I Couldn't Help Being Different

Question 1

I couldn’t help being different.

Answer 1

You might see a normal boy on the outside, but my brain is in a whole different world to yours.

Question 2

I have autism, it makes me more sensitive to my surroundings and the only way my brain can cope is to be very cautious about absolutely everything.

Answer 2

But don’t think I am sad. I am satisfied with who I am, despite what anyone else thinks and I will always be.

Question 3

Some people don’t like me this way. I have understood that will be a battle I have to fight, probably for a life time.

Answer 3

I have understood that will be a battle I have to fight, probably for a life time.

Question 4

In my infancy, I would be as quiet as a mouse around my home.

Answer 4

In contrast my sister would always make a scene like an idiotic puppy.

Question 5

I would move past her without a word.

Answer 5

Unsurprisingly, my parents were worried about my lack of sense of humour.

Question 6

Like madly twittering birds they bickered with each other.

Answer 6

I was taken to a specialist then and diagnosed with my problem.

Question 7

As I progressed through school, I began to face problems.

Answer 7

They all knew about my diagnosis of autism.

Question 8

Posturing parents, sneering students and teasing teachers tortured my brain with misery.

Answer 8

I walked treacherous corridors like a crippled man waiting for death to greet him with kind arms. Classrooms were rooms full of brooding devils, waiting for people of difference like me to take as a new victim. Without any friend to turn to I suffered the daily torture of cruel comments. As if I were a toddler they would mock me like parrots and snatch my burdensome bag to graffiti it and to steal my possessions.

Question 9

I walked treacherous corridors like a crippled man waiting for death to greet him with kind arms.

Answer 9

Classrooms were rooms full of brooding devils, waiting for people of difference like me to take as a new victim.

Question 10

Without any friend to turn to I suffered the daily torture of cruel comments.

Answer 10

As if I were a toddler they would mock me like parrots and snatch my burdensome bag to graffiti it and to steal my possessions.

Question 11

But I am far away from this now.

Answer 11

My family have moved to a village up north where emerald grass and gently swaying trees litter the landscape rather than shiny plastic bottles and cigarette stumps that provide the landscape of the miserable towns.

Question 12

I am now home schooled by my caring mother rather than a misunderstanding teacher.

Answer 12

I feel safe anywhere I go.

Question 13

I can be me.

Answer 13

I can make a new start to my life and be an average citizen.

Question 14

I am excited, more excited than ever before, about being seen as someone who is different but accepted.

Answer 14

I hurt no one.