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.  

Letting go

This statement hit home for me.   When I was working or in my family relationships it seemed that with conflict I was always in a state of high alert after a situation. I would keep the experience in the back of my mind for years. I had to do it to protect myself from any future experiences with that person again.  I always did the talk down talk therapy.  My girlfriend can take the same experience and let it go very quickly.  

  •  For individuals with Autism, ADHD, and Complex PTSD (C-PTSD), “just letting go” is physically difficult because their nervous systems are often stuck in a state of high alert. Healing involves bottom-up approaches (calming the body first) rather than just “top-down” talk therapy.
    – Greg