It can be hard to believe that I have been working for a decade and a half. Over those years there have been so many changes as far as my work is concerned and how I go the daily scope of operations. From not feeling that I could do the job, to wanting to leave it to accepting that things can change for the better, I am still there and thriving better than ever.

It can be hard to realize that in the beginning there were times when I worked only 3 hours a week and often more times than not, I did not even do that. Anyone that is autistic that would go straight into my line of work would not think that it was made for me. But I touched it out and made it the best of it. Eventually, I got better at going to work, but then there were other challenges that came in the path of navigating the social landscape at work, but eventually I understood how to set better boundaries around how to navigate them.

Then there were the times when I was not caring for my mental health and others became concerned. This has happened several times once becoming independent. Eventually I realized that taking care of my mental health is paramount in ensuring that I could go to work and be the person that I was expected to be. I am grateful to those that reached out to those in my treatment team to make sure it was known that I was caring for myself. I eventually got the hint of my mistakes and made sure to never do them again.

Then there came the other struggles that I faced with transportation through the day service and how much I wanted to quit my job because of how it was such a struggle, but since the change to the county shared ride system last year, those feelings have disappeared though I had negative feelings towards those behind the change for some time, in the end I learned that it was for the best and am doing much better because of it.

This year has also brought many changes to the makeup of my team, including having a new supervisor. While at first, I thought this would be a challenge, eventually it was an easier transition, and things became easier to handle to manage through more streamlined processes. While change is never easy for autistic people such as myself, I have learned that through changes not only within the workplace internally, but also with partnering systems have occurred, it can be a good thing and bring new eyes to how to remedy challenges that we may have had in the past.

In the end, I am grateful for my job, and plan on continuing to work as long as possible. It can be hard that 15 years ago I did not even want to work to know I cannot wait to go to work and make the best of the day. It is all in finding the right spot and the right circumstances to make the place of employment enjoyable for all. In the end, if you keep the hope up and make the best of the situation that has been handed to you, it will work out in the end and be the best thing for you. Work has been one of the things that have been beneficial in my life.