Eyes Wide Shut

by DL (anonymous in Montréal)
(Montréal, Québec, Canada)

My 'mobbing' story happened at university. Having learning disabilities, and Asperger's Syndrome, I often had to work harder than other people to accomplish the same thing. I usually realised the goal, sometimes earned the contempt of some fellow students and even the occasional prof.

The trouble started with one or two people who thought I had no business in school. They expressed this opinion by stealing my stuff, swearing at me, taunting me etc. Somehow, they also managed to turn other people against me; so I eventually found myself ostracised –previously friendly people would avoid looking at me, talking to me, or even associating with me in any way.

I have never learned what was said to turn so many people into strangers but, as I became more ostracised; the harassment by the original trouble-makers grew more and more intense, until I could no longer go into the building where we did most of our studies.

Having no idea how to handle the situation, I tried to explain the situation to people; but the more I tried to resolve the issue, the more weary people grew about my complaints. I grew angry and resentful at the hostility of some and indifference of others.

My leaving the school did nothing to stop the harassment and character assassination... if anything, it grew worse. After all these years, the people who had started the trouble continue this character assassination among people outside that school.

So unpleasant and perpetual is this assassination among people practising my specialty, that I find myself so shunned that I can no longer practise the skills I achieved in school. I continue to struggle with the emotional affects of that time and have been unable to find/keep employment.

DL
Montréal