Funny, this is the first time anyone has said, "Congratulations on your diagnosis." I never thought of it as something to congratulate anyone on. Over the years, I have gotten to know myself well enough to know that I have more to offer than I can show. There is always 'something' that has held me back, and 'something' that continues to hold me back.

To give a simple example. I'd love to go out again, and take photos. But suppose I was to say that tomorrow I want to go to a location 30 km from here, then it starts ... I don't have a car at my disposal, my partner takes the car to work. Okay, there is a scooter at home, but I don't know the way well and I don't have a navigation system on the scooter. Of course, I can print out a route, but I know myself ... that's not going to work. I am hopeless at navigating without a navigation system that tells me exactly where to go left and right. As a result, I'd have already developed so much stress and anxiety. Then there is the idea that I would have to leave Skipper home alone for more than a few hours, which I find so sad for him ... and that is of course the perfect excuse to calm my now half-strained nerves, and to say. "No, I can't go tomorrow. I can't leave Skipper alone for that long. I'll go on the weekend. Then I have the car." Knowing all too well that a hundred thousand other things have to be done on the weekend. And this is an example with something I love to do. Photography! Even this is such a challenge that is often impossible to overcome at the moment. Granted, that's not only the autism but also the situation. If I would have that car and navigation at my disposal, it would be less challenging. Also because I could take Skipper with me. It's not for nothing that I take fewer pictures, and more and more paint and pyrograph. Although photography still attracts me!

But yes, many things hold me back ... and I also know for sure that I am not using my full capacities. I hope for you that you can find a way to deal with it and to reach your full potential. It helps if there is someone next to you who supports and motivates you!