Login to Change.org
Create an Account
Norah vd Stel
As well, Netherlands
27-year-old diagnosed with Asperger's. Generally happy person with a few hobbies that bring me much joy. Currently unemployed; with many great plans for the future, at least one of which can, with plenty of accomodations and help, hopefully be realised (don't know if there will be time for the rest once I start on one :D).
Recent Activity
-
Norah commented on the petition |No episode with asexuality at all would have been better than this one.
-
Norah signed the petition |
-
Norah signed the petition | -
Norah signed the petition | -
Norah commented on the article |I have generally found less bullying in smaller schools, and less bullying in schools that have more diverse students (any kind of diversity). Also, the way the school handled bullying made a lot of difference.
I wasn't bullied in primary school, though in the last two years it became very apparent how much I didn't fit in. That hurt, but being treated in a civil manner even if you have few to no friends is very different from being abused (picking on or bullying seem like euphemisms).
I was bullied badly, though not physically apart from a shove here and there or people trying to trip me (which didn't work because I always look down when I walk anyway, because I fall over without any 'help' otherwise, so I tended to notice feet sticking out long before I made my next step), in middle school (age 12-18). I managed to get it to stop on my own after some years, with some friends I eventually managed to make, or rather they made me. But it was no thanks to the school, which did nothing at all about bullying and would rather pretend it didn't happen on a nice, small school ike theirs (it was rife). I too was always trying to stay home, made it clear that I didn't want to go anymore, and I wish my parents had kept me home like this father.
In my final two years, they finally adopted some programme that should minimise bullying, but it didn't work. I think this was partly because the programme wasn't very good, but mostly because none of the teachers really cared, or they even thought of the bullied children in the same discriminatory ways as the bullies. We approached one teacher once while a girl was being badly abused in the hallway as they were entering his classroom, because it made us angry to see it. He said something like: "Well, we try to stop it, but what can you really do when they look as weird as her." (She looked perfectly fine, just didn't follow fashion trends and her clothes weren't new or matched in any way.)
We had tried intervening ourselves before, but it didn't work, it just made them more vicious when we were not around, and the victim didn't exactly thank us for it. I understand that perfectly, I know how and why it didn't work, but it can get too much having to watch it happen.
But even getting the bullying to stop doesn't mean the effects have stopped. In fact, it wasn't until after it stopped that I really got very depressed and suicidal, like I finally had time for it all to get to me, before I was just trying to survive the day each day.
-
Norah commented on the article |All I can think of is having other watchers "watch the watchers", and then it's best if these people are friends to us (if possible), and of course they should have no links at all to the staff (or whoever) who could potentially do the stealing.
This is the reason why I have no one managing my accounts and bills and taxes and stuff for me, even though it would be better. My partner keeps an eye on it, and my parents as back-up (which is not ideal, since, unfortunately, most likely one day they will die before me, so it's a good thing I trust my partner beyond 100% and he has promised he will keep looking after stuff like this for me even if we ever end up splitting up).
-
Norah commented on the article |I like heavy boots or heavy shoes too (but it's better if they come up over my ankles). I don't know how exactly they're helpful, but they make me feel grounded, help me feel that my feet are there or whatever. I think they might actually be easier to coordinate when I can feel them well the entire time. And I dunno, it just feels nice with something tight and heavy around my feet and lower legs. I'd never wear a weighted belt though, I can't stand to wear anything tight around my upper body (I wear suspenders too instead of a belt).
I'd probably like a weighted vest unless it'd make my back hurt faster, and I'm still hoping to find an easily accessible source of weighted blankets (too big a project to start on my own).
-
Norah commented on the article |My mom put me and my brothers in judo classes to help with our motor skills. I have to say that it both does and does not work. (But at least it will teach you how to fall over without seriously hurting yourself).
It did not improve my balance or my motor skills in general, but it did help me learn to do specific moves and such and be more confident about moving around and not afraid of falling, and of course it kept me fit and moving. The problem seems to be that I cannot generalise those learned movements to other things too, so learning judo throws will not, for example, help me dance any better. Dancing lessons would help me learn specific dance moves, but a salsa class wouldn't help me a whit to do a walz, etc etc.
-
Norah commented on the article |Somehow I don't think interpreting others' words or behaviour has much to do with my horrible motor skills (past and present).
Might be interesting if they were on to something, but I kinda doubt it. Though I don't know which one (if either at all: interpreting behaviour or motor skills) has (more) to do with relying on visual clues.
But my instincts or anecdotes aren't exactly hard science.
-
Norah commented on the article |People overlook this because it sounds positive when you don't know any better. What it means though is that he doesn't consider her to be a full or real person who experiences and is capable of showing the full range of human emotions and flaws in addition to our good sides.
Impact
23 Actions
0 Recruits
Top Causes
|
17 Actions
|
3 Actions
|
|
|
Organizations
-
Plan USA1 Action 0 Recruits -
The Autistic Self-Advocacy Network0 Actions 0 Recruits
