Casting a net to the few Irish folks who might see this. I'd need to sort out an ongoing issue with the Revenue Service regarding my disability pension, and would need some 3rd party help with it. I've gone through pretty much all Citizen Help stuff and NGOs and such I can think of, and nobody has been willing to assist me.
I'm not an Irish citizen, resident or anything, it's a fucked up situation I didn't create but ended up saddled with (It's prolly a very simple thing to solve with someone who knows what they're doing. Unfortunately, I'm not that someone).
So, I'd need someone who's familiar with dealing with the Revenue Service who could help me pro bono or for a very reasonable fee. I'm even willing to pop into Ireland for a mini-vacation and go visit the Revenue in person, if I just had someone supporting me during that.
If you happen to know someone like that, feel free to give them my email, diffie(a)tuta.io.
Each day, I pour my heart into my work... to be a voice in our autism journey. Basically, cuz I gotta. That's special interests for ya...
But now, I’ve hit a snag.
Our car, my lifeline in this rural Owensburg, is crying for help. We were so fortunate...
Family members Zach & Sky GAVE us the van. Our Odyssey's absolutely neccessary to survive. At least in the country village we chose to support my autistic sensory need.
But we're facing brakes & tires. Which ain't cheap. I’m staring down a $500 bill.
Plus Christmas is coming for the family. Kimmie has 7 extraordinary kids. And then there's the 17 grandkids showing more and more signs of extraordinary every day...
If you've found a friend in my words, consider lending a hand. It’s more than just money; it’s keeping our dream of an autistic community alive.
You guys make MY dreams come true. Every day. In my freaking 70s.
It's my raw hope, I help make one or two come true for you by sharing my lived experience.
I’m forever grateful for your past support. Together, we're more than just a community; we're a family.
With your help, we can continue this amazing journey. Thanks for being the stars in my night sky.
Big shoutout to EVERYBODY for always being there. And making AutisticAF Out Loud a reality!
Angie Kilroy
Bernard Grant
Bernadette Grosjean
Brea Corwin
Bridget Donahue
Burnett Grant
Chris Thompson
Cinja
Ed Dupree
Fellow Autistic
Heidi
Irene
JD Goulet
Jim Hogan
Kimmie Knapp
Marcus Garrett
Martin Nutbeem
Merlin Star
Nonimiz on TikTok
Potto
Tad
Wick
Zach & Sky Granger
And a dozen more folks who prefer anonymity.
@Richard_Littler@actuallyadhd@actuallyaudhd I suppose the only comfort I can give you is I'm waiting two years in the UK for an appointment currently and I wish I had that problem.
@johnnyprofane1@actuallyautistic@actuallyaudhd@actuallyadhd
To me, Theo's voice sounded computer-generated. For the most part, yours didn't; there were two or three places where the cadence and the intonation sounded off to me, but that may be a transpondian thing.
The intonation in your voice was exaggerated, as if every single statement was the most extraordinary thing anyone had ever heard. I'd tone it down -- make it less like a circus ringmaster and more like a lively but comfortable conversation between friends. And go easy on the reverb. It's like compression: when used well, it makes sound easier and smoother to listen to without ever becoming noticeable.
You did ask for honest feedback. 🙂 I hope this is useful.
This is probably a weird thing to crowdsource for because I'm sure it's personal and dependent on a lot of factors, but.... wondering about autistic and AuDHD experiences with psychiatric meds.
I took anti-depressants in high school and felt like they did nothing but rob me of my memory and after my ADHD diagnosis in my early 20s stimulants which worked well, but I couldn't handle when they wore off without meltdowns.
I have been very resistant to the idea of medication as an intervention ever since. Even after I had my breakdown and landed in the hospital, I stubbornly haggled with my doctor to be on the least medication possible and we arrived on something that struck me as relatively low risk. (I can't remember the name now, but it was an ADHD med that has another use as a blood pressure med but it's mostly prescribed for ADHD). I didn't stay on it after the hospital visit because it got stuck in preauthorization hell with my insurance and... I didn't want to be on meds anyway.
When I met my new PCP after that, I wasn't terribly impressed with her because at the two appointments I had with her when I was asking OTHER medical related questions... she immediately started trying to attribute physical symptoms to mental illness and push anti-depressants on me and when I refused and set the boundary that the decision for meds would be made with the guidance of my therapist, and if we needed her to prescribe I'd ask her.... I could tell I was getting the stare that conveyed she thought I was being defiant.
Mostly in my life, I've just coped with cannabis and been just fine...
But, my brain has been a little bit extra spicy in the past week or so.... and I find myself wondering if my adamant "no meds, please" stance is the right one to take or if I'm just paranoid because of past negative experiences when I was too young to really advocate for myself effectively.
no positive experience with such meds. they either do nothing or do serious and permanent harm.
i learned the hard way that you must advocate for yourself and not be intimidated or gaslit into submission. the good ones will never try to compel you to do what they want.
We (@LizShayne, Simcha Weinstein, and myself) are thrilled to announce that we are now accepting submissions for an upcoming book of essay collections that explores the dynamic intersection between neurodivergence, Torah, and Judaism.
This groundbreaking project aims to amplify the diverse voices within the #Neurodivergent Jewish community, inviting contributors to share their personal narratives, insights, and reflections on how their unique neurodivergent perspectives shape their interactions with Torah and Jewish practices.
Submissions are encouraged from individuals who identify as neurodivergent and Jewish, offering a platform for authentic, diverse expressions that will be compiled into a thought-provoking book that explores the multifaceted connections between neurodivergence and Judaism.
(Soft) Deadline for Submissions, December 15.
Tell us about it in a proposal no more than 800 words.
🌒One night that redefined a life.
🚨Dive into #Autistic identity... embrace rebellion, break ALL the rules.
🎙️🎧No masks, just raw authenticity. Click to enjoy
Because I'd forgotten: If you're using Linux and PulseAudio, you can use your laptop to pipe "outside" sounds through your headphones while you're listening to music, and control the volume of it to reduce stimuli while not shutting it all out.
Literally doing that right now in the ER waiting room, and it's saving my sanity.
@StevenSaus@actuallyautistic@actuallyaudhd I use the same technique to pipe my laptop audio through my PC so that I can use one set of headphones. Works well, if sometimes a bit fiddly.
If you have not yet read Fern Brady's memoir "Strong Female Character," do so. it will be a hard emotional read -- Fern shares her experiences as an #autistic woman -- but it's also good and honest and no bullshit from a very very smart comedian. Cannot recommend enough.