Debt and Caring

savingholmes

Good luck with your future plans.

WelshmansDaughter

And... I'm back. Possibly. Lets see how this goes.

Way back when I started this diary I said my money problems came about as a result of emotional problems. Which wasn't quite the full story. 
My emotional problems are if anything, a very small piece of the puzzle. And so the next stage of my journey is going to be to have myself assessed for autistic spectrum disorder. 
This has been a long time coming and is something I really, really don't like talking about. Even though I know all of you will be nice 🤷
Financially it changes things. The assessment is private and will cost €850. I am on a waiting list for 4/5 months and so it will hopefully coincide with the payment of the support grant.
I will likely be buying more aids for myself (thanks badmemory for the prompt to check VAT, I am slowly making a list). Starting with the most expensive headphones I have ever bought (Amazon monthly payments) but so far have given me my life back in a way I did not know was possible. 
I am keeping it to myself IRL with the exception of a friend who already knew but I am going to try and be honest on here. Key word being try. 
So debt and caring will still be debt and caring but now I'm also caring for myself. Hopefully.

badmemory

My son wears ear plugs under his headphones, which seems to help.

WelshmansDaughter

badmemory said:

My son wears ear plugs under his headphones, which seems to help.

Yes I have done that as well. These headphones honestly take the stress of sound perception away almost entirely 

stymied

I honestly believe we’re all on the spectrum to a greater or lesser extent. I know I don’t consider myself to be neurotypical. It’s all about coping strategies and being kind to yourself. I’m glad the headphones are helping x

WelshmansDaughter

Well I suppose thats true in a way, the human brain can only do so many things. And where you sit on each thing is what determines your nature. 

savingholmes

I think quite a few people me included on here have ASD - but it can be used as a force for good -and once you know you can plan things better so it is less limiting... You can potentially access more support too - if you qualify for extra help.

WelshmansDaughter

ASD has been a huge advantage for me during my life. Trying to go against my nature has been the root of many an error.

I will confess that over the last few weeks I have spent quite a bit of money. For now I have accepted that these are steps I need to take to go to a place where I can do more. 
I may not know how much I have spent but I know what it has been spent on.
-bills have been paid. Some late.
-art supplies
-toiletries

-food

-books

-tea from coffee shops

Cherryfudge

Those sound like reasonable ways to spend money, @WelshmansDaughter. I'm planning on treating myself to some bits to try a craft project from a new book I've been given. I love being creative! And why shouldn't I spend time and money on developing that?

Enjoy your art, books and coffees.  

savingholmes

Life is for living too. Do what you have to - to enjoy it along the way - despite the many challenges