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/

Five Reason's Why I Don't Like Asperger's

Hello there people! The other day I wrote what were five reason why I liked having Asperger's. Now it has come to the time to describe the reasons why I don't like it. Yet i figure in life there are things there is good and bad. It matters how we deal with the challenges that arise to meet us...It makes us who we are as people.
Here's the list:

Five Reason's Why I Don't Like Asperger's

1. Because of having Asperger's some people May think that your really not that bright or intelligent.
2. People because if they think that way can try to take advantage of you in many different ways.
3. It is hard to get services that is just right for adults with Asperger's Syndrome. Sure there is plenty of services for kids which is so great to see. Yet hopefully as more adults come through then it will be easier. So there still is hope.
4. When some people hear the words 'Autistic Spectrum' their eyes just glaze over a bit and have trouble working out where you are on it. I've had one lady ask at a talk say "How is your reading Love? Are you good at it?" To which my reply was something like "Yes It is good... That's why I decided to write a book"....or something like that.
5. Sometimes it takes me so much longer than 'normal' people to work out what people are really saying or doing. I find it hard whether they are really for or against me and their real intentions are.

So there you have it. Five reason why I don't like Asperger's at all. Yet I suppose that you have to take the bad with the good. What ever the fact is that I am just me like everybody else and trying to live life the best I can! Remember I am no different than anybody else...Who knows one day you might meet somebody like me.....
Goodnight for now dear readers... Have a restful night..

Tuesday's RSL Talk & My Late Grandfather!

Wow! I can't believe that it's been a week since my last blog post. I've had a lot of different things happening and time has just flown by as does with life. I was also trying to prepare for a talk as well which I was feeling a bit nervous about. The talk was at 2pm at Epping RSL club in Sydney and the weather had been really rainy still which hasn't been good.

Anyway Tuesday came and the night before I hardly had any sleep which was not good. I woke up at about 3am and for the life of me could not get back to sleep. Tossing and turning like nothing else. Yet time was counting down for the talk so I was catching up with some work on the computer, got ready then I left. On the way halfway through the drive I noticed that my petrol gauge was on empty yet I kept on going because time was running away on me. Getting there I had to carry my box of books and a couple of bags upstairs. Luckily someone met me up there which was good and showed me where the room was. My Mum was running a bit late herself so it was a bit of a time of little drama's which for a person with Asperger's is most dicomforting. I only found out about five minutes before that they were having their own meeting for about 20 minutes.

So the meeting started and they remembered an old soldier who had died recently and we all stood up to say the remembrance oath? I think that is what it was called. Mum and I remembered my Grandfather who served in World War Two so thought should mention him at the beginning of my talk. Then my time came to talk....

I came up and gave my talk about my book yet it was a bit different. My lack of sleep was catching up with me and which felt weird. Yet I stuck in there finishing it. At the end they thanked me very warmly and also gave me a card. The people who were looking after Mum and I which was so nice and was truly appreciated. People were coming up and talking us which was great. So I sold and signed a few books for people who were inspired by my story.

That talk made me think about 'Max' my Grandfather who served in the war and was also a POW for three years of it. I was wondering what he had been through and wondering what it was like for him. Driving towards my partners house I was like a homing pigeon. Upon arrival I received a great big dose of affection which was needed and of course a nice cup of hot tea. We caught up with eachother and went for dinner at a local Chinese place we both like. After getting back from dinner we both had an early night because both of us were exhausted.

The next morning I was still tired yet that was expected with the big day before. As I left my sweeties house my mind turned to 'Max' so on the way home I went to the place where his ashes were, asked for a map and found them where they were resting. Feeling teary I sat down on the ground in front of his little niche. I had a tissue so I polished his little plaque and gave him a little flower. I hadn't visited him for years so I had a bit of catching up to do with the old guy. One thing he always said to me was "The world is your oyster!" which meant a lot to me.

He didn't say much this time yet I didn't expect him to. I told him about how I got the book published and other things I wanted to say as well. Also to touch his plaque with my hands felt so comforting because at last I could share with him how far I had come. Leaving there I was remembering my Grandfather and how much I loved him still. Yet at the same time I'm proud that his blood is running through my veins also. So dear 'Max' or Cyril my Grandfather I was a bit late for ANZAC day yet your forever in my heart!

Talk & Book Signing At Castle Hill Library Last Night

Hey there all! I found last night both to be interesting, surreal in a good way, nerve-wracking, surprising and totally unique
experience in more ways then one.
There was a talk being held at Castle Hill Library starting at 7:30pm.

Yet the trouble was getting there because Sydney was blanketed by very heavy rain with the last of peak hour traffic as well. Luckily my parents were coming with me and my Dad was driving the car which was great. My Dad was the photographer for the night so the event could be documented and shown here on my blog.

We ended up getting there really early so my parents and I had a hot drink to try to warm up. I had a lemon tart and a chai latte which I needed. It was great because there was actually a cafe in the library itself. Having that little break with my parents helped calm my nerves a bit. I did the final preparations lipstick etc...then was ready. We asked where the room was and walking in I found there to be quite a few people there who were early.

After that time seemed to go really quickly because so much was happening. People started coming in, I met the lady from the publishers, also the library guy in charge, My Dad taking a few picture of me holding my book. Then a favourite old school teacher came in who I hadn't seen for about 21 years came and knocked me for six! So anyway I got fitted up with a fancy microphone and the proceedings began. It felt that like I was almost in a dream.The man in charge introduced me and then it was my turn.

So for the next hour and ten minutes or so I spoke in front of about 55 to 60 people about my book and my life with Asperger's. Also included in the time was where people could ask questions about what they heard. Hearing the range of questions was something like pot luck because I had no idea what was coming. After that I was presented with a bottle of sparkling wine and then the book signing began....

Talk about from going one thing to another really quickly was interesting because it was all new and I wasn't used to it. For the next 15 to 20 mins or so I was signing books and trying listen to names, spell them and trying to write neatly also. I was really surprised to see quite a line of people waiting for my signature and to talk to little ol' me.

By the end of the night we ended up getting back to my parents safely where we had a small late dinner and I stayed the night. My parents were full of praise and they were both bursting with pride about the talk. Going to bed I still felt like it was a dream that had just happened. I almost had to pinch myself yet the tired made it real. I nodded off to sleep with a sense of pride and achievement. Also a prayer of thanks to the big guy up stairs. So farewell for now m readers....