Richmond Talk~Monday 9th August 2010

A couple of months ago I was invited by Chantelle Jary who's a Facebook friend of mine to talk to her group about my book. I'd seen her group and thought it was a great Aussie group supporting people which is great. So for the past couple of months I had been getting ready to go visit. Yet at the same time I felt rather nervous as well. But honestly I think most people get nervous talking in front of people.

So last Monday night I went to The Richmond Club to give a talk for some people. The group that I talked to was called The Autism and Aspergers Support Group with a membership of about 200 people in total. Throughout the year they have meetings and also different activities.

Upon arriving at the club my friend and I were warmly welcomed where we had something to eat and drink. We met a few people as well and I was told that there was a girl all the way over from
Finland "who was very keen to meet me". I was told that she was sitting in the meeting room waiting for it to start because she was so early. I couldn't stand the thought of her sitting there all by herself so I welcomed her for to join us. She was also a bit quiet yet warmed up with the talking. Over dinner it was interesting hearing her experiences and what it was like for her because she also was diagnosed at age 26. She also gave me a soft toy Reindeer which was so cute. I was speechless and blown away also was not expecting anything like this at all. I thanked her very much.

So at about 7:30pm the talk started where I was called up out the front. I introduced myself and started talking about my life also book. The time seemed to fly when I was up there yet in some ways it felt slow as well. It felt totally surreal that I was reading parts of my books to the audience...something that I had been working on for so long writing it. At the end there were quite a few questions about the book and my life. I was treated to a round of applause and felt really moved from it.

After that I signed books for everybody and was greatly humbled by everybody that I had met as well as giving a couple of people much needed hugs. I thought I was talking to around 50 to 55 people that night yet the figures I got a few days later were really interesting.... I spoke to 80 people and also sold quite a few copies of the book. When I was told 80 people it was an amazing feeling that my story really was worthwhile and gave hope to people.

That night both my friend and I came away feeling moved. In my heart of hearts I was so humbled by the response that I got from all these beautiful people of the group. I felt so honored and privileged that I could come visit. I thank you Chantelle Jary and The Autism and Aspergers Support Group for all your support!

Also for more information on the group here it is: http://www.autismsupport.org.au/