Re: Hi everyone - new to the site!

[Guest guest]

wrote:

>Great to meet you all - finally taken the plunge and just want to say

>what a great site, what a diverse and interesting group of people!

>It truly is a pleasure to have finally made it on! Thanks !

>

>I'm a 37 year old Aussie, Aspie, married with three children, who has

>lived in England for the past 8 years.

Welcome. Sounds like you have an interesting family.

I'm lucky enough to have visited England (many years

ago). Haven't made it to Australia, though I'd sure

like to someday.

For more on me, see http://staff.washington.edu/mjane

I keep meaning to get some more bear photos taken and

posted. There are several new bears eager to pose.

Jane

[Guest guest]

wrote:

> Hi to you all,

Hi , welcome to the Treehouse.

> I have only disclosed to one other person (54 year old high

> functioning male - incredible person whom I respect deeply)

> who has worked in both the U.S. and Australia for the last

> 28 years with autistic children and adults presenting with

> the most extreme and dangerous of behaviours.

Would his initials be L.W.? If so, I understand he's a good

man.

Clay

[Guest guest]

> Welcome. Sounds like you have an interesting family.

>

> I'm lucky enough to have visited England (many years

> ago). Haven't made it to Australia, though I'd sure

> like to someday.

>

> For more on me, see http://staff.washington.edu/mjane

> I keep meaning to get some more bear photos taken and

> posted. There are several new bears eager to pose.

Hi Jane,

Thanks for the welcome. Really enjoyed reading your work/articles,

was familiar with the article entitled 'Why are we so unfriendly?' as

it was ironically this article that my 54 year old friend has

referred to in the past while addressing members of another autism

forum. I was pleasantly surprised to see you here!

I had a lovely time browsing through your wonderful bear creations!

Seems like you too are a bit of an arctophile! I began making mohair

bears quite a few years back now and although I don't tend to make

them much anymore, I have many, as well as remaining a member of the

Steiff club. My study looks more like a bear museaum with many bears

and bear paraphernalia from all over the world. They're also quite

an investment(moreso the Steiff variety!). Congratulations on the

awards - they are very well deserved. I'm an all round mad sewer as

I used to make most of my children's clothes, but am now more of a

quilter.

My eldest son moves out tomorrow in order to live closer to his new

music college so I'm in the throes of 'letting go' and am trying to

stay dignified and strong - not easy! I remember how happy I was

though when at 18 I moved into my own place. I had a difficult,

terribly old fashioned father who upon my mother's death when I was 5,

brought me up in such a way that I was expected to do all the

housework/cooking, which I actually enjoyed, but I resented being told

that just because I was born a girl I could not continue with higher

education(he felt girls are meant for marrying, should never work) so

I found myself a job and paid my way through, leaving home as soon as

I was able.

I'm a firm believer that life's trials aren't meant to destroy us but

rather to allow us to discover who we really are.

Enough of my ramblings! Your writings have been keeping me busy!

Gosh you've had some interesting times!

Regards,

[Guest guest]

Hi Clay,

His initials are J.C. and he has written a paper which he sent to

Baron-Cohen and Tony Attwood and he has been told he must publish, but

is holding back, concerned he would be left feeling too exposed. I

hope he eventually goes ahead. He was only diagnosed three years

back and has had to fight discrimination in his own workplace in the

field of Disability, where you'd like to think better understanding

and acceptance would reign, but it would seem not.

Take care,

>

> Would his initials be L.W.? If so, I understand he's a good

> man.

>

> Clay