Many people on the spectrum become very isolated, and this
is likely to get worse with age
My neck has been refusing to turn properly for some time.
Perhaps it’s hurting but I’m not sure – like many people with autism I can find
it hard to recognise pain and even harder to voice it. I should probably have
had it checked out months ago but in the absence of family, partners and
friends to point this out, I haven’t.
Although my neck is affecting my driving, it takes a near
car crash to make me go to a noisy, alien health centre. The doctor who sees me
is kind enough but he moves into my space, touches my neck and stares when he
asks questions. When he diagnoses the problem as “a bit of wear and tear” I
grab my prescription and run.
Later, swallowing the prescribed anti-inflammatories, it
occurs to me that “wear and tear” is probably medical speak for getting older.
I’m in my early fifties and it’s getting harder to convince myself that my
autistic self-reliance will hold out forever. Before long I may need some level
of support – and that scares me.
To read more on this story, click here: I'm Scared to be an Older Person with Autism
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