Some Discussion Topics from my ANNE group session on 10/6/26

Here are some of the topic ideas that we can choose from through out the series..

Kelly Urban is the group leader.   

Discussion Topics

  • Friendships/Relationships
  • AI
  • Being sensitive (sensory wise) vs others being “too sensitive” in communication – preferring truth to social niceties
  • Interest sharing (each person has the opportunity to “present” a topic)
  • Anxiety (continued)
  • Sleep?
  • Working with therapists/other providers?
  • Grief

Today we talked about being behind in life at a certain age.  For me it was graduating from college older. One time I was turned down for a job by a christian company due to the fact I was not married or had kids.  I was told various times in the hotel industry I did not fit the image due to age.   I always felt out of place and the wrong time to do better in my career.  Today it was why do you not own a house or have kids.

Jenna From Vietnam

– Greg Wood

Part of being on the spectrum that was hard was reading social cues from women in the dating world.  I had a lot of fear also because for years my mother used to tell me I should not get married.

For Several years I was going to a nail salon for pedicure. Most of these women were from Vietnam.  I knew it was a tough business for them. I teated every lady with respect and kindness.   I soon started talking to Jenna who worked there.  Right a way there was a mutual attraction. A few nights later we met for dinner at Jenna’s house. She cooked a traditional meal from Vietnam. She was in the process of becoming a American Citizen. I took a train across Canada in the mean time. We could not date for some time because she had some legal issues to solve.   

Right away Jenna accepted me for my kindness just like her. She is a healing experience for me. To heal from an emotionally abusive mother and ex-wife.  There is a little bit of a language barrier.  I did explain some of my core issues like Asperger’s and anxiety.  She accepts me with all my challenges and plans on staying in a relationship with me for the long term.  Her family in Vietnam got to know me and they approved our relationship.  

Out of college I struggled with holding a job and felt embarrassed to be living with 3 roommates for 14 years. Then I was in low wage jobs full time and part time. Plus working every weekend did not put me in the normal dating pool. I felt a north Dallas woman would not want to be in a relationship with me due to these two issues. Another challenge for me being on the spectrum is I had such a kind nature that people could see. I was prone to being abused emotionally and taken advantage of financially.     

When people ask us how we met, Jenna will respond that God put us together.