I’m struggling with anxiety again, even though I felt strong over the weekend. Example 1: When our cat Ermy goes out for longer than usual, then there’s a post on the village Facebook page about a cat that has been run over. My immediate thoughts “Ermy is not coming back this time. My daughters areContinue reading “Anxiety and bereavement”
Category Archives: Inclusion
Unsolicited advice from supposed neurotypical
Last June I was on the train to London. I was disorganised, panicking that I’d forgotten my phone charger, rooting flustered through every pocket of my laptop bag, awkwardly asking the management consultant type opposite me if I had dropped my credit card (which was actually safe in my coat pocket). Later he asked meContinue reading “Unsolicited advice from supposed neurotypical”
Making the Stonewall Top 100 Inclusive Employers List
What it means to me that my employer made it into the Stonewall Top 100: I have always been passionate about diversity and inclusion, partly because I am #autistic and bisexual and hence I identify as a member of an intersectional minority group. In our family there are gay, bisexual and gender-fluid young people, someContinue reading “Making the Stonewall Top 100 Inclusive Employers List”
New Year Resolution for 2020
New Year’s Resolutions, just a continuation of a resolution I made a while ago: Think twice before volunteering, making new commitments, agreeing to things. Remember that you’re spread too thin already, and never know how you or your dependants will feel from one day to the next. My “don’t enter too many races” resolution startedContinue reading “New Year Resolution for 2020”
Side-eye conversations with Iggy
TW CW suicide child death bullying Note: Media interest in our story is not welcome. Names have been changed, so don’t bother googling us. My first-born son killed himself earlier this year, out of the blue, aged just fifteen. For background, since starting high school in 2017 Iggy had been struggling increasingly with anxiety. InContinue reading “Side-eye conversations with Iggy”
Online friends and running buddies
It’s a miserable rainy day and I’ve woken with a cold and sore throat, so I’m not sure whether to run this morning. Running is what passes for a social life in real life for me. Side eye conversations, comfortable silences. It’s a visual and kinetic stim for me, and helps keep me grounded andContinue reading “Online friends and running buddies”
National Coming Out Day
I posted the above on National Coming Out Day, and a friend commented this: “I really struggle with why people have to “come out!” I mean “straight” people don’t have to, so why should they? What’s wrong with people just being accepted for who and what they are?” After much deliberation, here is my response:Continue reading “National Coming Out Day”
Iggy Rocks
“Iggy Rocks” are rocks painted in memory of Iggy, with things Iggy liked and symbols of things that mattered to him. Could be a Deadpool mask, could be a Pride flag or an autism acceptance infinity symbol. It doesn’t need to be complicated and impressive. Write “Facebook: Iggy Rocks” on the back. My Iggy RocksContinue reading “Iggy Rocks”
No outsiders in our school
Those who know me well know that I’m passionate about diversity and inclusion, and I think the only way to tackle hatred and exclusion is to bring up every child to celebrate and accept all differences in the human condition. This afternoon I had the opportunity to attend a talk at work by Andrew Moffat,Continue reading “No outsiders in our school”
Neurodivergent role models
Stonewall created a list of top tips for LBGTQ role models. This concept and practice lends itself neatly to autism and neurodiversity advocacy. Are we neurodiversity advocates sending the right message to colleagues and job candidates who are considering “coming out” about their autism or other neurological condition. I do hope so. According to Stonewall,Continue reading “Neurodivergent role models”
Ausome Charlie 