I am high functioning. I’m one of those that people like to point to and say it’s a superpower. I have a successful career as a network engineer because of my technical mind. I’m generally funny and can make people laugh. I’ve been happily married for 25 years. I’m not even bad looking.

I cannot drive without sunglasses. Light sensitivity means my eyes will tear up and force themselves closed in bright sun light. I wear flanged earbuds because I have auditory issues so loud sounds are painful and I can’t filter out background noise so in even slightly crowded spaces I become virtually deaf. I have an extremely sensitive gag reflex and have thrown up while brushing my teeth enough to a point where I will usually just power through and finish brushing my teeth. I have severe IBS-D and have spent more time in the bathroom than anyone should (smartphones became a life saver when they came along.). I have a kidney transplant and spent three years on dialysis because I have an autoimmune disorder called IGA nephropathy. I am left handed.

It’s not always what people view as the “main” issue, so much as all of the co-morbidities that go along with the issue.