My name is Gretchen Leary, I am thirty one years old, and I have Aspergers Syndrome.
I currently reside in the Boston area. I am the author of "Welcome to My Yesterday" [2004] and "Monochrome" [2006] which are two collections of poetry under my maiden name (I am divorced but retained my married name) Gretchen Gundel, and the children's book "Really, Really Like Me" [2014].
Not everyone loves poetry or has an Autism Spectrum Disorder but one way that I know I can relate to others, even with social struggles, is through music.
I have recently started writing poetry while listening to music and I am sure to give credit to my inspiration each time. It all started with "Ivory at Night" which was inspired by Beethoven's Sym. No. 9 which I shared with Josh Groban. His response to it on Twitter has inspired me to keep this challenge going.
From there, I chose different classical composers and wrote to their music. I have now started incorporating different genres into my writing as well.
Right now, I am currently working on an illustrated children's book to help raise awareness and promote acceptance of individuals on the Autism Spectrum.
My dream is to make a difference.
Follow me on Twitter @Gretchenleary
To like me on Facebook Click here
My website is www.gretchenlearybooks.com
Feel free to send any private comments or messages to authorleary@gmail.com
Gretchen Leary (McIntire) 
i am a adult with aspergers.saw your web.i am married 3 children.2,boys.1.girl.DO YOU DO A NEWS LETTER
my e.mail.markkent1962@hotmail.co.uk
please reply
Hello! I do not do a newsletter. Is there something specific you are looking for?
-Gretchen
i think MOST PEOPLE are very very snotty nosed about autism//asperger syndrome.. PEOPLE SEE a person in a wheel
chair,person with a walking stick.but, PEOPLE DO NOT SEE AUTISM,ASPERGER SYNDROME, M.E.
Mark
Sometimes when I think someone is being judgemental, I find I am the one being judgmental. Not always, but for me…I often misperceive people’s intentions or feelings- sometimes this is because I am projecting how I think they feel onto them because I don’t know how they feel. Hang in there.
hello Gretchen,how are you. do you have asthma,migraines, hayfever. i have ALL 3, very common with autism//aspergers i can not work allso have M.E. if you have heard of it. think what this is like,it can put me in a wheelchair.i do take part in a lot lot RESEARCH FROM UNIVERSITIES. i all so write letters like ..what is it like being a norm..ee father.2,pages and ooh,what a life 2,pages.. IN WHAT WAYS GRETCHEN DO YOU REGRET HAVING ASPERGERS..i have met in person .. UTA FRITH speaking for 45 mins.if you mite have heard of her.my wife is Tabitha .not disabled in any way.we have 2,boys ages 12 and 9 ,and 1, girl age ONE YEAR OLD.when our daughter was born last year I CUT HER CORD.. very few fathers do this.EVEN A LOT MORE SPECIAL FOR..ANY DISABILITY..tabitha and i have been together for 15 years. the very very sad part of my life is I HAVE IN=LAWS FROM HELL.. often call me SPASTIC,MENTAL,USELESS..have you had eating disorder like,anorexic before gretchien very very common with autism//aspergers. look forward too your reply
mark kent
hello,how are you .what have you been doing.
yesterday i was in LONDON.uk taking part in research called remapping autism.
today my M.E. has been very bad very painful at most times
do you gretchen have.. asthma,hayfever,migraines, i have all of these
mark
Hello Mark, I do not have those but I definitely understand having multiple health challenges. Always seems to be something out of wack or it feels that way. Hang in there.
what health challenges do you have. i do have others like bladder/ bowel problems. PEOPLE SEE LAUGH CALL VERY VERY BAD NAMES..WAS bullied very badly then abused by different people. I AM A LIVE,
mark
my family are at the in laws FROM HELL,been very snotty nosed today with hay fever.HOW DOES ASPERGER SYNDROME EFFECT YOU GRETCHEN..with myself WORDS EFFECT ME VERY VERY MUCH.do you take part in research.if you would like too ask me any thing please do.i take part in a lot different research. mostly it is for autism //aspergers like bladder/bowel problems these are very common…
mark
how are you. are you ready for christmas. what do you do in the week
like say a monday,wednesday.friday. can you work.do your family live far
how does aspergers effect you.
mark
do you have a post address gretchen
would you like my post address
mark
I can understand your feeling about classical music. It just lets your mind and spirit soar and see places you would not see otherwise. I wish you well in the challenges you took upon yourself and look forward to the written results.
Thank you for dropping by my blog. I am glad to find yours.
how are you,Gretchen.. happy new year..what are you doing.
mark
Hi there, I’m okay. Things have been very hard financially, but we will get through. How are you Mark?
i have been taking part in research,, one i did on the internet.. AUTISM//ASPERGER SYNDROME. only
this was on a very rare subject..SEX,.. the questions was very GRAPHIC. NEEDS TO BE WITH ASPERGERS
I HAVE THE RESULTS…, do you have a boy friend gretchen
mark
Hi Mark, I am actually married. Research can be fun. Have a great night!
well done,gretchen.. how many years. any children would you like too have children my wife..Tabitha and i married for 13 years been together for 15 years. how is your aspergers really.REMEMBER I HAVE THIS TOO .what things do you find most difficult,like say from when you was a single lady too a married lady. would you like to ask me any thing if yes please do sort of help each other would like too be real friends..VERY VERY DIFFECULT FOR ASPERGERS was you bullied as a child gretchen, I WAS BADLY have a great night gretchen. look forward too your reply may be tomorrow
mark
how do you get on with YOUR IN..LAWS
I HAVE IN..LAWS FROM HELL… THEY HAVE CALLED ME,… MENTAL,SPASTIC,USELESS, VERY VERY OFTEN
mark
Hi Mark, yes we do get along. I’m very fortunate to have accepting in-laws. I’m sorry to hear about your struggles with yours.
how is your book going, fine not so well.. have you got a title.
mark
Thanks for showing interest in what I put out too.
