Imagine this: You wake up one day and feel all of your senses tingling. You aren't sure what's wrong, but they're on fire. No matter what you do, you have no choice but to feel them every moment. That's what autism feels like to me, and it's a part of my identity.
But when I walked into Aftershock Brewery in my hometown of Temecula, Calif., for trivia, I instantly felt at home. I don't know how to describe it other than feeling like blocks had been placed into the right-shaped holes. Everyone at Aftershock was welcoming. I met the owner, Jean, who gave me the rundown of the beers on draught. I met my friend's brewery buddies, who embraced me without hesitation. As the night went on, I felt freer to be myself.
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