During Spring 2013, I was a typical bored Aspie finding things to do. I frequently read newspaper articles everyday trying to find something to do. Just until one day, I glanced at an article about 'youth', 'leadership' and 'program'. Then I made interests to apply for it and eventually got accepted!
During last week of January 2014, I spent entire week out in the wilderness - aka. away from the world - at west of Murwillumbah in beautiful Northern Rivers region - into a dense tropical rainforest! On very first day when I got there, I was feeling very nervous and point blank minded for meeting new people. There was around 100 of us, committed to spend a week together alone in the bush. My first thought was that I was going to do something new for the experience. So, there it goes!
On first two days it all about 'getting to know' each others. Its' something that I haven't done in my life, since the fact my social life is very minimal and restrictive. Indeed, there are wonderful people to come by. Purposely, this program is all about learning personal skills and development for being a committed, motivated and influential person. As a result of this it is great!
So, as being an Aspie during the week where that absolutely no know have any idea who I am. The challenge was that I experienced several up and downs situations. I am surrounded by strangers from various backgrounds every single hour creating alot of effort during my time trying to figure out what is going on. There is another factor about this this program is also making friends and build relationships. I felt effortlessly at these times when I try to make new friends. It like going to University all over again. It is extremely difficult how people going to be friends with me, since from my perspective I have absoulutely no idea how able bodied people sees the perspective from an Aspie's side.
It is indeed extremely hard, because many times when I hang out with different people during the week my brain function start over again and again. It is confusing. Later in that week I see groups formed between me, and I kept sitting in the middle figuring out what group I am in. I never knew if he or she is actually my friend or not. I don't have a skill, or someone expect me to read their minds how they feel me as a person.
However, this program did me really good. It is first time in my life I stepped out of my comfort zone speaking out about Autism and hearing loss in front of strangers. This made me feel more comfortable of what the world think of me. It is also a fortunate for these people learn about myself and be capable to understand diversity. This scenario has continued for several months after the week of RYLA before the reality becomes in force. I had to escape from many attendees who could not bothered talking to me again. I moved on.
This is best time in my life figuring out which person and whose is right or wrong for me to be friends with. In reality, its' very important time. I feel so appreciated of myself getting passed on that newspaper article because imagine this didn't happened I wouldn't be in this situation right now.
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Best time during the week I had a first prom date for my life! Yes, this is true because I never got a prom/formal partner when I was at high school and University. RYLA was a right time for everyone to know what challenges we need to face and get over with. Thank you Hayley for pointing me out and change our lives!
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