Being an ally means supporting people and promoting acceptance of normal human differences. Allies can help to create a culture where all individuals feel supported, included, and valued. Sometimes allies stand up to bullying and discrimination, helping people to feel safe to be their authentic selves. Nobody should be bullied or excluded due to normalContinue reading “What being an ally means to me”
Category Archives: Neurodiversity
Iggy’s Initiative Introduction
Nobody should have to feel weird, ashamed, rejected, excluded, isolated due to their sexual orientation or their gender expression, nor due to their disability or neurological differences, nor any other human characteristic, but sadly this happens all the time. Young people, especially teenagers, can be particularly affected by lack of acceptance and support. An alarmingContinue reading “Iggy’s Initiative Introduction”
You’ll never run alone
I was due to run with two friends, but one pulled out due to sore calf muscles, the other with bad hayfever. “Sorry to let you down, Charlie” says one in the group chat. “That’s fine”, I replied, thinking “it is sometimes easier to run solo anyway, as I can play the route by earContinue reading “You’ll never run alone”
Lockdown survival tips
Pretty much all of my lockdown survival tips are here in one post. A very British pot of tea and a packet of hot cross buns (from the freezer, so ignore the March “best before” date). And if ever there’s a time to treat yourself to proper butter, this is it, on toasted hot crossContinue reading “Lockdown survival tips”
Sensory sensitivity to noise
#AutismAcceptanceWeek Yesterday I was completely taken down by my sensory sensitivity to noise. For me, noise sensitivity is not about volume, but I get easily overwhelmed by different competing noises and sometimes by certain frequencies e.g. the low rumble of the air conditioning in the office. Yesterday the competing noises were my daughters playing MinecraftContinue reading “Sensory sensitivity to noise”
Day 1 Home-working while home-educating
Day 1 Home-working and home-educating 23 March 2020 “I’ve got this all figured out”, I thought. “This will be a piece of cake. I am only part-time, and I am lucky to have my husband (a musician) around every day to help…” First up I Skyped my line manager about temporarily changing my hours to startContinue reading “Day 1 Home-working while home-educating”
Anxiety and bereavement
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”
Rant about NHS mental health support
Please just indulge me this rant, without any overwhelming flurry of concerned personal messages. I’m basically OK today, and about to get stuck into some rock painting. This rant concerns NHS mental health services for adults in my area (Worcestershire). In the months following my son’s death last April, I realised I require some specialistContinue reading “Rant about NHS mental health support”
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”
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”