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A review by she_loves_to_read
Strong Female Character by Fern Brady
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
4.0
"The public perception of autistics is so heavily based on the stereotype of men who love trains or science, that many women miss out on diagnosis and are thought of as studious instead."
In her unapologetically frank memoir, Fern takes us on her journey to an autism diagnosis, and it's far from an easy one. She highlights the vast misconceptions, misunderstandings, and challenges that she faces from being a very small child. Growing up in a world that was (and still is) woefully unequipped to deal with, not just mental health matters, but neurodivergency as a while. Especially for the female population.
Detailing her struggles in understanding why she saw the world so differently from others around her and how the lack of understanding, management, and more often than not, neglect from the very people who were meant to love, support and protect her. Causing her physical, mental, and emotional health to spiral out of control. Dangerously veering from one car crash to another, in an attempt to navigate a world that is more often than not, blind to the fact that there just isn't a one size fits all approach to life. And that by following that narrative and not providing funding, research, support, awareness, training and inclusively in all sectors. It's causing a great deal of harm to those most in need in society.
Fern's story is brutal, honest, shocking, thought-provoking, funny, endearing, inspirational, heart-wrenching, heartwarming, empowering, relatable, and everything in between. It's a story with an important message that needs to be told, heard, and listened to. Especially by the powers that be, medical professionals, mental health sectors, and educational settings the world over.
Lessons need to be learned, and I applaud Fern in speaking up and using her voice.
In her unapologetically frank memoir, Fern takes us on her journey to an autism diagnosis, and it's far from an easy one. She highlights the vast misconceptions, misunderstandings, and challenges that she faces from being a very small child. Growing up in a world that was (and still is) woefully unequipped to deal with, not just mental health matters, but neurodivergency as a while. Especially for the female population.
Detailing her struggles in understanding why she saw the world so differently from others around her and how the lack of understanding, management, and more often than not, neglect from the very people who were meant to love, support and protect her. Causing her physical, mental, and emotional health to spiral out of control. Dangerously veering from one car crash to another, in an attempt to navigate a world that is more often than not, blind to the fact that there just isn't a one size fits all approach to life. And that by following that narrative and not providing funding, research, support, awareness, training and inclusively in all sectors. It's causing a great deal of harm to those most in need in society.
Fern's story is brutal, honest, shocking, thought-provoking, funny, endearing, inspirational, heart-wrenching, heartwarming, empowering, relatable, and everything in between. It's a story with an important message that needs to be told, heard, and listened to. Especially by the powers that be, medical professionals, mental health sectors, and educational settings the world over.
Lessons need to be learned, and I applaud Fern in speaking up and using her voice.