New Year

2016 has been a difficult year for Autistic people and a lot of us are eyeing 2017 with misgivings.

There's so much that seems to be going wrong in the world right now and its difficult not to feel worried about what the rise of fascism will bring us in 2017. With Trump and his cronies in the driving seat of a powerful nation it's hard not to feel scared.

As someone who catastrophises by default it's hard not to forsee a terrifying near-apocalypse for human-rights. But it doesn't help to focus solely on that.

This year has seen the facebook-based Autism groups I'm a member of increase their membership massively and this is a good thing. More and more we're forming a sense of ourselves as Autistic people with a culture and community of our own. We come from all over the world and have vastly different upbringings and life experiences, but we're debating and discussing and supporting each other in a way that is truly awe-inspiring. This is how we stay strong. This is how we will survive. Together.
So while I know 2017 is without a doubt going to be tough, possibly tougher than 2016 (though I hate to even think it), we have good foundations to keep building on and that's something positive we can focus on to keep us on track in amongst the chaos.

This year I'm going to keep reminding myself of the good things, not because I'm ignoring the bad but because my entire outlook on life right now is filled with a massive panorama of the apocalypse, and for the sake of my mental health I need to bring myself back to the moment and remember the good stuff is still happening as well.

Best of luck to everyone in 2017. Stay strong and look after yourselves and each other.