I Am Me by Ringler Marlene;

Author:Ringler, Marlene; [Marlene Ringler]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Morgan James Publishing
Published: 2018-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 6

Lost and Lonely in Atlanta

Heartbreak in a “Fun” City

Our son decided to remain in the US, and after getting some advice, we thought that moving him to Atlanta, Georgia was a good choice. At that time in the early 90s, Atlanta was known to be a popular destination for young people searching for work opportunities, social clubs, pleasant weather and a slower pace of living. The city was brimming with the energy and vitality that comes with a more youthful population. Restaurant, bars and discos were packed with young people who worked hard during the day and played hard in the evening hours. Newspapers, magazines, and public announcements offered what seemed to be unlimited opportunities for those in search of friendships and romance, along with social events and elective courses. Rental apartments were available at reasonable rates. Our impression was that this city had the perfect blend of work, fun, and a healthy environment. We were so pleased with our decision to relocate our son to the hospitable south that we did not consider the challenges such a move brought with it.

Once we settled him in a simple but well-located apartment, helped him search for a job and get acclimated to his new city, we returned home, 6,000 miles away. He was left pretty much to fend for himself. Our reasoning was since he had developed a good sense of how to cope with many challenges as an independent college student, he certainly was prepared to face the challenges any other young adult faced such as seeking out a social network, setting up job interviews, and taking care of his basic needs. He remained in contact with us and we spoke by telephone on a regular basis.

He did work in several low-paying, menial jobs in Atlanta, but was unable to sustain any of them long-term or find a position which might offer him opportunities for growth and development. His performance did not fit his potential nor did it square with his excellent college education. We watched as he struggled to maintain his dignity and self-respect as one boss after another mistreated, ignored or simply fired him following a brief stint of employment. We often wondered why he, in particular, was singled out for such shabby treatment. Little did we know back then that this uncaring attitude was more commonplace among persons in the community who were ignorant of the strange behaviors typical of autistic individuals. What we perceived as strange behaviors could be misinterpreted by an uninformed supervisor as threatening and menacing.

One of our son’s proudest moments came when he was hired to work in security at the Atlantic Olympic Games in the summer of 1996. He also volunteered as a guide in a local historical museum, which meant also being trained, wearing proper dress and memorizing many details about the South during the Civil War. When we visited him at one point, we went along to the museum and watched as he made his historically accurate presentation to a small group of visitors.

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