Eye-Contact and Animal Healers
As someone with Asperger’s who spent much of my life avoiding eye contact until I was properly medicated, I still feel uncomfortable with eye contact in human interaction. Yet I actively seek out eye contact with animals. I am not alone in this. For people with Asperger’s and Autism, eye-contact with humans is fearsome and yet with animals, sublime.
People say eye contact with animals is less threatening, yet I believe there is more to it than that. Gazing into the eyes of an animal, I feel love, depth of consciousness, and connection– all qualities quite impossible to feel with humans, except in fleeting moments with my beloved Aspie husband who, too, has problems with eye contact. Perhaps because Aspies and Auties are so starved for affection, so hungry for a form of love that they CAN handle, animals offer pure and simple love, and unconditional acceptance. The truth is animals are excellent therapists and natural healers!! P.S. Animals are good for depressives, too.
(For more information on eye contact and Asperger’s and Bipolar Disorder, see the memoir I wrote of my experiences with love, called “Eye-locks and Other Fearsome Things” http://www.independentauthornetwork.com/ellen-stockdale-wolfe.html)
MOONSIDE 
wonderful story and fantastic fotos, Ellen, warm regards Mitza
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January 16, 2014 at 1:39 PM
Thank you so much, Mitza. So glad you as a fellow animal lover liked the fotos and story! xx Ellen
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January 16, 2014 at 4:23 PM
it seems to me that somehow within your affliction is a gift
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January 16, 2014 at 2:07 PM
To be at one with the animals, yes, it is a gift. If you have ever heard of the famous autistic woman who changed the cattle industry, she embodies a perfect example of how autism and Asperger’s has its gifts, as I suspect other afflictions do, if nothing else, as a source of inspiration.
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January 16, 2014 at 4:27 PM
This is really interesting, thank you for sharing something so personal.
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January 16, 2014 at 2:08 PM
Especially glad you found it interesting. Thank you!
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January 16, 2014 at 4:28 PM
So beautiful. Brilliant post. 🙂
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January 16, 2014 at 2:33 PM
So glad you liked it!! Thanks so much! Ellen
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January 16, 2014 at 4:21 PM
Eye contact is intense, because eyes are the windows to the soul, and this post presents the simple truth that “animals offer pure and simple love, and unconditional acceptance.” I will never look into the eyes of a sheep or a dog or a horse, or any other animal the same way again. Thank you, Ellen for your insightful words. Blessings, Dee
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January 16, 2014 at 2:36 PM
What a gratifying and encouraging comment, Dee!! Thank you for being so generous! God bless, ellen
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January 16, 2014 at 4:20 PM
Ellen thank you for your honesty. The truth about your situation and those in your situation is quite helpful. I feel sad that is true but also realize now another reason why God created such magnificent creatures. Look at how therapeutic it is for mankind. That is wonderful.
Blessings my dear yisraela
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January 16, 2014 at 6:22 PM
Thank you, Yisraela, for your most kind and generous interpretation! You have a big heart. *♡* Ellen
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January 16, 2014 at 9:18 PM
If you look into the Left Eye of a person, it’s not intimidating nor threatening: because you will be looking into the right brain / emotional / poetic side of the person.
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January 16, 2014 at 9:58 PM
Will try that. Sounds like a good tip! Thank you, Genie! 🙂
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January 17, 2014 at 8:34 AM
I loved this post so much, Ellen!! Yesterday I had eye-contact with a heavily pregnant cow, she was so beautiful and it was magical! During hard times in my life, my cat would always jump up on my bed and purr… it really makes such a difference!!
On another point…. have you seen the movie ‘My name is Khan’. My husband and I watched it last week. Shahrukh Khan plays an Indian muslim guy with Asperger’s and he falls in love with a Hindu lady (Kajol- the actress I mentioned to you before). I think, if you haven’t seen it before, you would love it!! It is one of the most touching movies I ever saw 😀 x
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January 16, 2014 at 11:49 PM
Hi Lauren,
Thank you for the referral. I saw and loved “My Name is Khan!”. A favorite. Shah Rukh was brilliantly Aspie in his role. You are right– it is very touching.
Thanks again, *♡* Ellen
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January 17, 2014 at 8:31 AM
Hii Ellen!!
I knew you would love it!! It is one of my favourites too! 😀
❤
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January 17, 2014 at 8:34 AM
Fascinating post. I never knew this and it’s a good thing to hear about. Thank you for educating me, and for following my blogs. I’m enjoying getting to know you better. Thank you for that chance. 🙂
Steve
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July 31, 2014 at 4:35 PM
Thank you, glad you found it interesting. Best, Ellen
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July 31, 2014 at 6:42 PM