Live: Growing Up With OCD and Autism- My Story

[@julienickalls4590]

Jen , I'm binge watching your videos as I've only just found you .your interview you did with Asa was fantastic . You are so funny and appear to be such a warm loving person. We all should have a friend like you . Xx

[@topshelfva]

Thanks so much for sharing your story! I love your realness. :-)

[@JenMsumba]

thanks and you are welcome :) thanks for watching and for all of your support!

[@cathykim9001]

Jen thank you for sharing your story. You went through so such. You're a strong, talented, humorous and warm hearted person ♡ You actually broke my bias(wrong thought). I'm a mom of a nonverbal 11year old girl with severe autism. I always thought that ppl on the supposed higher level of the autism spectrum(smart, verbal) had it way easier. But hearing your story really made me realize that it isn't easy for verbal ppl with autism, too. I really admire you♡ You are just so great and inspirational!! Wishing you all the best!

[@crazyplantgranny6007]

Hi I came over from Fathering Autism. I love your channel. You make me happy!!

[@malimcfadden2385]

Hi Jen! I recently found your channel through Fathering Autism and am wondering where you’ve been all my life! While I wasn’t ever diagnosed on the spectrum, I have a lot of sensory processing issues, social anxiety, anxiety, ADD and mild OCD among other things that are mild enough that people think they don’t matter but was enough to institutionalize me a few times when I was young (9,11,12,14 &15 before I was left to be on my own, support myself and finish school at 16). I feel like you and I are so much alike that it’s mind boggling. I love that you’ve formed such great friendships and bonds, that’s always been a really difficult thing for me. Of course I’ve had friends and long lasting friendships but people move away or change their interests and while they’re still my friends, we don’t talk much or see each other at all. Luckily I have two kids or I’d be really lonely. In my head you’re my long lost friend though🤪. I’ve really enjoyed watching your videos, you make me smile every day. This video broke my heart though. I hate that you’ve had so many difficulties. Some I can relate to and know how tough it was for you. Others, just break my heart because I hate that anyone, especially you had to endure it. I just wanted to say “hey” and tell you how much I admire and appreciate you. I’m sure that I’m not the only person who is brought joy by getting to know you a bit through your videos. So, thank you for that!

[@krystalhutton5658]

Your story is heartbreaking. You have so much courage in sharing this with the world. I am a special education teacher. I can’t even imagine my students going through what you have experienced. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@jessicanorris2827]

Oh Jen!! I am so sorry you had to go thru all of this. You are amazing and I really hope you always know this. Love you Jen

[@juliebotzenhart8064]

I think you are so sweet! I am so glad you are living in a better place where people treat you with kindness and love you.

[@emmap.7314]

Thank you for sharing your story! You’re the definition of resilience! It’s such a privilege to get to kind of know you through your KZbin platform! ❤️

[@mynah7121]

Jen, you’re amazing! Thank you for sharing and for just being you. Love your adventures, love your sense of humor, and love your honesty. Keep doing you!

[@bettysimmons7912]

I just watched two of your videos which I happened to find when researching a story about a child who recently died in a school in Sacramento. He was restrained in a cruel and inhumane way. My horror at what happened led me to you. I am so glad I found your videos. I love them. You are so clear about explaining your autism and OCD and the experiences you have suffered. Those experiences are very upsetting. It is like hearing a story from Charles Dickens about the deprivation in poorhouses in Victorian London or the cruel discipline methods associated with brainwashing and torture. I'm so sorry for what you've been through. You are providing an education to those of us who hear you because this is not information we usually know about. Also, your way of expressing yourself is so personal and so descriptive that I understand more than I would if I heard it from a professional educator. I'm an actor at a large holiday festival in California. This year, during workshops, we were introduced to information about neurodiversity and how it manifests, and how we can help audience members who might have overload and reactions. I, also, am a children's entertainer. I do clowning, face painting and balloon twisting in public markets and private birthday parties, and large civic and corporate events. The workshop I attended will help me as I entertain at that festival and at my individual events. I interact with so many children, a few brief moments at a time. I need to be attentive. I am so happy this workshop is being given so I can learn more about this hugely important social need and to do what I can to be understanding, to respond in a positive way, and to help other people be understanding. It is too often ignored or not recognized . Sometimes people simply don't know how to communicate or respond with people on the spectrum. It's troubling to hear of children bullying a student and even worse when the educators apply cruel and damaging techniques that are worse than tests done on rats. Bravo to you for your survival and for your refreshing and open personality and your videos which can help so many people. I've learned a lot from you today. Your words have touched me deeply - and will change my life. Thank you.

[@JenMsumba]

Wow...the fact that I made this difference for you makes me so incredibly happy and motivates me. Thank you so much for sharing this and your story with me

[@mariebarrett8774]

My heart breaks for what you’ve endured sweetheart 😢😢😢..........but you’ve risen above it beautiful lady & just look at you now....thriving/ living your best life.....🥰🥰🥰 Shame on anyone who’s ever done you wrong,....😠😠

[@shaunalea823]

You ARE a person of worth......priceless Jesus Christ love u and created you in his image!!!!

