Just a Rant!

One of the benefits in life is the means of travel.  One of the hardest things is being able to afford enough money to go overseas and get out of Australia!  I have been fortunate to visit many overseas destinations and avoid such mediocre and boring expressions of "she'll be right mate", "No Worries" and being called mate too often.  In my opinion using the word mate is a put down.  It attempts to pull rank and not allow anyone to rise above or break the mold so to speak.

I don't see any problems with introducing the Honours System but like the currency, it needs a total reform.  People of experience with professional background as well as others should be selected.  Too often recognition seems to go not to people who really deserve them.  I can think of many people I know who work tremendously hard who just don't seem to get a mention at all. In terms of Knighthoods, why couldn't Ben Roberts Smith, Barry Humphries, Ken Rosewell or Judith Durham receive one?  Surely worthy Australians who have contributed to society are worthy?

I would suggest reviewing the Honours System having a two tiered system similar to what has happened in New Zealand as well as looking at the way New Zealand has reformed its coins.

I also believe that Australia's currency is in need of reform.  All coins should be reformed with the 5c going out of circulation.  The 50c piece should really be roughly the size of the $2 coin with smaller coins being less in size.  Keep the $1 coin the same but for other coins make them smaller so that the coins don't look at of sync and confusing.

In terms of a Republic, I cannot see the need to change.  What is instead needed is a review of the electoral system.  Why not introduce the "First Past the Post" system where if a member receives enough votes they win the constituency rather than a preferential system which is flawed and open to misconduct?  Furthermore should voting be made voluntary with a better education of how the political system works for after all people are just going to have more contempt if something is forced on them?

Education should also be reformed with Primary School being a focus on the foundation years, Secondary School the specialization of further learning and then a decision made as to whether to attend university, undertake a trade or just find employment.  Once again if young people are forced to attend university they will just have contempt for it.

My final point is to see the re-introduction of National Service.  For all young people, especially young men, National Service would be a means of men working together and growing in confidence, leadership and self esteem.  This me focused and I'm right attitude really just doesn't belong here. It creates more problems and fuels anti social behaviour.  There simply is too much focus on materialism, sex and man up nonsense.  National Service doesn't necessarily imply using a rifle and crawling in trenches, it more so encourages self esteem, confidence, and self discipline.  Spending a few hours per week or a weekend, in team building skills and learning leadership wouldn't really hurt anyone.  It also would instill a sense of respect and build upon a person's foundations.  The world has become too serious and I believe people just don't communicate with each other enough.  We are social creatures and shouldn't really be cruel to each other.

I also think that a young person should be afforded the opportunity of having a job and being encouraged to be responsible when it comes to managing expenditure and debt.  Too often people borrow money and don't really earn it or live within their means.  I think that being responsible would help to ensure that a person feels a greater sense of self worth if they earn and spend wisely.

I think the Australia today is not something which I like. People have become very selfish and don't seem to care enough about others around them.  I also think that when there is a sense of not feeling safe and old infrastructure being demolished that people start to feel they are losing their identity. When you knock down old buildings you also knock down people with them.  A lot of old infrastructure needs to be preserved and careful consideration and planning is required when new buildings are being erected.

In all honesty I would like to see more pride and respect in people.  I think people have become too serious and easily offended.  People need to watch more comedy and learn to lighten up more.  Also neuro diversity and this Tall Poppy Syndrome has to go.  I don't consider myself to be self conscious of how well I am educated but more so how I stand on my own morals. If people don't like or care for what I believe in and stand for, I simply just don't care.  If we want a better world then people simply have to pull their socks up and start to become better people. Surely this is not hard to do and just involves a bit more thinking!????

The She'll Be Right Flawed System

For a young person who is an entrepreneur or the person who is a business owner one of the ways to better employ people and grow your business is to significantly reduce red tape, and too much paperwork.  In Australia the problem I see is a lack of flexibility and too much regulation of the labour market.  For a small business owner, they should be able to grow their business by means of investing more valuable time and energy into ways of making their business become more competitive and economically viable.  Furthermore employing a person or persons should not involve endless paperwork and satisfying unrealistic requirements.

To employ people less regulation and paperwork needed.

