After a lifetime of being an overachiever who would work herself into the psych hospital, I was diagnosed as Autistic at age 48 – which changed everything. I now understand my path was set from the get-go to be rough: my parents came from very traditional cultures and carried both generational and deep family trauma (my father was estranged from his family, eldest sister was killed before I was born, my middle sister was murdered in a drive-by shooting when I was a young adult). My misdiagnoses (as Bipolar, with Borderline Personality Disorder) and my bouts of addiction (painkillers, been sober for 15 years) were my coping strategies, ways to contend with a world not designed for my brain. Whether you need a no judgement pair of ears or a compassionately honest supporter to walk alongside you, I’m honored to take that role.