Angel’s World

Some people have been asking me to write more about my day to day life, and so I’m going to be brave again and do it. If you want to learn what it’s like to be an autistic adult lost in the world, here’s what it is! 

I live on my own in an apartment in Vancouver, WA. I look a lot younger than I am, and I act much younger too, because it’s hard for me to stay still and because I’m socially and emotionally not like a typical adult. So a lot of people think I’m like Pippi Longstocking living alone and doing whatever I want… but I’m definitely old enough to be on my own!

Unlike most adults though, I do need a lot of help with day to day stuff. The person who helps me the most is Chuck. He lives in this building also. He’s an older guy with kids who are around my age. I met him right around when I moved in here, and after knowing me for a little bit, he voluntarily “adopted” me and I’ve spent most of my time with him ever since! I call him my “apartment dad” or my “other dad,” and sometimes I just refer to him as my caregiver. He’s the coolest. He has a plot in our community garden, and we grow all sorts of flowers and vegetables. We also have a whole ton of solar lights out there. It’s the spot where people like to hang out on summer nights!

I also have Jae, who is a lot, lot, lot like me in his brain, except without the autism, and he’s learned to manage it better than I have. He helps me a lot too… even just by talking with me and hanging out with me. It feels good to have someone who understands me. When I have a meltdown, Jae is one of the only people who is willing and able to help me calm down. 

Jae’s girlfriend Maggie is my friend too. She works at the restaurant at our building. All the people who work or hang out at the restaurant are my friends, and they help me in different ways. You’ll learn more about them eventually probably.

It’s 4 am and I haven’t slept yet, because I was celebrating Chuck’s birthday with his family. So I am going to go to sleep for now… but I’ll keep writing more if you check back later!

I hope you’ll come back!