What I am about to disclose is highly personally; makes me look like a fool - but is so demonstrative of the life-long demands of high-functioning autism; even for those of us who live independently and are seen as 'together people'. Firstly; let me tell you that I am educated, articulate enough to have spent a number of years as a fulltime radio announcer and talkback host on capital city mainstream commercial stations. I have also worked in medical research and in the medical field accepting these roles while studying for a B.Ed.(AWE) and later a M.Ed.(LM). Even more astoundingly I have worked as a learning and development officer, and teacher, with people aged 14+ with autism and Asperger syndrome. I am currently studying postgraduate law. Anyway, I have dealt with what I am about to tell you with my students and helped them to understand the impact and made suggestions-which were followed, as to what to do. Commonsense suggests that what happened to me should not have happened; but it did! It is a demonstration of the problems those of us with autistic or Aspgerer's thinking must deal with on a daily basis. It shows the challenges we have; even when we are very much aware of our way of thinking. Remember; I knew and fully understood the consequences-it is the literal translation of what is said that caused the problems.
About three (3) years ago I acquired hay fever. It involved a lot of sneezing, coughing, and a very sore spot in my throat. I regularly went to my primary care doctor; known as a GP or general practitioner in
Time went passed and the coughing did not abate. In fact; it became so bad that one place I was working as a contractor in a senior management role contacted my agency and said that I was not fit to be at work. I went back to the GP with documentation proving I had been 'deemed unfit for work because of coughing'. He patronizingly told me that it was a way of saying they did not like my work. This is untrue as the lawyer in-charge of corporate affairs who told me to go away until I was better said I was welcome back in the role when I had solved my medical problem.
I left the GP's office with another prescription with his words of 'there is nothing more that can be done' ringing in my ears. More time transpired and the drugs did not work. I began working part-time teaching 1st year university students in leadership and management.
After class I was the last one in the building. I was walking towards the lifts to leave and I started to cough. This time it did not stop. I could not breathe. I struggled and gasped for breath-thankfully I made it into the lift and pressed the button knowing that if I could make it out of the list of the ground floor the cleaners or a passerby might see me through the glass doors if I collapsed. I just had to make it out of the lift and onto the carpet. I thought I was going to die! My life literally did pass before my eyes. Suddenly I gained control of my breathing-I do not know how or why.
Fortunately; some Indian students were straggling behind after been at another class and heard me desperately trying to breath; then demonstrating the kindly nature for which their culture is known, the students came looking for the source of the choking and found me. They insisted an ambulance be called as they considered I was having an asthma attack - later each student admitted they had never actually seen anyone having an asthma attack but clearly understood I could not breathe.
Carted off to hospital in the back of an ambulance the emergency room doctors were perplexed at my instance that my GP had said nothing more could be done. It transpired that my doctor could have done a lot more and should have tested my lung function. It was determined that I did not have asthma; but had some type of allergy reaction. I suspect that the GP was, as I said earlier, just sick of the sight of an Aspie whining about hay fever.
I went back to my GP for an explanation. He told me that even though he had said 'nothing more could be done' he did not mean it. I did not go back for further treatment. I have found a new GP; a private clinic with more than one doctor. When I think that one doctor is not doing his job properly, I just go back a few days later and see another doctor. It is ideal as all my medical tests and results and records are on hand with the one medical practice.
I actually experienced two (2) incidents where I started to black out from gasping for breath; except everything started to go red. I am both annoyed and irritated with my own stupidity. I understand that it is the literal translation of what was said to me that was the problem - and I have encountered problems with that before. I suspect I might encounter problems with it in the future too. I now have a book where I write out details of medical problems. I look up the Net to see what tests should be conducted and what medicine should be given. Then, armed with a little knowledge (which I know can be a dangerous thing) I go to the GP. I make sure I am very, very clear before I leave as to what the plan is.
This blog is intended to demonstrate that living on the autism continuum is a life-long challenge. Please feel free to post your experiences on my Facebook.
I have been told that some blogs of mine have appeared in print in newsletters a couple of times now; without my prior knowledge of permission. So, yes in the spirit of community, you may repeat this story. Please ensure you reference this Blog, Tweet and Facebook AND provide me with an email AND email me a copy of what you have printed. You may NOT make any demeaning comments or comments of a similar nature about me or any of my experiences.
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