Month: February 2020

Co-written with Jordyn Pallett. You can find more of Jordyn’s writings at https://jordynsrockyjourney.wordpress.com

G: Love to spend time with my boyfriend even though it is really difficult to do the things that we want to do together because it is not easy for our bodies to coordinate themselves.

J: Either we could be caringly concerned that our plans don’t match what actually happens or we could go with the flow and support each other.

G: It is awesome to care for each other so much that we can give up our own ideas and adjust to our needs as needed.

J: I love that our main want is togetherness. Sometimes that looks like me in a ball of covers in my bed while Graciela is going for a long walk on the beach or a trail. My body isn’t as much of a morning person as she is.

G: Because these differences are ingrained in us, it is necessary to be sometimes open to doing things separately in order to be able to have some great times together when your bodies have gotten what they each need.

J: Joy is caring so much it doesn’t matter what we do as long as we are close. I am too lucky that I get times like these.

G: I agree.

J: Caring for someone so much that you can only see every once in a while, makes the emotions when you can that much more intense. Love has a way of making good intense joyous emotions trigger crazy body shenanigans.

G: We have more than enough personal experience with this craziness to write the best paper on it.

J: If only the research gurus would interview us.

G: A lot of the experiences we have should be more thoroughly researched.

J: Do you think that emotional dysregulation is real? We know it is, and need time with each other to regulate ourselves to be able to do the things we want. Time is our friend.

G: It is amazing to be given the opportunity to work through our excitement and emotions to be able to be together.

J: Can you believe we are almost two years into our relationship and I have trouble keeping my arm around her or holding her hand, because I so love her? Good thing she is patient! and has her own pesky body. So, while our bodies may hijack our intentions, I just want to say that every moment is magically delicious with her.

G: I am too grateful for such a loving and understanding boyfriend. A great world is one in which we are loved for who we are, because that is enough!

J: I agree! Could not have said that better. For clarification, the part about a great world being one of joyful accepting love and the part about being grateful, but sub in girlfriend for boyfriend.

G: Love it! 

Jordyn & Graciela

Going to the prom is every girl’s dream. A lot of the dreams I have are so difficult to achieve because my body is always making it so hard to do what I am trying to do. However, sometimes great opportunities come along and work out for me. One of these opportunities is the Night to Shine prom. I went on Friday and it was awesome! 

A lot of the day was spent waiting with anticipation and excitement, which was so tough. Like many others I have the hardest time trying to contain my excitement. Butterflies make themselves busy in my stomach and my body tingles with nervous and awesome energy. So much of my nervousness was centered around meeting the person who would be my date and buddy for the night. No one is here to judge but my date and buddy last year was too old!  I want to be me and the best way for me to do this is to make many connections with other lively people my age. 

Many wonder what it is like to sit and not see other kids my age often since my school day is spent with my mom at home. This isn’t too bad for my sensitive nervous system but it’s awful for my social life! So many days I think about the social life that I miss out on by staying at home. Life is full of opportunities though and it is many times worth taking advantage of these opportunities whenever you can. My life is much richer when I am able to really live it. 

I was nervous last year and thought my mom had made a big mistake in signing me up to go, but it was interesting to see the beautiful dresses on the gorgeous girls and the many tuxedos making the boys so handsome. In the end, it was an amazing night! 

This year, having to stay calm throughout the day was not easy. Waiting is so hard! My body was spending time managing my emotions while my mind was thinking about the possibilities that the night might bring to my world. This excitement kind of got me too excited. Fortunately, I have more control over my emotions these days and I was able to reign in my body. 

The moment I met my date and buddy the nervousness dissipated. There was her beautiful smile that set me in motion for a great connection. My smile had to be so huge because she came off immediately as genuinely kind. That was the moment I knew I could have the best time. And I did! I think that she did too.