The Marriott at Waltham Abbey is very nice however we did have our problems.
The numbers for this workshop were at sixteen which, at first sight, seemed a daunting task. In the end it turned out to be an excellent number and most everyone worked well together.
At the end of it all the healing process will, has to, continue, so much so that there is talk of everyone getting together again, maybe not at the same venue, in March next year.
Below is a selection from the feedback given at the end of the workshop.
What did you like most about the workshop?
Meeting people in the same situation as me.
Finding a 'sisterhood' of women who have shared experience, albeit each journey being different - but the major vein is common. It was a relief, a delight. The balance of information/input and interactive participation was great as was the 'level' at which the information was pitched.
Info, space to think about own journey, meeting others on a similar journey, laughing and crying.
Having the chance to really work at this. To have a chance to actually feel sorry for myself (I have the right!). To gain/share from a bunch of remarkable pro-active survivors. To be doing a workshop connected with autism that's actually FOR ME!!! etc...
Just to sit and talk about AS and CAD openly is very freeing - thank you for the opportunity.
Presentations, collaborative efforts between groups, being moved around within groups.
Being able to talk to other women who have experienced similar things to me and who understand my experiences.
Meeting other women in similar situations who understood one another in terms of what it's like living with an AS partner, without me having to explain.
Meeting similar ladies and sharing similar experiences.
Meeting others that are married to AS partners, that have had similar experiences. Having 2 days just for me ! and I survived.
The opportunity to normalise my life.
The relaxed atmosphere/regular short breaks to break it up.
I liked the method of presentation. The information is well researched and Maxine presented it so honestly. I appreciate Maxine's down-to-earth and caring manner. I also appreciated the opportunity to meet other women who understand me!
Meeting other women, sharing experiences and meeting people I may never have met. I loved being able to have time just for me and to feel supported and free to say things that I' held down for years.
I liked being together with people who understand and feel empathy.
The wonderful brave people I met and the opportunity to share so much without feeling a 'moaning minnie' or disloyal to my husband and the laughter.
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What did you like least?
Not long enough.
Having to go home.
Restaurant staff! But that's not the point!
The wait for the workshop to become available.
I should have stayed overnight, felt I missed out.
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What could be improved?
Given human dynamics... nothing.
Social meet on Friday night.
More time is needed.
The hotel staff only! Maxine was amazing.
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What have you gained most from the workshop?
More self esteem I hope! Also more insight into AS.
I think I need time to let it all soak in before answering this question in order to do it justice.
Affirmation, reassurance, assertiveness, sense of direction confirmed.
Masses and sure masses more will become apparent as soon as I walk out the door. How freeing to not have to expalin and have nodding heads instead of questioning expressions.
Knowing other people are out there with similar issues is a big help - I am no longer alone.
A complete sense of being myself and being understood. Also a partial understanding of where to go from here.
Affirmation of my own understanding and perceptions - that I am not mad!
Understanding of the situation I find myself in.
Validation, more insights and future support.
Making new friends, gaining knowledge and understanding.
I understand my own personal rights and my own needs much better now.
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Other comments
The weekend exceeded my hopes/expextations on all fronts.
Thank you for this opportunity, the facilitation, the respect for all and the value afforded to each participant and what they had to say.
Thanks Maxine - thanks for spotting us among the autism debris. At last we are somebody's focus.
You are a life saver - please keep on doing what you are doing.
Feel grateful to you for holding the conference. Without your support and research, this area would simply continue to go un-addressed.
I would appreciate the chance to meet other women in my position regularly e.g. annually.
Thoroughly enjoyed the whole weekend. Very valuable experience.
I discovered qualities that I forgot I had.
The structure of the days were vital to the success of the workshop but was unobtrusive, enabling free exchange of emotions/thoughts/ideas.
I found the whole experience invaluable. I no longer feel alone or full of the guilt I have had for years. So looking forward to a reunion.
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