Back in 2003, Christine Miserandino came up with the Spoon Theory to explain what living with a chronic illness is like. Since then, it's also been applied to neurodiverse people. Basically, spoons represent the energy—whether physical, mental, or emotional—that we have available at any moment. At any time, I might have ten spoons, but if I'm feeling mentally or emotionally drained, that can quickly drop to just one or two spoons. This has shown me how to respect my boundarie

Feeling Empowered in My Health Journey Now that I've been diagnosed with ACC and ASD, going to the doctor for my physical needs is way better. Before I knew what was going on, I never really got around to asking questions about my health or working well with the medical system. It was like I was just floating through appointments, not really sure what to ask or how to express my concerns. But now that I know what's going on, I feel so much more empowered! I've taken the time

Working While Disabled While everyone's experience having a DCC and working, or trying to work, is unique, this is my story. You know, it’s kind of wild how each person’s journey can be so different, yet we all share some common threads. I've touched on some of my past jobs in other posts, but let me tell you, every single job I ever landed came with its own set of challenges. I was always pretty good at selling myself during the interview process—like, I could charm the sock

One of the things I value the most is the practice of meditation and mindfulness in my daily life. It's like a little oasis of calm in the midst of all the chaos that can happen day-to- day. You know, you don’t have to link meditation to any specific spiritual journey unless that’s what you’re into. There are so many ways to approach it, and honestly, it can feel a bit overwhelming at times. But for me, I like to keep it simple and just focus on my breath. It’s like the easie

I'm really grateful for a lot in 2026. I've got a place to live, food to eat, and a stability I didn't have when I was younger. Finding out I had ACC was probably the biggest turning point for me. I'm glad I realized I'm different, not less or broken. It was such a huge change that in many ways, I feel like a new person, or at least I see the world differently than I did years ago. The change, for one, was an internal one, not necessarily a change in my outer life (that would

My Journey into Emergency Medical Services As a teenager, I had high hopes for myself, even amidst all the issues I was having. I was totally obsessed with Emergency Medical Services and wanted to become a paramedic. I remember the excitement I felt every time I saw an ambulance rush by with its lights flashing and sirens blaring—it was like a calling for me. At 18, I entered the County's EMT training school, which was a big step toward making my dreams come true. The progra

Challenging Societal Views on Disability It’s pretty frustrating how society tends to look down on people with disabilities, right? We often get labeled as a burden or a leech, like we’re just sitting around and taking advantage of the system, getting “something for nothing.” It’s all based on these ridiculous standards of productivity that come straight from a capitalist mindset, where your worth is tied to how much you can produce or contribute economically. But honestly,

Neurodiversity is all about the idea that everyone sees and interacts with the world in their own unique way. There's no single "correct" way to think, learn, or act, and these differences aren't seen as flaws. Being 'neurodivergent' isn't an insult at all. It just means I'm not your average person; I'm unique compared to the usual crowd. Neurodivergent folks can totally rock it and achieve amazing things in all sorts of areas. Examples are Temple Grandin, Sir Anthony Hopkins

Embracing My Inner Child I’m a 64-year-old guy, but let me tell you, there’s a much younger kid hanging out inside me. I’ve got this little boy who just never wanted to grow up, and honestly, I think he's pretty cool. You know how psychologists chat about this concept of having an 'inner child'? Well, mine is alive and kicking! Sometimes, I find myself reflecting on the whole idea of the end of innocence, and it hits me hard. I can’t help but mourn for that boy who never got

I've realized I need to show appreciation to everyone who helps and supports me. I haven't said this in a long time. I've spent a lot of my life thinking about how others see me. Byron Katie mentions that there's 'God's business, your business, and my business,' and we end up causing ourselves pain when we don't 'stay in our own lane.' It's some of the best advice I've ever received. Finding My Way with a Little Help You know, it’s funny how life works sometimes. It feels li

