Stephen Russell Perkins’ Bio
Born:
July 20 1957 at Newton/Wellesley Hospital
Siblings: one normal brain sister and one normal brain brother. I am the middle child. My parents live in Shrewsbury, my older sister lives in Shrewsbury, and my younger brother lives in Virginia.
Locations:
- Framingham, 1957-1960
- Shrewsbury, 1960-1990
Schools:
- Patton Elementary, Shrewsbury, 1963-1966, was kicked out after 2nd grade
- Beal Elementary/Spring Street Elementary, 1966-1968, Special Education
- Ward School, 1968-1969, 5th grade
- Beal School, 1969-1970, 6th grade
- Shrewsbury Jr. High 1970-1972
- Shrewsbury High School 1972-1976, normal day classes plus special education for the four years. Activitee: Cross Country, Winter Track, Spring Track 1973-1976
- Atlantic Union College 1976-1981, B.A. in Art History and Studio Art
- Quinsigamond Community College 1986-1997, Associate degree in Electronic Technology
Observations:
I was a hellion from Kindergarten through elementary school in which it was recommended to my parents that I should be put into special education. I was sent to so many psychiatrists to find my problems. No luck in their diagnoses. Was brutally bullied physically and mentally between 6th grade and 9th grade. Left a deep scar with me up to this very day. Everybody thought I was very unusual as I later found out that they thought I was on drugs. Which I was not. Stayed to myself as I always escaped to the special education room for comfort. My brain was in different world so it was a blessing that I graduated from High School. I wanted to major in History when I went to college but my lack of understanding by not comprehending to the lectures doomed my goal. I am happy that I did graduate from Collage but it was tough.
Work:
I had hard time finding a job so I took on menial jobs until I could find a full time employment.
- Summerville Lumber: 1983-1984
- Allegro Micro Systems:1984-2009
- Unemployment: 2009-2010
- North Country Pet Sitting L.C.C. 2010- , my own company.
Observations:
My working career was very disappointing because I always felt that I did not fit in at all with my co workers, which made a strain upon every one. I was depressed, had high anxiety and did not get along. It was a long ordeal all the years that I worked for someone else and just wanted to get out but was scared to leave. Somehow I did get married, Donna Perkins, how we have stayed together these last thirty years is mystery. We both went from our parents house to the alter to get married. We have lived in Shrewsbury, Worcester, and now in Holden. We have had two cats which gave us comfort, the last passing away on the birthday in July at nineteen and a half.
My day of reckoning and relief:
It came to the point in my life when I was in my early thirties that I had to find out who I really was. This meant reading which was difficult for me but once I read one book it did not take to long before I was hooked on books and reading. This helped me find out who I was. Children with autism must learn to read no matter how hard it may be! It will open their autism mind to never ending source to captivate them through out their life.
Activities:
Drawing, Painting, Reading, Gardening, Advocating for Autism, Tai-Chi, Walking, etc.
On the board of the Friends of the Gale Free Library, Holden, Ma, on the board for the Holden Garden Club
