Lessons learned from yesterday’s London trip:
1) I cannot cope with the overwhelming noise of a protest without ear defenders. Another protester lent me his for a few minutes when I was noticeably struggling and wincing. The relief was incredible! I could still hear the person talking to me, but the other conflicting noises – traffic, buses, horns blaring and beeping, and people all talking at the same time were far quieter.
2) It is too much for me to travel to London, attend a protest, then try and attend an evening event as well. It was lovely to see some colleagues from Together and look at the art exhibition, but then I felt awkward and overwhelmed, made a French exit and got an earlier train home. I feel very disabled when I’m in situations like that, but it is clear to me now that I was expecting too much from myself.
3) Take a drink, allow time for lunch.
Once again, I did not allow enough time for lunch, and I didn’t take a drink. I ate and drank nothing at all between 10am and 7pm. It is bonkers how often I do that, and I always wonder why I have a splitting headache!
No wonder I reject the label ‘high-functioning’!
#Autism #ADHD #ActuallyAutistic #Neurodiversity #InvisibleDisability
Ausome Charlie 