 What I think is needed in Australia is also a more flexible wage and enterprise bargaining agreements.  For instance, if a young person wants to work they should be able to work within a framework that allows them entry into the labour market.  Furthermore I see Australia's labour market as existing in the C19th.  The 9am to 5pm model does not suit everyone.  There is very little or no flexibility and for a person with a disability (ability) or challenges, entry to the labour market just seems impossible.  Not everyone can nor wants to work in a system that disallows flexibility and incentive.  If you want to get more people into employment then surely the answer is to make the workplace more flexible to begin with?

Unions seem to exist in the past in many ways.  Instead of seriously investigating a way of making workplaces for flexible and assisting with increasing productivity, more valuable time and energy is spent on criticizing political parties.  Belonging to a union should be to stand up for your rights to ensure a safe and fair workplace. Also more of a focus on staff development should be encouraged than just worrying primarily about your pay packet at the end of every pay cycle.  It is just frustrating not being able to better utilize intellectual capital and incentive.  

What do I suggest then?

From observation, promotion and incentive should be based on work performance.  If a person works hard in their job then why not encourage them based on merit to better improve?  Why  not allow for more recognition of ability and furthermore assist them to be better cohesive in the overall scheme of things?  Why not also encourage greater participation of persons with disabilities into the workplace by removing unnecessary over regulation, red tape and bureaucracy?  For a young person starting off in a business,why not allow them to build upon their foundation within their business by allowing for more competition and a means of growing to take on and employ more people?  A young person in a business should also be praised and encouraged to expand their business and obtain greater recognition from within the community?  

The taxation system also needs to be overhauled.  For low income earners, why can't the paying of tax simply exist by paying income tax rather than having the unnecessarily burden of having to satisfy the requirements of filling in a confusing tax reform at the end of the financial year?  Also for business owners can't the system be better simplified so that their is less stress and effort on this procedure and more energy invested into employing more people?   If you want to reduce the unemployment rate in Australia, then why not simply for labour market by creating a more flexible workplace environment?  Surely unions, managers and business owners can come to the bargaining table to simply laws and procedures to make workplaces more profitable to increase staff participation.  

For the young person starting out in business, every means possible should be provided to allow for greater productivity.  Also every means possible should be provided to allow for greater participation of people with disabilities into the workplace.  Flexible work hours need to be encouraged as well as environments that offer greater friendliness and worker participation.  By removing unnecessary red tape and over regulation, surely such opportunities are possible?  An overhaul of the enterprise bargaining system, awards and other means could surely overcome the flawed system in place already?  Only change will happen if people start to question the system that is already in place.  We need to focus on people who want to make a contribution and encourage those who want to improve performance and greater workplace productivity.  What do you think of Prime Minister John Key's video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yp7QsQSGz-4  Is New Zealand soon going to outdo Australia with its economy and rising dollar?  Do you also think that John Key is a better Prime Minister?  

Trying to keep active at 42

Over the past 2 years I have managed to keep my exercise routine up to date.  Both in the morning and afternoon, I do some sit ups, cardio workout by jogging on the spot and doing some star jumps. I also do some exercise with weights.  I have found that anxiety has reduced as well as irritable bowel and stomach irritations.  I still confront challenges though in being able to communicate with others on a more social level.  I see the importance in having and wanting friends but relationships are just beyond me.  I just feel it all too much work and get tired of people who say I don't try hard enough.  People should try living with Autism each day.  Navigating the world at large is exhausting not to also mention the shear amount of mental exhaustion and energy required in trying to rely solely on your intelligence to get about. 


I do find that making friends has become a little easier and with a large following on both Facebook and LinkedIn, I am doing very well.  Not that I want to boast but more so try to improve.  I still find however that there is segregation because people seem largely afraid or unable to understand how I think and function.  I know that there are some people who I don't get on with but there are others that seem unable to relate to the way I operate.  I cannot control overall how having Autism does affect me but I do work on ways of overcoming the areas which need improvement in myself. 


We live in a world that is so uptight and on edge.  Furthermore, people seem reluctant to know how to communicate with each other.  I see the importance in particular of men putting aside their issues and striving towards better cohesion and friendships with each other.  More importantly a means of guiding future generations of young people to grow in confidence and in leadership.  A great deal of many people have become blinded by consumerism and image.  They simply have forgotten the basic tenets of helping each other out and accepting help when a person is genuine about providing it.  Sadly trust has been abused by abuse from the insidious but people need to think and rely on intelligence more.  I believe that in our life we need to make the most of what we have and to live within our means.  Sadly some people don't live within their means and get into serious debt and financial hardship and instead of thinking about the overall prosperity of their country, they instead think of themselves.  It is all a matter of being sensible and realistic.  Not everyone is perfect but people are given a brain and should use it more.  Watching the news is often depressing and I cannot stand some of the lies and propaganda which is in your face. 


