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Sunshine Weirdo's avatar

This might be the most validating post I’ve read in years. I’ve never heard anyone describe the blend of autism, ADHD and PDA before. At least one of them is always missing and that makes such a difference to the life experience. Thank you for writing this.

I’m 7 years into deep burnout and currently unable to work or do hobbies but this gives me hope. Now I need to find someone who writes about all of this and physical disability… or maybe I need to write it.

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Anissa Ljanta's avatar

Yay. I’m glad you felt seen. Like many of us, I manage fibro, hEDS+ so if you stick around Wild of Brain world there will likely be a bit of that too. But yes, write! More voices are needed I reckon

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Rachel Ruckstuhl-Mann's avatar

Yes! Yay for terms that reflect my body! Looking forward to driving deeper into some of these links. The Joy Uprising podcast also gave some support a few years ago with recognising the power and need for joy. Working within Circus and Whare Tapere spaces also has woven me into an ethics of joy as an essential human experience that has been sidelined or actively repressed through colonisation, and Protestant values of "productive" work/labour equalling value. Thank you again. Receiving much from your words and your attention, intention, super focus and honest vulnerability. Xxx

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Anissa Ljanta's avatar

Yes, yes, yes to your observations. I agree. We lose joy to our detriment. There is a reason I was a circus street performer back in the day. Children are still connected to their need for play and joy, somewhere along the way we learned that 'growing up' means leaving joy behind.

I'm off to add The Joy Uprising podcast to my Spotify. Thank you for the rec and the kind words. I feel seen! x

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Sam Galloway (she/her) 💕's avatar

Thanks, this is so helpful! Are you homeschooling alongside all this? I homeschool my two and am in chronic burnout and the second month of chemical autistic menopause. Everyday is a struggle!

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Anissa Ljanta's avatar

So glad sharing this was helpful to you Sam. I bet there is struggle, that's a lot. We homeschooled and had an awesome unschool/homeschool community until high school. The teen's story is his own but I can say he's mostly home atm. I hope you manage to find some joy in your days, ride it for all it's worth!

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