Sadly, Olivia had to leave university due to a series of distressing discrimination issues that she faced during her time there. Despite her initial excitement and aspirations for higher education, she encountered an environment that was not as welcoming as she had hoped. Throughout her studies, Olivia experienced various forms of discrimination that manifested in both subtle and overt ways, impacting her academic performance and overall well-being. In addition to the discrimination, Olivia found herself in a situation where certain members of the staff, who were supposed to provide guidance and support, were instead dismissive of her concerns. This lack of support not only exacerbated the challenges she faced but also contributed to a feeling of isolation and helplessness. She reached out for assistance, hoping to find allies who would advocate for her and help address the injustices she was experiencing, but unfortunately, her pleas often went unheard or were met with indifference. As time went on, the cumulative effect of these negative experiences took a toll on Olivia's mental health and academic motivation. The university environment, which should have been a place of learning and growth, became a source of stress and anxiety. After much contemplation and weighing her options, Olivia ultimately made the difficult decision to leave the university, recognising that her well-being and dignity were more important than continuing in an environment that was hostile and unwelcoming. This decision, while painful, was a necessary step for her to reclaim her sense of self-worth and pursue a path that would be more supportive and nurturing.
Olivia decided to take this as a positive, and try and further support people on the spectrum and due to having lack of support in adult education, even with a formal autism diagnosis, still the education system has yet again failed.
Note from Olivia
This time has been very difficult for me, which is why I postponed addressing the issue of discrimination concerning my leaving the university. I was uncertain if discussing it was the right decision, but it's a topic that needs to be addressed in education and universities, as there is insufficient support for adults on the autism spectrum. It has been something that has been difficult for me to discuss and talk about, but now I'm at a place where I can discuss this matter and start to make a change and try to use this experience as a reason for more autism and disability awareness.
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