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Autistic Ang's avatar

Thank you for sharing your experience during such a tough time. Your reflection on grief, distance, and the intense emotions we feel as autistics resonated with me. Balancing so much, especially under these kinds of circumstances, is quite challenging. What a powerful reminder of the deep connections and emotions we carry.

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Sam Galloway (she/her) ๐Ÿ’•'s avatar

Thanks so much ๐Ÿฅฐ

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Sarah Glasco's avatar

My dad passed away in Sept 2023 (my mom in 2020) and the haze of grief still feels heavy. But grief is a manifestation of love so I figure this time it feels more surreal than any other Iโ€™ve experienced because the love I had for my dad was so big. Neurodivergence intensifies that shit. We feel so much more intensely. Hope youโ€™re healing in your own ways and not letting anyone tell you should be โ€œcoming out of itโ€ after a year. ๐Ÿฉต

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Sam Galloway (she/her) ๐Ÿ’•'s avatar

Thanks, Sarah. I am so sorry to hear you've already lost both your parents. "Grief is a manifestation of love" is beautiful! Yep, it is extra full on through the ND lens!

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Sarah Glasco's avatar

Yeah processing who I am without my parents kind of did a number on me in ways I never fathomed. Itโ€™s surreal. My partner lost both his parents (in 2002 and 2006) and they come up in some story, in some way virtually every day.

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Sam Galloway (she/her) ๐Ÿ’•'s avatar

Wah, it is all too much! Thinking of you both. It is my Dad's first anniversary tomorrow...

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Swarnali Mukherjee's avatar

My heart goes out to you Sam. I know the pain and suffering of losing a parent traumatically, I know the pain of feeling the limitations of my capabilities to share my time with both sets of family. I must urge you to slow down and focus on your breath when you feel overwhelmed. Zen master Thich Nhat Hanhโ€™s mindfulness practices have helped me and still helping navigate these murky waters- https://youtu.be/I3SDyQNnjxU?si=eOWQAriWr9PWI6wc

I am sending lots of prayers and strength for you and your family to navigate through this grief. ๐Ÿ’œ

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Sam Galloway (she/her) ๐Ÿ’•'s avatar

Thanks Swarnali, I appreciate your recommendation. Iโ€™ll definitely watch this a couple of times over the weekend and try to add it to my emotional toolkit. Itโ€™s tricky with AuDHD to identify overwhelm in the moment. And itโ€™s astonishing how grief can trip me up when Iโ€™m going about an otherwise normal day ๐Ÿ’•

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Swarnali Mukherjee's avatar

I see you friend and I understand your suffering. Be patient with yourself and with time you shall float above all the rest that ails you. Stay in touch with your breath and body. Please feel free to reach out in case you feel like talking, there are no strangers in grief. My email: swarnali@berkana.cc

Look after yourself first, an empty cup cannot pour. Peace and healing sweet friend โค๏ธโ€๐Ÿฉน

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Genevieve's avatar

I thought i had the flu, my body ached particularly in my collarbone areas and I couldnโ€™t shake it, I then realized it wasnโ€™t the flu-it was the grief.

I also had been someone who needed to read books with no sound around me to suddenly not being able to read and finding myself scrolling and listening to audiobooks at the same time though having to rewind audiobook frequently.

My safe foods became unsafe textures and eventually found new safe foods.

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Sam Galloway (she/her) ๐Ÿ’•'s avatar

Iโ€™m so glad you realised it was grief. Knowing is all part of processing ๐Ÿ’•

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Debs's avatar

Oh boy, I can't even imagine. ๐Ÿ˜” I'm so grateful my parents left London when I was 5, my brother 8. But I've always felt like part of me has been missing. I've never been back. I'm grateful too that I was with my Dad when he died. I didn't deal well with the grief and I urge you to do better than I did, somehow. So, yeah, oh boy my friend - that's a lot to cope with. Xxxxxx

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Sam Galloway (she/her) ๐Ÿ’•'s avatar

How to deal with the grief, other than to wean my SSRI dosage back down so I can help feelings again..?! ๐Ÿ˜ญ xxx

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Sam Galloway (she/her) ๐Ÿ’•'s avatar

*have not help

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Emma Reynolds's avatar

I'm sorry you are dealing with so much. I'm glad you got those last moments with your dad.

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Sam Galloway (she/her) ๐Ÿ’•'s avatar

Thanks, Emma ๐Ÿ’•

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Jane Deegan's avatar

I'm so very sorry, Sam. Sending virtual hugs

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Sam Galloway (she/her) ๐Ÿ’•'s avatar

Thank you! ๐Ÿ’•

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Sam Galloway (she/her) ๐Ÿ’•'s avatar

Thanks for sharing your wisdom and kindness ๐Ÿ’•

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