"Everyone is claiming to be neurodivergent nowadays because life is hard and they just want an excuse to be lazy"

I've seen this sentiment a lot over the past few years and I want to share a story that I think is important. 

I was neurodivergent long before there was this much awareness about it.

Unfortunately, even without ever using the word neurodivergent "as an excuse", my parents were told by most school administrators that I was being a lazy brat and not trying hard enough. 

They told them I was slow, sloppy, and all sorts of other degrading things too.

They even claimed I made up a concussion (which I got during school hours WHILE being supervised) just to "get out of" having to do things. 

This was a constant theme in every school I went to (and I went to several,  thanks to having parents who refused to accept the mistreatment I was experiencing).

It was a fun discovery at 34 to learn that lifelong unsupported autism could lead to a life threatening heart event. (Stress induced cardiomyopathy)

Thankfully, I have since learned how to get my needs met and I have clawed my way out of desperate survival to finally be living a life of comfort, peace, and happiness (self-actualization).

But had I not discovered I was autistic after that heart event, I could very well have landed in the hospital again, and perhaps not have been so lucky the next time.

Undiagnosed, unsupported neurodivergent people are dying every. day. 

By their brains and bodies failing them (like mine almost did), by substance overdose or other dangerous coping behaviors resulting in death, by giving up on life because the world has failed them and ending their own lives... 

People need to stop worrying so much about "all the people using neurodivergence as an excuse" and start thinking about what really matters...

The countless lives saved because people are FINALLY discovering why they have had lifelong struggles and how to FINALLY get the support they need.

If you're neurodivergent (autistic, adhd, or any other neurodivergence) I'm curious if you have a similar story. 

I feel like sharing our stories will help bring attention to what really matters when too much attention is being put on the wrong things.

And if you’re here, fighting for your life, just know that your presence in this world is valued. Truly. 

And I’m genuinely glad you’re here. ❤️