How writing has set Paul free
A YOUNG man with a form of autism, who was once locked up
for threatening behaviour, has written a book about his
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BRIGHT FUTURE: Paul Grayburn hopes his book will help other people with Asperger's syndrome
experiences.
Paul Grayburn, from Derby, was sent to a young offenders'
institution after threatening to kill one of his support
workers and spent a further seven years in psychiatric
hospitals around the country.
The 28-year-old now lives in a home for people with learning
disabilities in Mansfield and has written a book about his
struggle to come to terms with his condition.
The book, called Walking on Broken Glass, tells how Mr
Grayburn learned to live with Asperger's syndrome, a
developmental disability.
Mr Grayburn's condition was not diagnosed until he was 19,
by which time he was struggling to control his temper and had
been sent to custody at 17 for his behaviour.
From there, where he says he was intimidated and abused by
other inmates, he spent time in a number of secure psychiatric
units under the Mental Health Act.
His book charts his journey as he learned to control his
temper and channel his energies into creative writing.
Mr Grayburn said: "I wanted to share my experiences to help
other people with Asperger's and hopefully prompt them to make
better life choices than I did.
"Asperger's and other forms of autism can be positive. We
can be very creative, intelligent and concerned with
details.
"Personally, I love writing and am planning on going to
college to take A-levels in English, history and media
studies."
Asperger's is a lifelong disability that affects how a
person makes sense of the world, processes information and
relates to other people. It affects people in many different
ways and to varying degrees.
Mr Grayburn said that before he was diagnosed he struggled
to cope with social situations and stress, which led to
outbursts of confusion and anger as a teenager.
He said: "My book details the frustrations my family faced
in trying to find professional help for me, whilst due to my
own behaviour I was excluded from almost every avenue of
society.
"Looking back and reading my book now I shudder to think of
some of the things I have said and done."
Mr Grayburn said his diagnosis was a turning point and with
expert help from support workers and mental health specialists
he has learned coping mechanisms.
He said: "I feel like my story has got a really positive
outcome, which I would like to share with other people with
Asperger's and their families.
"These days when I feel stressed I go for a walk to calm
down. I love travelling and visiting new places, I have a good
sense of humour, a close relationship with my family and am
able to form friendships with others.
"The future is bright and my ambition is to do some more
creative writing and perhaps one day be a published fiction
writer."
Walking on Broken Glass has been published by Olympia and is
available from the company's website, www.olympia
publishers.com, priced £9.99.
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