… Sometimes I would meet someone with autism – usually a young boy – and feel a sense of recognition, but I would swiftly brush the thought away. How could I have issues with communication when words are my trade?
It was a bout of ill health, in 2012 that ultimately led to my diagnosis. I had always had digestive problems, but they became much worse and required surgery.
I was told I have Ehlers Danlos Syndrome (EDS), a rare genetic connective tissue disorder, which affects pretty much every part of my body, causing gastroparesis – where the digestive system simply shuts down – knees that dislocate and autonomic issues, including difficulty in regulating temperature and heart rate.
I reacted with typical lack of emotion, but set about learning everything I could about the condition.
