13 Years On Wrong Planet!

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My Wrong Planet Brothers and Sisters,

On this day in 2006, I sat before a computer in my school’s library. I didn’t fit in very well, had hardly any friends, and wondered why I was often rejected by my peers.

But fate came along and showed me Wrong Planet, this website that I became at the age of sixteen. Now that it is thirteen years since I joined Wrong Planet, I once again am grateful to be a member of this online community that has made me into the human I am today for many reasons that are too many to name.

Now before anyone asks, “Okay Brother Anonymous, how different of a person do you think you would be had you not found Wrong Planet?” I hardly give this question much thought but sometimes I picture myself being overtly insecure with uncontrollable urges to inflict self-harm or taking my feelings out on people like an adolescent.

This leads to an example; the example being of many members of Wrong Planet who believe that they will never be happy just because they are on the spectrum. In my humble opinion, this is not true because if one keeps such pain within, how can negative feelings move you forward in life?

In fact, feeling like a reject should never be viewed at all as a reaction to what we perceive as part of negative feelings. Now before you “ask” me, “Brother Anonymous, I am often rejected by people who believe that they know what’s best for me, so what should I do to cope with these feelings?” Even though there are many examples of how you can allow positive feelings to overtake your negative ones, you may consider any of these ways as a means of coping. I like many have read accounts on Wrong Planet written by members who take on activities that even though it takes time getting used to, activities can help create positivity in you.

Many posts written by members have stated that being on the spectrum is nothing more than an obstruction in the path of life. If you believe in such concepts, then consider the opposite message and that message is called hope.

If you believe that you will never find happiness in the world just because you are on the spectrum, let hope come to you by all means possible. Just let go of negative feelings and see what hope can do for you. Before you think to yourself, “There is no such thing as hope because I am on the spectrum and rejected by the world”, think again from this perspective.

Many members of Wrong Planet have written over the course of time that many factors have created in them negative feelings about being on the spectrum ranging from cultural norms to gender stereotypes to even family traditions and values with many great examples that are too many to name. I was diagnosed with AS when I was thirteen and of course given my age at the time, I had no idea what my specialist was talking about. I had other things on my mind such as coping with the loss of my father, bullies (including two teachers) who took pride in seeing me and fellow misfits as targets for intimidation that were later dismissed by our school’s principal, and trying to win over a female NT peer who I was infatuated with.

Since I was diagnosed at the age of thirteen, I like many of you (regardless if you have accepted your AS diagnosis or not), have had my ups and downs in regards to feelings about being on the spectrum. Optimism and cynicism will always be equal to each other in a manner that we may not be able to tell the difference of. If you are a person on the spectrum who has accepted your AS diagnosis, consider reaching out to NT people you know who know someone who is on the spectrum. Explain to such people about Wrong Planet and its benefits but also tell such members to always express caution in order to avoid being a target for mud-slinging. Then tell such people who feel a sense of intrigue caused in part by the benefits of being a member of Wrong Planet to not worry so much about how they will be treated even if more members sign on are close to them in terms of geographic vicinity.

As for cynicism and it being the opposite to optimism, a question came to mind; the question being: Can the concepts of optimism and cynicism work together in a harmonious way so we can understand ourselves even more? Although many members of Wrong Planet have stated that cynicism is the only way to move forward, what is the evidence that can prove such beliefs to be true? If you are reading this and believe that no evidence is needed to prove cynicism to be better than optimism, what reasons do you have that you can connect to this belief as a whole?

Now before you ask me, “Brother Anonymous, your own mom enjoys being abusive towards you and your NT sister, so why are you telling us all this right now?” It is just from personal experience with sometimes our mother playing the victim. One example is that at the beginning of this month, I had a medical situation at my school during a class meeting. This obviously scared everyone with some believing I was having a stroke. I was treated on-site and later released, but a bill arrived the other day through postal mail and when I saw it, my mom took it from me and opened it. The bill was approximately one hundred dollars and even though I told her what had happened to me, she did not believe me and accused me of faking the situation as a means to make finances more of a burden for her.

Although I have much more to “say” in this post, I will close it here and the journey will continue.

Thank you for taking the time to read this!

-Brother Anonymous Anonymous

A very happy anniversary! I joined 7 years ago, and I still feel welcome here! Cheers!

Happy anniversary, I'm very happy you're here, Brother Anonymous! As you already know, I admire your relentless positivity and cheerful presence on this site, despite the many struggles you face in your daily life. Your contributions are commendable and so is your attention and messages towards more vulnerable or less visible members.

That's very impressive that you've been here so long. I see you welcoming every new member, you are a kind person. Happy anniversary!

Thanks everyone!

I posted a heart-felt reply and it disappeared . I am never as good again as the first time.

Brother AnonymousAnonymous, happy anniversary. I remember you responded to my first post. I remember that once, when I out of the blue decided to check the hugs thread, which I never did before, and saw I had been given a hug and that you addressed me as Lady Blazingstar, which just about made me swoon.

Thank you for taking the time to write to us. Thank you for your optimism and gentleness.

Congratulations on staying with this place for so long. You have been a true asset to the community.

Congrats, Sir Anonymous!

I just had my 5th year anniversary on WP.

Happy anniversary! Not an unlucky 13 at all!

Congratulations Brother A! I always imagine your donning a purple hooded robe during your browsing and typing responses - just joking as we aren't exactly a secret club with secret rituals... WP has meant a lot to me over the years too and I've been here about 7 years.

All the best as you look forward to the next 13 and thank you for making everyone, especially the newcomers introducing themselves, feel welcome.

Congratulations. I have been blessed to be here to be able to read your contributions for over six of your thirteen years here.

Thanks everyone yet again! I will always be glad to have found this place!

However, I want to give all of you a heads up. I may not post as much beginning next month because my mom will be visiting her native land for the holidays. She will leave on December 10th and will return to Portland
on January 11th, 2020. My final exam for the current term at my school will be on December 11th. After, my NT sister and I will be very much by ourselves for the holidays although TBH, a visit from our grandmother anytime between 12/10 and 1/11/2020 would be nice given that we have not seen her in a long time.

13 years is quite a long time. I have been here for about 5 or 6 months.

So glad you're here, AA . It wouldn't be the same without you!