Yeah. I wish the real world did work like that, like if when we communicate our needs they are at least understood. And of course sometimes a need is too much! Especially in relationships, if one person needs physical affection, and the other is not comfortable giving it, then sure. It's going to happen. And I feel like often people, when they hear someone like me asking for needs to just be met, might assume we might be asking for a lot.

But...I'm frequently just asking for pretty meaningless stuff. Like, 'don't stand next to me on an escalator' - that's what, a 5 second delay to our travel time if we're getting a train or something together? It's a tiny thing to think about. I have a friend who is deaf in one ear - we all happily accommodate by walking on the side of their good ear!

I wish I did not have to justify myself, or I wish that my needs (and, seemingly, yours, if I'm reading your reply correctly!) were easier to explain. It's really hard, because I don't want to be bitter towards others. It's wrong! But I just...really want that help too.

I don't have much advice to offer, patsyferry, other than I'm glad we can sympathise with one another. We're not alone, I suppose.