Imagine that you grew up as a child being sure that you were an alien. There was no where in this world for you to fit in and belong. Now imagine that as an adult you thought that if you could find the right words, to describe the world you lived in your head, you would be locked up as people would think you are crazy. The crushing isolation of only ever feeling lonely when you were with other people. Now imagine that as an adult you find out that you are autistic. You are not an alien or crazy, and most important, you find out you are not alone.
The difference in my life since I received my diagnosis and started to attend Group 48 is immense. I now actually have a social life and do not spend the majority of my time in my bedroom. I met my boyfriend at Group 48. I get the chance to meet with other autistics on a weekly basis, people that I was very quickly able to describe as friends. I see several members outside of the weekly group session; going to the cinema, comic cons, exhibitions, talks and even the odd drink at the pub. All the members of Group 48 are different, but there is an invisible thread connecting us all. How can you measure or quantify that? You cannot as it is immeasurable. Group 48 is not just a part of my social life it is a vital part of my life.