Working in an environment with young people is very positive.  Not only can many think and perform within an intellectual curious setting, they can also be guided and encouraged to become better men and women.  I try to be a good role model where I can but sadly there is still some remaining 'me first attitude' about.  It really is annoying when you try and offer help to people only to get in return "I'm right".  Furthermore there are givers and takers in the world and people seem to be more takers than givers.  All you can do is try your best and hope that within yourself that you can change other people's attitudes? 


As I approach the 50 bracket which I hope will not be too fast, I remain concerned about my own mental and physical health.  Having medical issues can be a challenge if you have Autism because often pain, discomfort and even seeing a doctor can be overwhelming.  The medical fraternity still needs a better understanding of Autism and we need to find more statistics to see what is happening with persons with Autism within middle and later age.  As yet there is not a lot of information and this needs further research and investigation.  What for instance is the average life expectancy of a person with Autism?  Where also are the adults in the community?  How are they functioning and are they being neglected and need better services? 


I know of adults who are older than me and some advocate whereas others have just fallen off the radar.  So at 42 I continue to do my best even though I often feel like an outsider and find social isolation all too overwhelming at times. 




A learning environment not only can be social but stimulating.  A lot of people and young people need more encouragement to learn and grow their minds.

The lack of social circle dilemma

As a man on the Autism Spectrum one of the difficulties I confront is finding ways to understand the opposite sex better.  I have always struggled to make friends and not growing up with many friends caused me to be in a distinct disadvantage.  I think that having friends at an early age and growing up with friends is important both for mental health and for social improvement.  I think that through the early periods, that men in particular learn and grow by having friends whether they be platonic or within the same gender group.  As for persons on the Autism Spectrum we seem to always be on the outer and grow and excel either in our own time or through our own means.  The school environment may not always be supportive either as man of us confront bullying and a sense of alienation.


Does not having friends cause you social isolation and difficulty in relating to the same gender and those of the opposite sex? 


In answer to this question and from personal experience, I have always struggled myself in knowing exactly what is required in a friendship.  How often do I reciprocate for instance and furthermore what are the nuances and behaviours which I need to exhibit?  Over the years it has become somewhat an obsession to make friends and I find that I have more friends now than before.  I find though the mental energy required is just exhausting because I put a lot of effort into just getting by and in trying to keep friends that often I confront mind blindness and mental exhaustion at the end of the day.  I also believe that I have more Autism than Asperger Syndrome in terms of communication for I can communicate in more of a professional context but within a purely social one, I fall down badly. 


I never really had friends as I grew up that could guide me with dating women and in knowing the social behaviours required in order to fit in.  Even now I still encounter some social isolation but with Facebook, LinkedIn and Skype, I can overcome some of the hurdles with social isolation.  I find that with Aspies that we are just wired uniquely or differently and that like the jigsaw puzzle, we don't really fit in with other pieces within the puzzle.  We need to either finds ways to adapt or if we are not able to function enough, we tend to be on the outer once again. 


A friend to me is someone who is honest and genuine.  A person who accepts you for who you are and helps you when you need help.  We live in a world where there are givers and takers and sadly more people seem to be takers and few are givers.  It can be a real struggle.  Friends are important though because not only do we socialise but people learn from each other.  For an Aspie though this can be a worrying deficit because we are not growing because we are not learning and social inclusion therefore is needed as well as tolerance and understanding.  Aspies can be blunt but it is not because we want to offend people but more so because we speak our minds.  Often we confront rejection and even bullying as a result and such attitudes need to change. 


Would the following therefore be important for persons on the Autism Spectrum?

Friends to help with growing, learning and overcoming social isolation


Mirroring as a means of better functioning and obtaining advice to better adapt to friendships and relationships


A better means of overcoming mental health issues


Perhaps you can think of more reasons? 

Being the Square Peg In the Round Hole

At times I really don't feel like I fit into the world around me.  I feel largely socially isolated and my ways of functioning not really fully understood.  People also seem largely confusing and what they say doesn't seem to connect with what they actually mean.

