Up close and personal meet Kris
Today on “Up Close and Personal,” I’ve got a little Q&A lined up with someone I know from Twitter—Kris. He’s always popping up on my feed chatting about life, work, autism, and non-league football, so I thought—why not get to know him a bit better and see what makes him tick?
So Kris, here are my questions for you, fella:
Firstly, thank you for the invite to be part of your blog.
QUESTION1. What was it like going for an adult diagnosis—a late one at that—for autism?
- After years of misdiagnosis for mental health conditions, it was a massive mix of emotions. Firstly, it gave me some possible clarity, with depression and neurodiversity intrinsically linked, but equally I felt a bit of a fraud because I had campaigned for years for mental illness issues, but I learned that what id experienced still mattered.
QUESTION2. How does your job affect your autism—or do you have the right support in place working on the trains?
Working on the railway sounds like a busy environment. Is it helpful or challenging with your autism? And do you feel like you get the right support from your workplace to make things easier?
2. Dealing with numerous unexpected issues. It allows me to step out of the situation and deal with things in order. I also wear my “I’m autistic, not rude” badge because I’m aware that sometimes i can come across as abrupt. Its all about ensuring my behaviour is understood and not used as an excuse.
I am part of a neurodiversity network group, so I get to suggest things that benefit both me and customers, and although its not an ideal relationship with management when it comes to reasonable adjustments, I do have support from colleagues which is so important to me and any imposter syndrome I may suffer from.
QUESTION3. On Twitter, I see you get out and watch your non-league football when you can—does this help you let off stress and worries?
Non-league football has its charm—proper community vibes. Is that your escape, your way to relax and recharge?
3. When it comes to ASD and footy, I said to the club the other day, shout out to Staveley MWFC, that its not easy to make somewhere so comfortable for neurodiversity folk but they do it. Social interaction is hard for me, but they’ve always made me feel so welcome and included. Supporting Norwich could be a massive drain emotionally, not just because of their performances. I almost felt like I had to confirm to a certain, perceived, version of a football supporter. I remember the first time I went in the supporters mini bus with Staveley, everybody was having fun and its just a day out, no pressure. In addition, my youngest is also AuDHD and hates social interactions, but he can’t wait to get to Inkersall Road (and away games), and i think that says so much also.
I get to express myself with no judgement. When I’ve expressed emotions on twitter, nobody at the club mentions it but have their ways of showing me I’m not alone. Its that sense of community and belonging that I think I need with the autism. I certainly wouldn’t walk in to Carrow Road and have the manager shake my hand and say its great to see me, or have the chairman buy me a drink for my birthday, its not feasible, but in non league; Its great football with a great vibe.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts, mate.
Kris is someone who shows up online as he is in person: honest, kind, and full of passion for the things he loves. It was a real pleasure to feature him here, and I hope you’ve enjoyed getting to know him a little better too.
Until next time—stay kind, stay curious, and if you’re ever looking for a good non-league game, you know who ask.
2 Responses
Dear John
I like football too, I have played rarely. My position was chief get the ball out the ditch. 🙂 I did not enjoy playing football much. I played other sports, often single side competitive.
I also think that kindness should be given and then kindness is more easily accepted by oneself.
I do not like to watch games, I like to see the scores. I then get the pattern for that week worked out. Extrapolations can be achieved to predict movements in the table next week. I quickly say. I do not gamble. I expect if you did you would keep it to yourself.
I like other people’s enjoyment of football. I also like people to feel their win, draw or loss. Feeling is emotion and people need this to bond.
Nice blog.
The picture is of a sign. The sign has been made by a person. It was created. Creativity is so important.
Dear John
Today I worked on some code.
The weather was picnic or donuts in the park.
I am very used to duty manipulating electrons whilst my friends, I imagine, are playing frisbee. Either very well or rather badly. Have you ever seen someone play solo frisbee? In the dark? In the snow?
I believe in legal and wholesome family entertainment which provides a continuity and conversation material in a community. I don’t talk sport much and most of my talking sport is questions.
I think I understand football. And it can be quite an emotive subject for some people.
I suppose the rules in football are the understandable part. Nothing like exploiting an obscure rule in a game and discovering a conversation with the Referee or VAR.
I am just remembering a story about football in foreign land.
I was in a tiny hotel in Japan, well the rooms were tiny and very compact.
As I sat in the breakfast room eating with the other guests on a table with 3 or so men dressed all in Black. They were speaking Espanol. I said “How are you?” in my best Spanish.
They blanked me. In some ways it was best because I could not say much else in Spanish, except ask for a cigar and yes.
It turns out from a conversation and extrapolation, they were in Tokyo for a Referee conference. They were in fact Mexican.
I suppose they were suspicious that I might influence a decision in a future game.
The picture is of a Starbucks cup taken in Kagoshima City. Strange who you meet in such a cool place. Another programmer, hey Junji.