The animal girl - An introduction — Scope | Disability forum
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The animal girl - An introduction

AnimalsAndMe
AnimalsAndMe Community member Posts: 7 Connected
All my life I've been different.

I learned at a different pace. And I struggled making friends. I couldn't keep up with the others. In secondary school I was bullied horribly. They called me names. The teacher shouted at me when I couldn't get any better than 3 on the bleep test in year 7. He said I wasn't trying. But I was doing my best. In year 9 teacher singled me out because I couldn't catch a ball. He handed me a tennis ball and told me to throw it against the wall until I caught it. I never caught it though. I was really trying so very hard. I went to an animal college (I was on an animal management course) and one of the tutors was bullying me. She singled me out in ways such as making me sweep grass on my own in front of the whole class. She gave me a sweeping brush that was bigger than me and told me to sweep out the pony stable alone. She refused to let people help despite the fact that I was struggling to do it. I told the other tutors about the bullying but they ignored me.

By the time I had left college my dad had been dating for a few months. She was mean to me. I came out as asexual in front of them both and she laughed in my face. She hated my guinea pigs that I owned. She made my dad take them out of my room and he put them in a cold doorway. I couldn't sleep after that.  She had a problem with everything I did. She got mad at me for watching sooty on the computer. She got mad at me for having my bed room light on when I was putting on my pajamas. She got mad at me for going to the toilet at night because the door was too loud. The door always got stuck when you tried to get out but that was somehow my fault. She got mad at me because I still had happy meals at McDonalds.

One morning I heard a loud noise coming from the front door. I went downstairs, opened the door and a for sale sign was up. Then my dad told me he was selling the house to move in with her. He said me and my big brother had to find somewhere else to live.

We ended up moving to a bad area which we still live in to this day. It's an upstairs flat. I couldn't cope. The change was too much. I got diagnosed with depression, put on antidepressants but it didn't help. I wanted to walk somewhere. Police found me 14 miles from home. I did that twice. I just couldn't cope. I got put on a psychiatric ward. Got told I was unwell. They said it was psychosis. Got put on antipsychotics. Didn't really help at all. Just felt like I was drugged. I was in and out of those wards five times in the space of five years. I got given a third diagnosis. Borderline personality disorder. And given a different antipsychotic to take. Then they said that they think they got it wrong.

They said they thought I had autism. I went for the initial screening and the assessor said to me. I had to come back again and then after that I would get the help I need. He said he believes I have autism. He told me that there's nothing wrong with me. I just think in a different way. He then said I'm on a really long waiting list and I will hear from them as soon as possible. But it's going to be a very long wait.

And that's me. I still live with my brother. He is my registered carer. Oh and my dad is married to  that woman.

Oh and the  animals part about me... Well I own a Jack Russell terrier, two guinea pigs, two rats and a rabbit. I understand animals better than people.
I am different from others, but that doesn't make me bad.

Comments

  • bevt2017
    bevt2017 Community member Posts: 324 Pioneering
    Hi @AnimalsAndMe

    Welcome to the community!
    I was so touched by your story I had to say hello.

    I'm so sorry you was treated that way. I had a step dad who verbally abused me, so I can relate.

    I'm sure more of the community will welcome you. 

    Good luck 
  • AnimalsAndMe
    AnimalsAndMe Community member Posts: 7 Connected
    Thanks @bevt2017

    I would've replied sooner. But I had an animal emergency.

    My pet rat had two seizures. The first one, she slipped and fell from the top platform of the cage to the bottom. I thought I was going to lose her but then she got up off the cage floor. Shortly after, she had another.

    My local gets were useless. It was before 8am. I phoned out of hours and the receptionist said that if I want the vet to just come out i would have to pay £160 and that's before the cost of diagnosis. So I waited till 8 and they said the lady qualified to work with data doesn't do Thursday' s.

