Autism Spectrum

June 27, 2023

I’ve talked many times throughout my long covid run about how doctors and therapists compare my symptoms to those presented in stroke, MS, and Parkinson’s patients. I might have another to add…..

I’ve worked hard to be respectful of the sensitivities of the many autistic kids and teenagers I’ve known and worked with over the years but I never fully understood what life was like for them until I got long covid. Over the last two and a half years, I’ve commented often that I think my brain functions like someone on the autism spectrum. Last week I listened to this interview with Catherine May and was floored how accurate my statement is. To learn what it’s been like inside my body and brain and why sometimes I look like no one’s home or why I flinch when you touch me or why I jump feeling zaps of electricity, listen to the following chunks of the interview at minutes: 17:30, 28:15, and 37:00. (Obviously if you are interested in learning more about autism, the entire interview is extremely informative)

Over the past six or seven weeks, several people have commented “your eyes look better”. I didn’t know what they meant until I listened to this interview and realized that my brain has finally returned to filtering some information which quiets the noise, distracting and overwhelming me less, allowing me to be present and enjoy the company of others. I’ve also learned to respect the rest I need when my brain filter doesn’t work. I will never be able to express the depth of my gratitude to each of you for being patient and supportive when I don’t respond, cancel plans, or just say “no, I can’t.” Knowing that you love me no matter what allows me to rest easier.

Thank you for being with me, holding me up (literally), and cheering me on through every speed bump and pothole. While long covid continues to challenge sufferers, hopefully the more patients share their stories, the more dots the medical community can connect to find out just what the heck covid did to us and ultimately, someday, they can stop it from happening to others.