over my shoulder at a distressing situation whilst trying to move forward with an organisation whose ethos and aims fit mine perfectly is worth it. I have a very well developed sense of fairness and detest any situation which in unfair, however that hasn't always been a healthy position for me to maintain. Most of my 'meltdowns' have stemmed from this type of situation.

I saw a quote on Pinterest, which I like a lot, which said,

Knowing when to walk away is wisdom,

Being able to is courage,

Walking away with your head held high is dignity.

I can't always claim to have been wise, courageous or dignified, but maybe this is the time?

Some age old wisdom also comes into play here, "Choose your battles." If this one is really not worth fighting, then leave it be.