People don't realise that to get to where I am today took a lot of work.  I was written off and told I wouldn't get far in life.  Furthermore, I have been told that I need to try harder and that I either write myself off or put myself down.  The truth of the matter is that I know my strengths and weaknesses.  I also believe that I largely do not have Asperger Syndrome but more so Autism.  For me making a social effort or entering social situations is very overwhelming and exhausting.  Added to this I feel that relationships with the opposite sex are just beyond me.  Sadly society doesn't understand how I think and function and over the years some so called friends have just dropped me not understanding how I function as a person.  What I don't understand is that I don't see myself as a damaged or broken individual.  I see myself as needing to change some of my ways of thinking so I can better adjust to anxiety and stress but I don't believe that I need to change to be accepted by people.

To begin with I try to function in a world that I know is going to be very difficult to change.  Furthermore the structures and infrastructure around me is not always accommodating.  Loud hand driers in amenities, cities that are physically hard to navigate and lights and sounds that can be overwhelming represent real challenges.  I also feel that I am forced to spend money that often provide poor services such as Internet Providers and even taxation that does not go into disability, for even if it does it seems to go to people who really never really ask me what ways my quality of life could be improved.

I really wonder at times if I am changing the world.  There are still many challenges and hurdles a long the way.  Mental Health is still largely ignored and social isolation is an everyday reality.  I see myself as largely an outsider observing rather than participating.  I get frustrated with the way mental health is not better managed with people on the receiving end being doled out medication more so than therapy and discussion.  Quite simply I believe that some medications do more harm than good and I can speak from personal experiences.

I also feel largely conformed into ways of thinking and function that are not me and I live in a society where men are supposed to be blokey and guys simply don't talk to one another. I even wonder if a National Service could change this to encourage leadership and a better means of bonding?  Trying to be myself is a challenge because I cannot stand pretending to be someone I am not.

These are my thoughts for today despite the challenges I face.  Maybe others can relate to what I am writing about in this blog?

It's Not A Broken Toy Factory It is A New Wave of Enlightenment

It really concerns me when I hear of stories of parents who join Autism organisations because they are afraid of accepting the diagnosis of Autism in the child.  What is even more distressing are the measures to try and cure or prevent Autism from within the person.  Why are such drastic and unrealistic expectations occurring?


I believe that early awareness is needed of Autism and what better means of this being assisted than allowing adults on the Autism Spectrum to become mentors.  Advisors to the young person with Autism and shared of experiences and strategies on how to function better in the world?  Sadly I don't see much of this happening.  There are many adults within the community, including myself who do Autism Advocacy work. Sadly though we are not being allowed into the spotlight for lacking so called experience and or qualifications.  If future generations of persons with Autism need support then why not allow adults with Autism to become mentors? 


For a long time I have fought long and hard to allow adults with Autism our rightful place in society.  A means where we are not seen as broken individuals needing to be fixed but rather acceptance and a means of embrace.  There are still many barriers however and brick walls in the way and these need to be taken down.  It is not easy but with much optimism it is possible. 


Today I met with a new adult who is assisting the group with advocacy work.  He has some good ideas and suggestions and is around the same age as myself.  I will be working with him and other adults including Ben Wilshire to further raise awareness. 


In the meantime I ask you to continue to like my Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/GARRYBURGE.AS and to contact me via Facebook


Regards


Garry Burge

Coping as an Alien

If you can remember the TV series Mork and Mindy, you may remember how Mork lived his life as an observer.  He spoke regularly to his superior Orson about how to understand the human race.  For me I constantly struggle with it everyday.  I find that I am largely either unknown or misunderstood.  For instance I offend people just for speaking my mind and seem to cause annoyance in wanting things done and done properly.

When I left the school system which I found was largely frustrating and within a stressful environment, I came out with a poor academic transcript.  When I later tried to go to university, I was told by an Occupational Therapist that I would simply be wasting my time.  Despite me proving him wrong and many critics, I was successfully able to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of New England in 1999.  I undertook university because I wanted to show that no matter where I was in life that I no longer had a failed school certificate against my name.  It also would try and provide me with some hope that in future employment that I could find something and not be destined for the scrap heap or be thrown or forced into a toxic and harsh work setting.

