Between Spectrums
Love Is Available
Last night I watched a documentary called "Autism in Love" on YouTube. Appropriate, considering the mouth this is. The documentary tells three separate stories about people with autism as they go through the ups and downs in relationships. Each giving a unique perspective on how love works for people with autism.
Lenny - He has autism but he doesn't want to accept it cause he feels that mentioning it would ruin his chances for a decent relationship with a girl. He had a girlfriend in the past but it wasn't good for him. Through out the documentary, he couldn't find a girl but there is always hope.
Stephan - He's the type of person that doesn't express himself as much. But even with that struggle, he was still able to find love and was married to his wife, Gita, for seventeen years and had an apartment together. They were quite a couple together, till Gita had cancer. Since Stephan couldn't take care of her, Gita had to go to the hospital and he had to live with his parents. But he would still visit her and talk to her. Later on in the documentary, Stephan was told that Gita passed away. He didn't verbally express it but it really devastated him. He later got over it and continued on with his life. He still misses her but he doesn't let his loss take over him. While Gita was still alive she was asked how does she know if Stephan loves her without expressing it through words. Her answer was by the way he looks at her. By looking at her in a loving way, it gave her an assurance that he loves her.
Lindsey and Dave - Now that was an interesting thing to see. Both have autism but Lindsey's more artistic and Dave's more scientific. They've been together since 2005 and both have talked about the possibility of marriage. Through the documentary Lindsey had a concern that Dave wasn't really thinking about being with her. But that changed when they went to the spot where they took their first picture as a couple and he proposed to her.
After watching it I scrolled down the comments and found a comment that said "I will be alone forever because of my autism". I disagree with that idea. Autism doesn't make you impossible to love or be loved. Some might call it a good quality about you. The only thing that would make you alone forever is if you choose to have the mind set that no one wants to be with an autistic person. If you want to have a meaningful relationship then you shouldn't be afraid to ask people out. I go on a few dates myself. If I find the girl cute and fun to be around with, whats to stop me from asking her out. Autism isn't a road block nor should it be an excuse not to go on dates. Like Lenny, everyone's got a somebody waiting for them. Not necessarily soul mates just someone who can eventually love you. Love takes time to grow to the point where you want to be with that person forever, just like Lindsey and Dave. And like Stephan, even after death love can last a lifetime. So my suggestion is this, don't ever think that autism will never bring you love. Everyone can love and be loved. Including you
Thank you for you time
Tay Gallagher
To see "Autism in Love" click the link below
