Actual conversation with my mother:

[conuly]

"You know, for a while a lot of people weren't sure you could ever get a job and survive on your own, but I don't think that's true anymore."

Given that I don't currently have a job (well, other than the obvious) and don't live on my own, this was not very reassuring.

In fact, I'm quite certain I could have happily gone my entire life without ever hearing this. Really. REALLY.

*headdesk*

Comments

[rantinan.livejournal.com]

Sounds as equally as bad as
"You can't be autsitic, you hold a job and are in a long term relationship"

Sighs. I cop this way to often. My boss got subjected to a litany of the side effects the pills I take to enable me to achieve holding, just so I could watch him squirm over the above.

[conuly]

On the plus side, I now can hold this comment from apparently my mom and whoever it is she was gossipping about me with (I think her coworkers...?) to anybody who assumes anything. "Yeah? Well, my own MOM thought I'd be totally incapable of getting a real job!"

I'm pretty sure whoever it was holding this opinion formed it back when I was in high school or the first part of college, when I was depressed a lot and prone to bouts of being scared and unwilling to go outside.

[rantinan.livejournal.com]

Interesting. Collage depression for you too huh? Was kicked off for me by one to many "but you're to smart to fail" comments after semester 2 of collage was a whitewash because of autistic not coping with the environment.
I keep meening to write about those couple of years, but thinking about them is ... not pleasant

[elfster.livejournal.com]

Wow... way to boost the ego there x.x.

My Mum was told that by a lot of my teachers including one who simply told her that I was "too dim to ever amount to anything" (while I was scoring 99% + on tests so go figure). Fortunately, my Mum thought it was all bollocks. I now live on my own and have a sufficiently paid job in support/sales.

[conuly]

Wow... way to boost the ego there x.x.

Well, I was assured that nobody thinks that anymore! Yay!

This was a few weeks ago. It came up naturally in conversation, but still....

[gingembre.livejournal.com]

In my mother's defense, I will say that what she thinks of (and is referring to) with "job" is VERY likely by default an office job or some close relative thereof. In other words, a situation where making money involves working extensively with other people often in close proximity. I am fairly certain that any alternate models of sustaining oneself did not even occur to her (starting her own business, etc.). And indeed, throughout high school and college, Connie's people-skills (and more importantly, tolerance level!) were very very poor. I have stories - these are what *I* pull up when people try to suggest that "well Connie can't be autistic because look how functional she is!"

All of which is to say, YES, you do quite well now Connie :-) both in public perception of your interactions as well as your ability to take time discreetly where you need it. And see? Nanen clearly needs to work on "appropriate conversation" more than you do. :-p

[lizziey.livejournal.com]

:/

Also, referencing another comment to this post: I think your people skills in school weren't too fucked, at least IN school itself, not outside of school during the same timeframe. You seemed to do just fine in chorus, and managed to fail scaring me off, so. :-p

[conuly]

I got worse in high school for a while, and that's the truth... despite being bullied a HECK of a lot less.

[lizziey.livejournal.com]

Well, yeah, but you were going to Stuy. I think you may have just gotten a bit overwhelmed. Idk.

[queenlyzard.livejournal.com]

*hugs* I think you'll do quite fine on your own. You're already being a good semi-mommy to Ana and Eva, and taking care of kids is harder than taking care of yourself.