Sleeping is
Not My Thing!
Some kids counted sheep.
I counted every minute
I wasn't asleep.
Sleeping is
Not My Thing!
Some kids counted sheep.
I counted every minute
I wasn't asleep.
A HIGH-MAINTENENCE CHILD
A HIGH-MAINTENENCE CHILD
Growing up, I was what you might call...
a high-maintenance child.
My parents probably should've earned honorary medical degrees from all the doctor's appointments we went to.
I couldn't eat what other kids ate, my sensory system had a mind of its own.
———————————————————————————-
Growing up, I was what you might call...
a high-maintenance child.
My parents probably should've earned honorary medical degrees from all the doctor's appointments we went to.
I couldn't eat what other kids ate, my sensory system had a mind of its own.
—————————————
And Sleep?
Sleep and I have never been on speaking terms.
And Sleep?
Sleep and I have never been on speaking terms.
MIGRANES +
OPENING NIGHT
MIGRANES +
OPENING NIGHT
By fifth grade, migranes had become a regular part of my life. Lack of sleep was one of my biggest triggers, so imagine trying to survive middle school.
My favorite timing? Opening night of High School Musical.
Right in the middle of the school day, a migraine hit so badly that I had to go home, load up on medicine, and pray I'd be functional by curtain time.
By fifth grade, migranes had become a regular part of my life. Lack of sleep was one of my biggest triggers, so imagine trying to survive middle school.
My favorite timing? Opening night of High School Musical.
Right in the middle of the school day, a migraine hit so badly that I had to go home, load up on medicine, and pray I'd be functional by curtain time.
Another challenge many autistic people experience is sensory processing differences.
As a little kid, the tiniest things felt enormous. A paper cut felt like I'd lost a limb.
Another challenge many autistic people experience is sensory processing differences.
As a little kid, the tiniest things felt enormous. A paper cut felt like I'd lost a limb.
And those sparkly princess dresses everyone loved? They looked magical... until you actually put one on.
The scratchy fabric, stiff seams, itchy tulle, elastic squeezing in all the wrong places, it was less "Once Upon a Time" and more "Medieval Torture Device."
I looked like a princess, but I felt like a grumpy dragon.
And those sparkly princess dresses everyone loved? They looked magical... until you actually put one on.
The scratchy fabric, stiff seams, itchy tulle, elastic squeezing in all the wrong places, it was less "Once Upon a Time" and more "Medieval Torture Device."
I looked like a princess, but I felt like a grumpy dragon.
I also spent countless hours in occupational therapy.
Believe it or not, getting my toenails cut was practically an Olympic event.
I also spent countless hours in occupational therapy.
Believe it or not, getting my toenails cut was practically an Olympic event.
I had physical therapy too because I walked on my toes, and I even wore leg braces.
They were bright pink with purple hearts, I got to design them myself.
I had physical therapy too because I walked on my toes, and I even wore leg braces.
They were bright pink with purple hearts, I got to design them myself.
THE LITTLE THINGS FELT HUGE
THE LITTLE THINGS FELT HUGE
Most Families has a coffee table.
We had a trampoline.
Honestly…I think we made the better choice.
Most Families has a coffee table.
We had a trampoline.
Honestly…I think we made the better choice.
Most Families has a coffee table.
We had a trampoline.
Honestly…I think we made the better choice.
Occupational therapy was actually kind of fun. Giant swings, trampolines, obstacle courses...
My therapist basically tricked me into working hard by making it feel like recess.
In fact, I loved the trampoline so much that my parents eventually put one right in the middle of our living room.
Occupational therapy was actually kind of fun. Giant swings, trampolines, obstacle courses...
My therapist basically tricked me into working hard by making it feel like recess.
In fact, I loved the trampoline so much that my parents eventually put one right in the middle of our living room.
THERAPY DIDN'T FEEL
LIKE THERAPY
THERAPY DIDN'T FEEL
LIKE THERAPY