Necessity is the Mother of Courage

To be honest, the list of things I am scared of is long and diverse. Heights, depths, confined spaces, flying, roller coasters and any kind of medical procedure. I have always been very nervous as a person and those nerves have got worse as I have got older. I put it partly down to my Asperger’s, because from what I have read it can either heighten or significantly reduce the sense of danger that the person feels. My oldest son, who is also on the Spectrum, seeks out thrills and danger so I have seen both sides of it.

The only thing that will force me to do something I am frightened of is necessity. If there is no option, I will try to gather up my reserves of courage, such as they are, and I will do it. Some things like flying and having blood taken, have become incrementally easier, though still not comfortable. Some things like heights and confined spaces have remained as fear inducing as they ever were. I am sure that if my family were at risk, I would bypass my fears, but I obviously hope never to test that out.

Some people enjoy the adrenaline rush of danger, real or controlled, others hate it. I will always hate it and go out of my way to avoid it. A life without physical risk is a life that for me is more enjoyable and much more sensible!