In the three-or-so years since I started this blog after recognizing I was autistic, I have come a long way in my understanding of autism and of myself. I have found myself, together with other autistic people, parents, advocates and allies, as a member of an extended online community that in my experience sets the standard for friendliness and mutual support.
Most of all, I feel fully accepted by my peers for who I am. Among my circle of friends, most of whom I have never met in person, I feel safe. These online spaces — blogs, social media — are a kind of refuge to which I can retreat when Real Life threatens to overwhelm me. In honor of that here is my contribution to the 2014 Autism Positivity Flash Blog.
Threads
Like the Norse of long ago
Whose Norns would weave the threads of lives,
Warp and woof and who could know
When theirs would end with flashing knives,
Live your life from day to day
As if each sunrise were your last.
Friends and love: for these I pray;
All else is moot, the runes are cast.
“God does not play dice,” it’s said,
And Chaos rules the universe.
‘Til the day you wind up dead
You play the hand you’re dealt at birth.
Should you feel you have no choice
And all is written in the stars,
Listen to your inner voice;
Accept yourself for who you are.
New threads join: new friends, a wife,
And how it ends I cannot say.
Grasp the threads that form your life
And weave your pattern your own way.
Coda
Discovering that I am autistic was a positive experience for me. I was finally able to understand why I am different from so many of the people around me. It gave me a structure on which to build my self-understanding. From understanding grew acceptance which blossomed into love: I love my autistic self.
As I have mentioned many times before I have made a number of friends within the autism community. From the first person with whom I connected online, Bird, my circle grew and there are too many loving, supportive friends for me to mention them all. But it seems unfair not to recognize at least some of the people who hold a special place in my heart. So, in no particular order, …
- Renee Salas
- Cynthia Kim of Musings of an Aspie
- Brent White of ACAT: Ala Costa Adult Transition Program
- Sonia Boue
- Helen Le Brocq
- Ariane Zurcher (not forgetting Emma & Richard too) of Emma’s Hope Book
- Ibby Grace of Tiny Grace Notes
- M O Kelter of Invisible Strings
- Autisticook
- Nattily of Notes on Crazy
(I know there are many people I have not mentioned, and I apologize to those I did not list here.)
My Autistic Dance 
Alex, this was such a beautifully moving post to me. It has been this way for myself also, since beginning to blog and finally getting myself on Twitter and FB. Finding such an amazingly wonderful support system and group of friends who are Autistic and those who are Autistic friendly and supportive people, parents or otherwise. What a loving and compassionate community it is and I’m incredibly happy to be a part of it, too.
When I first started blogging a few years ago about being Autistic, you were the very first friend I made. You’re encouragement and your openness in writing about your life through your blogs and the comments we would leave one another have been an inspiration for me and have helped me to get to where I am today with my new blog. You inspired me to be able to be more open about myself and my experiences as well. Thank you so much for being a part of that in my life. I hope you realize you have. I am quite honored to be your friend.
Love and friendship,
Bird
LikeLike
Bird, I remember those conversations in the blog comments as if it was yesterday. You have been such a positive force in my life, and I feel blessed to have gotten to know you. Thank you.
Love and friendship always,
Alex
LikeLike
All the love. This is beautiful.
LikeLike
Thank you ((Nattily)). ❤
LikeLike
Just as the morning routine becomes integrated – eventually – I’m daring to think all this LOVE will get integrated – for us all!!!! Not that we will take it for granted, but that we will be suffused with it, and the self-acceptance and growth (not that we need to change! but imagine all we can do once the love is a given!) that can come from that…
Thank you,
LikeLike
It sure is an awesome thought! So many positives come from love. xx
LikeLike
This is beautifully written, thx for this Alex
LikeLike
Thank you, ((M))!
LikeLike
This lifted my spirits on a rough morning. Thank you ❤
LikeLike
(((Cynthia))) ❤
LikeLike