Jason,
I watched the PBS documentary which featured your story of living with Aspergers. It moved me to the point of tears because my younger brother also has Aspergers. Just like you, he was diagnosed with many different things over the years, until finally the diagnosis of Aspergers was made. When I saw your website in the Documentary, I immediately went on my laptop to see if I could contact you.
Recently, my brother has been having some difficulties in school. He has a hard time finding the drive inside of him to work hard. He’s such an intelligent person (and I don’t just say that because he’s my brother) and he has so much potential. Seeing that you went to College was wonderful, because I think my brother needs that right now. I think he has lost faith in himself, and his own abilities. I don’t think he realizes that he is capable of just as much as those without Aspergers, if not more.
Your story was amazing in that you can give hope to those people who feel like no one understands them. I intend to get my brother to watch the documentary with me. Right now, he feels so isolated from the world and I want him to know that it will get better. No matter how much the people around him say it, I think it would mean a lot more if someone in the same situation could tell him. I want him to know that he can do just as much as anyone else, Aspergers or not.
My request to you is to please email me back with some advice, directed at him. I will show the email to him after watching the Documentary with him. I think it would be a great inspiration for him, and it would mean the world to me to be able to be able to find someone to provide that for him. Thank you for taking the time to read my email, and for telling your story to the world.
Sincerely,
A loving big sister
Dear A Loving Big Sister’s Brother,
I am sorry it took so long to respond to your sister’s email. I wanted to think about how to explain to you what I could do to help. Its important to persevere and always remember to use your interests to succeed in the world. Sometimes it is hard while being an Autie/Aspie to do the many things you want to do. There is so much bullying which brings our self-esteem down, but by understanding who we are and knowing people can be ignorant, we know not to react negatively to them.
You need a friend to help you through it. I am involved in the JCC Adaptations program for social and life skills which helps me out a lot. It has transformed my life to meeting great individuals who treat me like a person and vice versa. I have enjoyed learning about how to improve my confidence, spontaneous thinking, social skills, stress management, and other good important daily life skills. It is a way to improve and find my skills also.
I may have struggles still like finding a job that respects and appreciates me as well as something I can do that I like, but still it amazes me I still persevere no matter what. Figure out how you can make friends and live your life knowing the basic life skills necessary for the rest of your life. It will help you out in the long run.
I hope you enjoy life and remember to filter out what other people think of you and go out there to do what you like and meet new, interesting people. There is nothing more important than to be with a quality person who brings out the best in you. I really appreciate your “Loving Big Sister” writing to me and informing me that you are feeling out of place in society. You will find who you are and will be successful just like any one else. Just Believe!!
Thank you Violet for watching the PBS special and liking my website. The email really made me think of what the whole Autism Spectrum including me feels sometimes or in most cases a lot of the times. God Bless you and please tell your Brother, A Fellow Autie/Aspie, he is great too!!
Best regards,
J