I sincerely hope you continue to find my works entertaining & pleasurable.
Be safe.
You are just wonderful Gretchen! Glad to follow you dear!
Somehow I did not get a notification of these comments on this part of my blog. Nice to meet you too!
You are a remarkable young woman, Gretchen, and I commend you for everything you undertake to do for I believe you will inspire and enrich the lives whose path you cross.
Hi Renee, thank-you so much for your kind words. It means so much to me to know that there are people who believe in my dream to make a difference who have never even met me!
how are you and your husband//family
i have met adult ladies before who have asperger syndrome,,, everybody is very beautiful. very attractive.. but ladies who have aspergers HAVE A BEAUTY OF THEIR VERY OWN.IT IS AMAZING SO VERY STUNNING,THEIR IS NOTHING ELSE THAT COMES CLOSE. IT IS A BEAUTY THAT IS VERY DIFFERENT. IT IS A VERY RARE GIFT,
mark
We are doing well, thank you Mark. How are you doing?
my m.e has been very bad..so painfull.. are you able too work gretchen. i am not.. how do family//friends//in laws treat you because you have aspergers. I HAVE IN LAWS FROM HELL.was you bullied as a chil.I WAS BADLY BULIIED do you..OR WOULD YOU LIKE TO HAVE CHILDREN. we have 2, boys age 12 and 10 .1,girl age 15 months old. our 10 year old son all so has aspergers like i do.if you would like to ask me any thing please do.
hear from you soon gretchen
mark
Hi there Mark, I do work full-time actually. I’ve been blessed with a good job that I often am allowed to work on my own. The lights and noises are tough at times but I do my best.
I am sorry to hear about your pain level. I hope that gets better. I remember you mentioning your inlaws before, it sounds like quite a challenge. Hang in there
Hi, I absolutely love reading you blog, so I’ve tagged it for the Liebster Blog Award which helps link blogs together. I’ve written more about it here
http://aspertypical.wordpress.com/2013/02/18/255/.
I look forward to reading more from you in the future! =]
Hi there, not sure how this works, sorry for the delay. Will read more on it tomorrow. Thank-you!! 🙂
Nice blog. Friendly advice: I suggest changing “char” to “chair” in your “About me” 😉
Hi there! I cannot find the typo that you are referencing.
That is so odd- when I click on my About Me page it doesn’t have that in it. It should show the updated version.
Found it 🙂
Hi! My sister has same syndrome as you and I am very happy to see you speaking up for yourself. I really enjoyed reading your posts! They were amazing. My sister does not have writing talent like you do but she has artistic talent. I hope she could speak up for herself like you do one day!
Dear Ms. Leary,
I am nominating you for the Awesome Blossom Award (http://listeningdaisy.wordpress.com/2014/01/05/awesome-blossom-award/) because you are very inspiring!
Pingback: Inventive Blogger Award: My 5 Nominees | I like the smell of new things
Hey missus…. how you doing? I hope 2014 is being kind to ya.
Anyway, just to let ya know I’ve nominated you for an Inventive Blogger Award:
http://ilikethesmellofnewthings.wordpress.com/2014/01/31/inventive-blogger-award-my-5-nominees/
xxx
Thank-you, I’m so-so. How are you?
Hi Gretchen,
I just saw the article about your speaking engagement in the Metrowest Daily News. I don’t know if I will be able to make it but I would love to introduce you to our new school, the Tremont School some time. If you have a moment, please email so that we can talk about this.
Bill
Hi there! I just saw this. I would love to have a chance to meet you tomorrow! If not I would really like a chance to discuss about your school. My email is gretchenleary@yahoo.com
Hi Gretchen thanks for following my blog. I have taught a few Aspergers students over the years and so know a little about it. A good friend of mine once said of me that we all find somewhere along the spectrum and I think that is true, I know I do. I hope you come visit often.
Thank-you for visiting my page 🙂
Autism (Aspergers is considered high functioning Autism now in the DSM5) is one of those things… It’s a challenge, but the victories are amazing. I see each day as a battle, and try to celebrate when it was a good day and try to focus on what to be grateful for.
Sensory issues, social issues, anxiety, OCD tendencies, the need to keep moving all can feel overwhelming but sometimes I find that if I can just hold onto the thought that something wonderful usually follows a storm, I weather it okay.
Here is a blog post you might find interesting:
https://gretchenleary.wordpress.com/2014/05/23/when-i-cant/
I will visit again 🙂
Thanks Gretchen I’ll go have a read.
Your blog is currently included on our Actually Autistic Blogs List (anautismobserver.wordpress.com). Please personalize your blog’s description by selecting “About the list/How do you want your blog listed?” from the top menu on that site.
Thank you.
Judy (An Autism Observer)
Gretchen, your blog is currently included on our Actually Autistic Blogs List (anautismobserver.wordpress.com). Please click on the “How do you want your blog listed?” link at the top of that site to personalize your blog’s description.
Thank you.
Judy (An Autism Observer)