The challenges I have today is that people don't really see the silent struggles.  One of my elderly parents whom I live with is going through some challenges at the moment and despite being seen as lacking empathy, I try my best to provide support and assistance wherever possible.  It really hurts me deeply when a person says I lack empathy because I do not. I am a very giving person or try to be but often I am overlooked or confront continual social isolation.  I always strive for understanding and in wanting to have friends but for me the way my wiring and thinking occur, people do not always understand where I am coming from.

In Australia I  notice that so many people who really should be given the lime light never reach it.  Instead within the higher echelons of society there tends to be a focus on sporting identities and on people who have achieved success through often unsavory means.  I have never really felt that I exist in Australian society because I am not into drinking or playing sport.  For me I prefer to be around people who have open minds and who are intellectually curious.  I am not sure exactly where such people exist?

I like to see things done properly and like to ensure that as a person I try my best to deliver a high quality standard of work and professionalism.  Sadly I seem to offend people just for being myself in a society which seems largely mediocre.  I am told I am negative but for me speaking my mind is the only way I can communicate.  It is hard to know right from wrong in some certain social situations and I find myself sometimes confused and having to rely on my intelligence to problem solve.  My training at university allowed me a mind that constantly thinks and questions but sadly sometimes I feel like a bulldozer hitting an iron wall!  There is just no way beyond it.  What do I need to do and what way can I get around it?

Ben Wilshire is doing a lot of good work and assisting Ben to become a leading Autism Advocate in Australia is working well.  I also will be travelling with Ben to New Zealand in August and hopefully thereafter to Europe if all goes well.  It would be good to have a friend to go with.

I am at the moment coming to terms with a lot and I cannot get counselling at UQ Psych Clinic until April.  Still getting ongoing counselling is impossible and I hope that things change in the future.  I always try my best to create and lead change but often it doesn't come soon enough.  I also contact Chris Mitchell every Saturday night in the United Kingdom via Skype and in my spare time I run the adult group and network.  Just for now it is a matter of trying to do my best and try to not walk on egg shells to offend people or get them offside.  I just wish changes did not occur to the DSMV changing Asperger Syndrome as a diagnosis because to me it is an identity.

More updates soon when I can think of more to write.  

  

2015 and onwards

2015 has now well and truly started.  I really hope that 2015 will be even better than last year.  Over the past 18 months I have been working with other adults to ensure that the group continues to grow and that important work is carried out.  The group now has a regular attendance of approximately 13 adults which is good to see.

Our next meeting will be a brain storming session.  It is at this meeting that the group will plan events for the coming months.  As well as met the Lord Mayor of Brisbane in April, the group has a lot to look forward too.  We are always welcoming new members and furthermore looking at ways to reach out more to the wider community.  The work is constant but preparation and perseverance go a long way to try and ensure that this happens.

I am continuing to work with Ben Wilshire and Ben is in contact with Autism organisations both in Australian and abroad.  We have also looked at and spoken to the National Autistic Society in the United Kingdom to see if we can also network with them.  We have received some emails of correspondence which has been helpful.  However connecting and working with them from Australia is something that has not yet been looked into and hopefully in due course something may change on this front?

There are two important conferences happening in Brisbane this  year.  The first one being hosted by Asperger Services Australia and the other the APAC conference towards the end of the year. Ben Wilshire will be attending both and this should be a good opportunity for Ben to do some public speaking and to represent the work he is doing as well as CareWest in Orange in his position as an Ability Linker.

In my own Autism Advocacy work, I will continue to try my best to run the group. We have Dr Tony Attwood visiting the group in November and furthermore we hope to see more adults working in the group to ensure that momentum and progress continues.  The group is about building adults up and encouraging self esteem and confidence.  Introductory events are a way of ensuring that new members get a chance to introduce themselves and overcome the barriers of social isolation and even depression.  There are some really awesome adults in the group and in each other's company, the foundation stones are already being laid for a more optimistic and supportive future.

In the meantime it is just a matter of continuing forward and trying to ensure that support and friendships continue to grow.  We welcome new adults not only from Brisbane but from within Australia, New Zealand and overseas.  Wherever one goes or connects with, our support base is expanding.

Please feel free to contact me via www.garryburge.com  or connect with us via Facebook https://www.facebook.com/GARRYBURGE.AS to ensure we hear from you.

Yours faithfully

Garry Burge

www.garryburge.com