Rilee's Story

When I was younger, I had a pretty intense sensory disorder, and some of the things I did to cope included tying my shoes as tight as I could get them, buttoning my shirts as high as they would go, and wearing my belt really tight. I also constantly used to chew on things and swing on our swing-set for hours and tell myself stories. I would spin, swing, and sometimes just sit there. The air rushing against my face, the movement, and the fresh air were all beneficial. Even currently, I sometimes wear ear plugs or noise-cancelling headphones while doing my schoolwork at my desk to block out noises. All those things I did and do help me feel safe and more relaxed. When I was younger, I would feel like I was coming out of my skin. That is why the tight clothing helped me. I also know that I did not like loud noises. In fact, I used to wear ear plugs or headphones at the movie theatre, and I still plug my ears. Another example of noise affecting me was about a year and half ago at Disneyland. We went as a family and brought two friends with us. One afternoon, I got emotional and broke down crying. All the park noises and people constantly talking to me nearly pushed me to my limit. That day, my only release was when I had my mom take me aside so I could breathe, think, cry, and discuss my feelings. It was extremely helpful. Thanks to my parents, I am learning to better control my feelings. Some of the solutions they have suggested are talking about how I am feeling, writing in my diary, taking deep breaths, and distracting myself with other things. In August of 2019, I got a dog. She is so sweet, and I think she has actually helped me with my sensory issues. Just petting her, holding her in my arms, and having her sleep next to me in my bed are so relaxing. I am sure there are many other people out there in a similar situation, so I hope my message benefits them.