u/Lijey_Cat

My first time using a treadmill since having metal screws and rods put into my foot. Had an osteotomy, trauma to the foot, the whole nine yards. I still have about a year and a half of recovery time. Plus my foot is extremely swollen.

I'm only going about one mile an hour on the treadmill. It's not obvious that I have a foot injury because I found clothing and footwear big enough to hide it. I don't like answering people's questions when they inevitably ask why you're in a cast.

So I'm at Planet Fitness... a gentleman who probably is about four times as big as I am slowly came walking by me. He said the speed I was going was pathetic. I should be able to go faster because someone as big as him can.

Well, I didn't have anything to say. I just worked a 10-hour shift where people treated me like garbage as a customer service representative. I just looked at the guy and the first thing that came out of my mouth was my unfiltered autistic brain speaking.

" I can smell you, please rid me of your presence. My nose is greatly offended."

That wiped the smug look off his face. I didn't even mean he smelled like body odor. He was doused in what smelled like basted Doritos and canned beef mixed together.

I've got a sense of smell stronger than most people do. I just really didn't want to smell that.

I suppose I can only mask my autism for so long before it starts rearing it's face again. What can you do?

I wish we lived in a society where it was okay for me to be the way I am. If it were socially acceptable, I would walk everywhere with a nose plug.

So, with all of that said. I hope your night is going better than mine. I may be moving slowly, but at least I don't smell like Doritos.

Ingredients

​1/2 cup apple cider vinegar (or white vinegar)

​1/2 cup light brown sugar (packed)

​1/3 cup water

​2 tbsp ketchup (provides color and tang without turning it bright red)

​1 tbsp soy sauce

​1 tbsp cornstarch mixed with 2 tbsp cold water (slurry)

​1 tsp pineapple juice or rice vinegar (optional, for extra brightness)

​Instructions

​Combine the Base: In a small saucepan over medium heat, whisk together the vinegar, brown sugar, water, ketchup, and soy sauce until the sugar fully dissolves.

​Bring to a Simmer: Bring the mixture to a gentle boil.

​Thicken: Whisk your cornstarch slurry again to make sure it’s smooth, then pour it slowly into the simmering liquid while whisking constantly.

​Glossy Finish: Lower the heat and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until the sauce thickens and transforms into a clear, shiny, translucent glaze.

​Cool: Remove from heat and let it cool completely. It will set into that thick, scoopable texture visible in your container as it drops to room temperature.

​

Where do I even begin?

1. ​I'm tired of people questioning my disability because it's invisible. Yesterday, I had a bus driver refuse to allow me to use my wheelchair on his bus because I'm able to use a cane sometimes. He told me I was faking it and would not allow me to use the lift, forcing me to use my cane and throw my hip off. Then he proceeded to ask me invasive questions about my disability. He's probably the sixth bus driver to do this to me. It's paratransit! They're not supposed to be doing shit like this at all.

2. ​It seems like nobody has a filter anymore. People will just say whatever to me. Yesterday I offered to donate a beautiful toddler couch to a cat shelter. Instead of a thank you, I got a giant text stating that they couldn't take such a filthy, hard-to-clean object from me. Blah blah blah germs. Okay, I volunteer at a shelter so I get it. It is a little bit harder to clean a surface-clean-only object. But should she really have to imply that I was filthy and was trying to donate a dirty couch? What the actual hell? Could she have just said "no thank you"?

3. ​I tried to share something positive the other day. I surprised my former elderly neighbor with a birthday gift, and I tried to share the story about how important it is to look out for the elderly. Especially when they have no one else, they need that human contact. You know what I got as a response? Everybody pointing out that I was just trying to pat myself on the back. And how dare I take my brother to Chick-fil-A, which he really likes. I'm a vegetarian so I don't eat chicken. I guess Chick-fil-A has a reputation for being hateful or whatever. So a bunch of people bypassed the meaning of my story to shit all over me about taking my brother there. (I had surprised my former neighbor with dinner from Chick-fil-A as well.)

4. ​I just want to spend quality time with my family lately. But they don't seem to want that. It makes me sad and feel very alone. What can I do?

​It seems the world does not always want me. Perhaps it also wants me to be constantly miserable. Funny, I just had my ketamine dose yesterday. I should be feeling happy, but I'm not. During my ketamine treatment, my autonomic nervous system disorder decided to act up and cause me pain. So I couldn't even relax during treatment. I was overheating and having muscle spasms.

​I give up. I don't know where I'll share that story about my neighbor, but clearly not on Reddit. God forbid you share something positive about helping the elderly.

For about 5 years I was next door neighbors in an apartment building with a really nice lady that I got to know through work.

I didn't want my former neighbor to think I'd forgotten about her. Never! Life drags me in all different directions lately, but a friend is a friend. That means the world to me.

Don't forget to check on your elderly neighbors now and then, I think this means so much to her. She doesn't have any family around anymore. I didn't move far away, just a few exits up the highway. So I thought you know what? Why don't I bring her something she'll enjoy?

Lucky guess with the salad I suppose! Honestly I was just going to Chick-fil-A to please my little brother. Best random thing I thought of to do today.