This is so relatable. I was diagnosed at 49, and the grief is real. But what else is real, is as sucky as it was growing up being misunderstood, we made it. And we probably picked up some skills along the way that we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to learn otherwise. Thanks for a thoughtful piece ❤️
Absolutely! I genuinely believe I can figure out a way through anything for me and my family now. Our house could burn down tomorrow* and we'd be fine. When you spend a lifetime pushing through you end up with a strong backbone.
Love your illustrations. As soon as I saw them I thought 'this human person needs to be working on a book'. Then I read your About. Look forward to the results!
Helen, your piece struck a powerful chord. You capture the intersection of righteous anger and long-overdue validation with clarity and compassion. Framing the late-diagnosis journey not as a trend but as a reckoning feels both accurate and necessary. The grief, creativity, frustration, and fierce self-advocacy you highlight don’t just resonate—they roar. This isn’t a fad; it’s a collective unearthing, and your writing holds space for that beautifully. Thank you for lending voice to the inner child in all of us who quietly fought to be understood.
This is so relatable. I was diagnosed at 49, and the grief is real. But what else is real, is as sucky as it was growing up being misunderstood, we made it. And we probably picked up some skills along the way that we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to learn otherwise. Thanks for a thoughtful piece ❤️
Absolutely! I genuinely believe I can figure out a way through anything for me and my family now. Our house could burn down tomorrow* and we'd be fine. When you spend a lifetime pushing through you end up with a strong backbone.
*preferably not though, knock on wood.
Yes, we’re amazing problem-solvers!
Your drawings are amazing!!!! I have structural dissociation from trauma as well as ADHD so the waves one really spoke to me.
I’ve never heard of structural dissociation before. I’ll be googling that asap.
And thank you!! The drawings really help me get my thoughts in order.
Love this! ❤️
Thank you! 😊
Love your illustrations. As soon as I saw them I thought 'this human person needs to be working on a book'. Then I read your About. Look forward to the results!
Ah thank you! This human person is working hard on a book and really appreciates the boost of confidence. 😆
Helen, your piece struck a powerful chord. You capture the intersection of righteous anger and long-overdue validation with clarity and compassion. Framing the late-diagnosis journey not as a trend but as a reckoning feels both accurate and necessary. The grief, creativity, frustration, and fierce self-advocacy you highlight don’t just resonate—they roar. This isn’t a fad; it’s a collective unearthing, and your writing holds space for that beautifully. Thank you for lending voice to the inner child in all of us who quietly fought to be understood.
Sar thank you! It’s so incredibly validating to connect with other women who are going through this. This such a dual sword of anger and relief.