Over the past few years, I have worked to improve my mental health. I have focused on enhancing my well-being. I am also changing the way I live my life. For far too long, I have been tethered to my mother. As I have begun to untether and start to live my life, I am still figuring things out. I am learning how to navigate and live in this big world.

Life does not come with an instruction manual. Learning how to navigate the social complexities of life is not straightforward. Neither is figuring out how to get through the things that I have to go through. It can be hard when there is not always a written plan to how things are to go through. I have been fortunate to have my parents, family and many others teach me the many ways of life. But those moments can be hard to navigate. They make getting through the day difficult.

So often I want to fit in this world when people themselves are just so complex to understand. Granted, autistic people are different in their own way. As we are all different, we try to exist in a world that is often not made for us. It is hard for neurotypical people to connect and be in this world. It is even more challenging for us as autistic folks. We strive to do the same and be accepted just as we are for who we are.

No one will ever try as hard as an autistic person when they are determined. This is often known when it comes to getting things done. We try so hard. We are often pushed down and discounted time and time again. This happens just when we are trying to connect and exist in the world. We often just want to belong and be part of the conversation. Many times, the way we carry ourselves prevents us from doing so. We do things differently, or our brains work in another way. It does not mean we are less than you. We are not here just to meet your needs.

We are people too. We have wants and needs. Sometimes that is just being part of the conversation and feeling like we belong. You should want to do it because you value us as actual human beings. We are not just someone who occupies space for what you need. We can be amazing if you give us a chance. Allow us to be who we want to be. Help us feel like we are part of a world that can be hard to join.

Your perceptions of our label or the way we carry ourselves do not define our worth. We are neither less nor lower than you. For the longest time, I struggled to understand why others are different and face more challenges. Eventually, I saw how hard it was for them to exist in this world. They often feel like they are less or low, just as I sometimes felt. I included them in the conversation. I learned how hard it can be to exist in this world. Sometimes, I just want that understanding too. But it is still hard.

I just want to learn to navigate this world in a better way. I want to be seen as the person that I am. I wish to bring value to the world. People can see what an amazing person I am if you open yourselves up. Give us a chance to be ourselves in this complicated world. It is so hard for us to exist in this world.