Quote:
Originally Posted by wet dog
So you 've lived with it your whole life? How has it affected your relationships with the girls, friends, classmates, colleagues at work? Have you been able to engage well with others, participate in tasks, acccomplish assignments, etc.?
It is my opinion, that diversity is what makes the world interesting. If the current establishment wants everyone to be, act, think the same, well then, shoot me now because I ain't playin'.
|
To be honest I had plenty of trouble when I was younger. Until a few years back, I had many of the social (and other) issues typically associated with AS. I never was good with girls, had trouble making friends, difficulty in high-school, etc. Then about 2 years ago I decided I needed to change. I worked extremely hard on becoming sociable, doing better academically, and such. Granted I have a very supportive family and the friends I do have are people I am glad to call so.
These days, my grades in college have been very good, I have almost none of the social anxiety I used to, and I don't have any real "sensory" issues (those with AS often have problem with certain scents, textures, etc), I have become much better at "reading between the lines" and subtle social ques (traditionally a spot of trouble for those with AS) and I can walk into a room full of strangers, look people in the eye, and make new friends. I don't see myself as super intelligent in any way or that I am special, but I do believe I am a decent person with a solid moral core.
Two years is not a lot of time, granted, but I would say I am a different person now then when I was younger. The me know is somebody who doesn't quit when things get difficult, despite the urge to take the easy way out. SF is something I have thought about on and off for many years, and I am finally at a place in my young life were I feel I have "it" (whatever it is) together enough to enlist and succeed. My concern this last while was being unsure if AS was a problem. If it is not a DQ, then it's up to me to do what I want to do. I have never used my diagnosis as a crutch or an excuse, and I never plan to. I knew plenty of people back in HS who used whatever issues they had to excuse themselves, and I know people who are "professional" adults who do the same.
In many ways I am a typical 20 y/o guy, excited at the prospect of the 18x option, and doing/seeing things others people only see in movies. At the same time, I am a 20 y/o guy, who doesn't have much in the way of world or life experience, and like most people my age thinks he is right more often then he is.
Personally, what drives me to want to be in SF is knowing that (if I am selected), I have met a standard few do, will have the opportunity to meet the expectations of those counting on me, and have a chance to make a difference. I think I have it in me to do this, and I will give it my all to do so.
The SF has been tagged as "The peace corp with guns" by some, and from what I have been able to gather a decent amount of what SF does is teach (albeit not stuff you learn in chem class, and not in a "traditional setting"). Obviously SF missions are not limited to this, but knowing that part of the SF mission is to help others is very important to me.
I could be wrong and severely off mark in what SF is, and if my statements or anything I have said come across as ignorant I apologize sincerely. I have spent several recent weeks online browsing the web, on this forum (before I signed up), and asking family friends in the service questions so I can make the most informed decision for me.
I want to thank the people on this website for giving people the resource that it is.
After reading and searching, most of my questions have been answered. There is such a treasure trove of great information I might not have even posted at all if my question had not been specifically asked before.
Sorry for the long post, I wanted a chance to speak my mind fully and I figured it was better to do it like this then start another thread.
Thanks again to all,
NYTG
Linear Mode