    I took her to a different get and got in right away. She has epilepsy. He said she was going to be okay and that she is in otherwise perfect health. But she is on cage rest for two weeks which means I had to put her in a smaller single level cage so she couldn't climb and hurt herself if she had another seizure. He said it she has anymore seizures I have to take her back and only then will there be talks about medication.

    They only charged £19 and I got in today.

    Sorry I rambled. I just don't like seeing any animal unwell. And she's not even a year old.
    I am different from others, but that doesn't make me bad.
  • thespiceman
    thespiceman Community member Posts: 6,388 Disability Gamechanger
    Hello @AnimalsAndMe Pleased to meet you welcome.  So sorry what has happened to you. Being myself mistreated and bullied by people . Plus certain family and the using and abusing. I can understand.  Because it never goes away.

    You never forget the pain still remains and no matter what you still want to go on and try to cope . The need to talk and express how you are and how the day is and mainly just talking. Helps every time.

    Having read your story all I can say we are a supportive friendly community.

    Always here for a chat, listen and anything else you wish to say.

    Plenty of animal lovers here and everybody is caring and concerned.

    You will meet members of the community and have had experiences like yourself. So you are among friends here.

    You can feel safe and secure and I use this forum myself to help me through the day.

    You have already met @bevt2017 one of my friends and please can I add. Has pictures of her dog on one of the posts.

    Great pictures by the way.  Under Reasons to be cheerful I think.  Saw that the other day.

    Please can I also say have a look at PDSA website I think they help those who are on low income for welfare of their animals.

    Might be a nearest branch to you if that helps.

    Please take care and if you need to ask anything . Any body will be here to answer including myself.

    Hope and pray always in thoughts

    @thespiceman
    Community Champion
    SCOPE Volunteer Award Engaging Communities 2019
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  • bevt2017
    bevt2017 Community member Posts: 324 Pioneering
    Hi @AnimalsAndMe

    Sorry for the late reply.

    Oh dear! Sounds like you've had a very stressful day.
    Aww I'm glad your Rats are ok ?
    I know the vets can be very expensive.
    I've never had rats, my sons have had hamsters. Maybe you could look into getting some pet insurance? Just in case.

    Hi @thespiceman

    Yes I have a little chihuahua called Bella, love her to bits.

    Had a really busy day yesturday.
    My daughter had her tournament and my sons prom.
    I will chat with you later.

    Take care animals and me 
    Bev x
  • Pippa_Alumni
    Pippa_Alumni Scope alumni Posts: 5,793 Disability Gamechanger
    Hi @AnimalsAndMe, welcome to the community! It's great to have you here.

    Thank you for sharing your story with us- I hope you find comfort in being a part of our community, as we have plenty of friendly members who are always up for a chat. Do get involved, and if we can be of any assistance, just let us know!
  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,638 Scope online community team
    Hello @AnimalsAndMe
    Great to meet you. We are a really friendly bunch! Let us know if we can help with anything! This is our dog, she is a moody old lady now and pretends that she is deaf!
    Scope
    Specialist Information Officer and Cerebral Palsy Programme Lead

    'Concerned about another member's safety or wellbeing? Flag your concerns with us.

    Want to tell us about your experience in the community? Talk to our chatbot and let us know. 
  • AnimalsAndMe
    AnimalsAndMe Community member Posts: 7 Connected
    Thank you all for welcoming me and for your kind words.

    I won't be posting much on Fridays and Saturdays. I volunteer at a small pet shop on those days. I will be setting off very soon. I find socialising to be quite scary so I avoid it. But animals... Animals are my thing. I know so much about them. So being able to see them find a Family is amazing. And I can help people by giving them advice.

    @Richard_Scope your dog is adorable!
    I am different from others, but that doesn't make me bad.
  • Richard_Scope
    Richard_Scope Posts: 3,638 Scope online community team
    Thanks, @AnimalsAndMe!
    Scope
    Specialist Information Officer and Cerebral Palsy Programme Lead

    'Concerned about another member's safety or wellbeing? Flag your concerns with us.

    Want to tell us about your experience in the community? Talk to our chatbot and let us know. 

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