Everyone Should Hear What This Man With Autism Has to Say About Love
This man on the spectrum has some thoughts on love that everyone should hear.
Bryan Chandler is an autism advocate who runs the Asperger’s Syndrome Awareness: Bryan’s Advocacy Facebook page, which has nearly 190,000 likes.
Chandler was diagnosed with Asperger’s when he was 23 and he now uses his platform to raise awareness and to talk about all the different ways being on the spectrum affects his life.
Just because everyone amuses me when I post a selfie here we go. Oh no, the end of the world is near hehe! – Bryan ? <3
Posted by ASPERGER'S SYNDROME AWARENESS – Bryan's Advocacy on Monday, February 22, 2016
Most recently, Chandler tackled the myth that people with autism can't feel love.
On Monday, February 22, Chandler shared a post on his page talking about the love he feels for his boyfriend, Martyn, who also has Asperger's syndrome.
Love is love, and how I feel for my boyfriend cannot be anything but love. They say those with Asperger's are unable to…
Posted by ASPERGER'S SYNDROME AWARENESS – Bryan's Advocacy on Monday, February 22, 2016
His post read:
Love is love, and how I feel for my boyfriend cannot be anything but love. They say those with Asperger's are unable to feel anything but that is far from the truth. My boyfriend (Martyn) has Asperger's, as do I, and I can honestly say he is one of the most loveable, intelligent, kind hearted, beautiful and gifted individuals I have ever had the chance to meet. I'm sure many of you agree that there is someone in your life that just makes you “feel” — Whether it's a lover, a parent, or even a pet. We have feelings. Martyn is the perfect guy for me and I'm confident in his abilities, confident in his achievements and he makes me smile every day. They say there is a soul mate out there for everyone and I have definitely found mine. I would show off my boyfriend to anyone because he is just perfect and I love him. Aspies can love, never forget that. — Bryan
Many commenters chimed in to agree with Chandler or offer words of support.
“That's one of the biggest, most pernicious, and false myths about Aspies out there,” commented Mark Janes. “It's more a matter of learning how to manage feelings that often are very intense and can be very hard to express appropriately. Combine that with a world full of neurotypicals who freak at any inappropriate or unexpected reaction and it's like being expected to knowingly run across a minefield.”
“That's fills me with happiness as I wish with all my heart one day my son will Love and be loved just like you,” commented Julie Elizabeth Troshupa.
Chandler has made headlines before for a letter he wrote to his childhood teachers, as well as for a post he shared about how sensory issues can affect those on the autism spectrum.
Get more from Bryan Chandler by following the Asperger's Syndrome Awareness: Bryan's Advocacy Facebook page.
Melissa McGlensey is the former News Editor at The Mighty. Her writing can also be seen in Ms. Magazine, on the Ms.Magazine blog and in The Huffington Post’s Good News, Comedy and Impact sections. Melissa is also a New York City comedian who does sketch, improv and stand up. She is passionate about social justice, politics, Thai food, literature, disability rights and more. She is currently in a long-distance relationship with her cat, Sneakers, who lives in California. You can follow her on twitter at @OhHeyMeliss.
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