Phoenix20 said:
Some people use their disability as a way of getting what they want and work the system like the following scenario:
"I once knew a chap, at the time we were friends, but because of this and a number of other reasons, we’re no longer speaking.
He and I both received diagnoses for Asperger’s (which still existed then) - mine being marginally more severe - but we responded in different ways.
He went into the testing almost determined to get diagnosed with something. I went in wondering what would happen, and whether the results would give me any answers to questions I’ve had about myself since I was a toddler.
He got what he “wanted” - his first act upon receiving the diagnosis was to research how much free stuff and special exemptions he could get himself. He didn’t want to know what was wrong and find ways to help himself; he wanted something he could use to turn his problems into everybody else’s problems.
He fought for a disabled badge, parking spaces, free laptops, benefits, exam extensions, free transport, special treatment at work, and got them all.
He took his Asperger’s and wielded it against the world, using it as a mallet to bash at anybody who ever expected him to take any kind of responsibility for his life. He was very open and honest that he was doing this. He openly mocked the system that looked out for him, because he was going to make “the man” work for him.
"But, my Asperger’s!” became a mantra.
He didn’t get another job - he searched for a little while but couldn’t understand why, as a man with no experience and no qualifications, he had to start in an entry level position. He considered himself a genius and thought that he should begin at the top.
After evading “get a job” pressure from me and from other friends, he took out a large student loan because he said he wanted to get a degree in engineering (in actuality, he just wanted to move to Brighton to get drunk and have sex) so off he went, and he attended one class, told his professor that she was an imbecile and that the classes were “beneath him”, and never went back.
He squandered the loan money on beer and kitting out his pathetic rusty Ford Fiesta with a floor-shaking sound system. Then, it was discovered that he never attended University, and the Student Loan Company started proceedings to get the money back - which he’d spent.
“But, my Asperger’s, I have a disability!” he said at the age of 29, and his father paid off all his debt. Now his father is almost bankrupt and his mother is descending into depression. Meanwhile, he sleeps in until midday, watches Star Trek, and yells at his mother when she asks him to contribute some money towards the rent - which he still doesn’t, aged 32. (His mother is still friends with mine, so there is some news throughout - but not direct.)
It was an utter disgrace - and far from being ashamed, or feeling guilty - he was overjoyed - he’d found a way to beat the system, and to get more in exchange for less." |