Ableism is basically when everything around us is designed with the idea that there's just one "normal" way to have a body, mind, or brain, and anyone who doesn't fit that mold is seen as less capable, less valuable, or needing to be "fixed." It's not just one thing; it pops up in all sorts of ways, from the systems we deal with every day to the stories we hear and the messages we end up believing. Systemic Ableism Let’s dive into systemic ableism. This is all about the big p

Reasons for Writing This Blog My reason for writing this blog is several fold. First and foremost, I want to share my unique perspective as an adult living with Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum (ACC). This condition shapes my daily experiences and understanding of the world in ways that I believe are worth sharing. By opening up about my journey, I hope to shed light on the nuances of living with ACC, which may not be widely understood. Secondly, I aim to reach out to other ad

There's this thing going around in neurodiverse communities where people say, "I wouldn't change anything about myself because then I wouldn't be me." I have a bit of a problem with that. Considering all the heartache and struggles I've been through, and what my parents had to deal with because of it, I'd definitely want to change some things. Reflecting on Life with ACC You know, I often find myself daydreaming about how different my life might have been if I hadn’t been bo

Remember Bill Murray in Groundhog Day? Well for me I wish everyday were Groundhog Day. I've reached a stage in life where sticking to the same foods, activities, and experiences feels comforting. If I want to try something new, I need to give myself at least a week's heads-up. It's just that neurodivergent resistance to change kicking in. I used to think this was a limitation for me; rather it is the boundaries I have created for my own protection. I hit the sack right at 8:5

You know, sometimes I find myself in this weird position where I feel like I have to justify my lifestyle choices, especially when I’m looking at folks who are neurotypical. It’s like, why do I even bother? Honestly, trying to explain myself usually ends up doing more harm than good. This whole thing really hits home when it comes to work and jobs. Growing up, I was always told that the secret to success was simple: just "get a job and work hard." Sounds easy enough, right? W

Discovering My Neurodivergence Later in Life Hey there, fellow DCCers and neurodivergent friends! Let’s chat about something that’s been a real game-changer for me. So, I found out I have Agenesis of the Corpus Callosum when I was 46. Now, you might be thinking, “Why does that matter now since you’re older and have lived your life?” Well, let me tell you, that diagnosis was like a light bulb going off in my head. It was honestly the start of my life in many ways. Making Sens

Literal thinking is when people understand words, questions, and instructions exactly as they're said, without considering any hidden or implied meanings. It is a common way It's raining cats and dogs many neurodiverse individuals think. Once we get the context it can be easier to understand the figurative meaning of things. With ACC, things like sarcasm, idioms, and metaphors need a bit more social or cultural understanding, which can sometimes leave us puzzled or slow us do

One of the most frustrating things I've come across as someone on the autism spectrum, , is when people casually say, "but you look normal," or brush it off with, "everyone is a little autistic." These comments, even if meant to be nice or supportive, can really hurt because they show a big misunderstanding about what it's like to live with invisible disabilities. Invisible disabilities like autism and DCCs aren't obvious at first glance. They're beneath the surface, which of

Journey to Self-Discovery: Navigating Adulthood and Personal Responsibility Maturity didn’t come easy for me. When I turned 18, I got kicked out of the house, but honestly, I wasn’t ready to take care of myself at all. There’s this saying about DCCs that you should “expect their teens in their twenties.” For me, it was more like my thirties, but whatever… My parents even gave me a big chunk of cash to help me 'settle down, get a job, and face the 'real' world.' At the time, I

If I could hop in a time machine, there are so many things I’d want to change! Back in the 1960s, people really didn’t have a clue about the brain, and when it came to Disorders of the Corpus Callosum, forget about it! It was like a black hole of knowledge. Then, in the 70s, I got smacked in the head by a foul softball ( not my best moment), and they decided to give me a CT scan. The doctor looked at my parents and casually said, “Well, he walks, he talks, he must not need th