Life As an Autistic Man

I've been a creator on Vocal since 2018 and I love writing about the things that I'm passionate about. This platform is an outlet for me to write stories that might be relatable to most people. In this story, I'll be sharing my own personal experiences as someone who's on the Autism spectrum. If it's your first time on Vocal and don't know anything about me, by the time you've finished reading this story, you'll have a better idea of the kind of person I am.

I was born in 1987 in New York and a year after my birth, my family and I moved to Texas. I grew up in Arlington, Texas and parts of my childhood were great. My teacher noticed something wasn't right about me. In 1993, I started Pre-K and two weeks into that, my teachers told my parents that I was diagnosed with Autism. I was five years old at the time, so I had no idea what they were talking about. It would be years later to get somewhat of an understanding what this meant for me. Nonetheless, I was in special education classes through my junior year of high school. I grew up in the 90s and information about people with developmental and intellectual disabilities was misunderstood. My peers assumed that people in special education classes were dumb. I was unfortunately bullied on a regular basis because of my autism diagnosis and being in special education classes. I had very few friends and the teasing was brutal. Despite all of this, I managed to graduate from high school. Also, I graduated from a Job Corps center in 2011. The trade that was my focus was Office Administration. Not only that, but I graduated from a vocational school for people with developmental, physical, and intellectual disabilities in May 2012 with Honors. My trade of choice from that school was Sales and Marketing, which I completed in less than six months. So that means I graduated from two schools in less than three years.

I entered into the workforce in the summer of 2012, soon after I graduated. Looking for a job as someone with a disability was difficult. I ended up landing a job at a warehouse where I assembled parts together. I earned what the federal minimum wage was back then and still is today. The job lasted for less than six months before moving to another part of Arkansas. However, over the next decade or so, I've had different jobs with better and decent pay. I've been at my current job for over six years and still enjoy it to this day. Let's just say that I earn a lot more than my previous jobs. I've been in the workforce for over a decade, so things are looking up for me.

I've had my share of doubters, with people telling me that I would never live a "normal life" or would never make it in life. The first assumption that people have about someone with a disability is that they don't want to work and only aim to just collect a social security check every month. That is further from the truth. Just because we have a disability, either seen or unseen, it doesn't mean that we don't have anything to offer or can't contribute to society. I wanted to go out and work, because I didn't want to become a harmful and offensive stereotype: staying at home and collecting a monthly Social Security check. That was not the life I envisioned for myself. It was also not an example I wanted to set for myself and others who are reading this story. The other assumption that I've heard as a kid is that someone with a disability is automatically dumb. This claim is demonstrably false. I may have Autism, but I learn differently from others. Being different is good, because I have many interests that might differ from others, such as video games, baseball, and of course, writing. I grew up in an abusive and toxic household, so my now estranged parents weren't very patient with me because of my disability. It was like they blamed me for having something that was out of my control. Autism Awareness is one of the causes that I'm passionate about, because I'm grateful for the special education teachers I've had in school for helping me become the person that I am today. I guess you can call me an activist. I thank them as well as my other teachers for not giving up on me. I wouldn't know what I'd do without their support. I'm an advocate to those who can't speak or defend themselves.

One of the pet peeves that I can't stand is when some stand-up comedians make cruel and insensitive jokes about people with disabilities. This is one of the reasons why I don't like or support certain comedians. Yes, you have the right to say whatever you want, but like I've said many times, it's not freedom from the consequences you might face. For example, comedian Tom Segura has a history of using ableist slurs and telling offensive jokes about people like me, especially about people with Down Syndrome in a comedy special years ago. I like watching stand-up comedy specials, well, certain ones. However, there's a difference between a joke and an insult. Many of them got away with making crude and distasteful jokes back then, but in our ever-changing times, people recognize that certain jokes and slurs can be offensive. No, this has zero to do with political correctness or what Conservatives like to call "wokeness". It's about treating others with dignity and respect. If you knew someone who had a disability, would you disrespect and degrade them in that manner? Think about that. To me, comedians who make fun of disabled people at their own expense just to get a few laughs are the worst. Unless you know the daily struggles of someone with a disability, seen or unseen, then you have no right to go after them. That includes children, too. They're off limits and so are we. I didn't choose to have Autism. It just happened, but I'm living the best life possible for myself. Walk a mile in our shoes and maybe, you'll be able to educate yourself on the topic and have a bit of compassion.

In conclusion, we're not stereotypes or allow anyone to use us for comedy relief. We have feelings too and are able to live steady and productive lives. I can say that I'm a prime example of someone who has overcome so many barriers in life to get to where I'm at today. I may be nearing 40, but I'm sharing my story to show everyone that despite your disability, anyone can make it in life. Who am I to tell them no? If someone tells you that you can't make it in life or can't achieve specific goals, prove them wrong by working harder to make those achievements a reality. You got this and I wish you nothing but the best in your life. Your disability shouldn't and will never define you as a person. You are worthy and loved. It also doesn't have to determine your worth or mean that you're less than who you are. Everyone deserves to be treated with compassion, dignity, and respect.

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