[@JenMsumba]

yes amen :)

[@rachelaltergott1567]

email [e-mail] can be friends here my em er Diane fathering with autism I was wondering vice we ci Hi my name is Rachel I was you on your channel co

[@megmartin3237]

Thank you so much for sharing your life with us. I'm so glad I found your channel. I'm 53 and was in special education from 5th grade thru high school and has always felt different.

[@annadurance3289]

Your story breaks my heart ❤️ I live in Canada and volunteer at an organization that puts on camps and activities for kids with autism. I cannot imagine how hard your life had been and I hope you never have to go through that kind of abuse again.

[@mariebarrett8774]

You are a big & beautiful part of this world & are so loved by so many ....What a strong gifted beautiful lady you are so happy I’ve found your page ......xxx💓💓💓💓

[@RachGroom]

Jen, I am so glad I found you!! You inspire me so much, I am awaiting a diagnosis and have struggled to fit in for so long. You make me see that things can be ok

[@angie8088]

I have watched several of your videos, and I wanted to tell you how articulate you are. I think you are very capable of being an advocate and a great source of awareness for people with autism. I don’t have autism, but I do have OCD. I’m 44 and no one seemed to understand severe OCD at that time. I suffered a lot of abuse because of that lack of understanding. I’m wishing you all the best.

[@abigailsmith432]

I’m so sorry you had to go through so much growing up! You’re such a strong person and I’d admire your will! I’ve been a subscriber of fathering autism and saw you at Disney and had to come see your channel and I’ve been watching tons of your videos ever since! I love your story! My 3 year old son might have autism so it’s nice to hear the perspective of someone who deals with it daily! Keep up the good work Jen, you’re awesome!!

[@samanthajenkins2949]

I am so glad you are in a better place know and you are doing well. Think you for your story.

[@JeannaEnjoysCrochet]

Have you always lived in Florida? Wow, you are such a strong person and educating others. You are an incredible speaker.

[@JenMsumba]

I’m actually from Massachusetts but I’ve lived in Florida for about 10 years now

[@IndigoJo]

I know a few families of autistic people online and the story is always the same, there's a crisis when they're in their mid to late teens because life changes so much; their friends become teenagers and are interested in different things and they don't understand it, or relatives move away, and sometimes they've been in a special school for years and they don't know what's going to happen next year. So many have spent time in hospital before their families manage to get a life plan in place for them as adults. I also know of people who have died in those hospitals because of abuse or neglect. In your case you were admitted to what sounds like quite a good hospital which made a little bit of progress then had to send you home; if you'd been able to stay longer, they might have been able to get to the bottom of some of it and teach you some coping strategies which might have saved you all that suffering. We are starting to understand autism a bit better now but this situation keeps repeating itself.

[@habibaduval9988]

Thanks for doing a video on your story! It was so informative and you've survived so much. How awful about the shock treatment place, it sounds like they were increasing your anxiety rather than helping it. Glad you're somewhere better now. It's such an awful feeling when you can't understand yourself or others. I identify so much with keeping thoughts to myself as a kid because you're worried people will just look at you like you have two heads or cart you away. Mental health is talked about so much more now and I think this generation is so lucky for that reason. I remember even teachers would look at me strangely if I read something aloud to myself, like in that scene from 'Neverending Story' - I thought he was the boy version of me. I always gravitated toward autistic fiction characters as a kid without realizing that's what they had. Really found this so interesting and keep up the fab content.

[@JenMsumba]

I'm so glad it helped you and maybe you feel less alone KZbin is great for that, isn't it? email me anytime :)

[@ItsADarbyThing]

Brave brave lady to be so honest xxx

[@keepitREALalways2181]

Your awesome girl!! Keep doing everything that your doing and I will always keep u in my thoughts and prayers!!

[@sheritraenkenschuh7807]

I'm so sorry you went through such a tough time in your life, Jen. You're so special. I'm glad the bad times didn't break your spirit.

[@toniwood2642]

you are an amazing person and i am so sorry you had to go through so much with hospitals and group homes. you didnt deserve that.

[@julieholland2165]

🌺I love that you have a channel & thanks for all you share!

[@JenMsumba]

Thank you Julie that means a lot

[@carriedrews3617]

I hate that you had to deal with that!,,, I love you sooooo much. I found you through Asa Maass. You’re my hero,

[@boogiebeat09]

Hi Jen, I think you are so inspiring and fun.

[@ginnyloohoo5932]

Thank you Jen for sharing your history. You’re very brave and a real survivor! You are an inspiration!!! 💙

[@mariebarrett8774]

I’m so sorry you had to go through all this....your rawness & honesty is so humbling...✨❤️✨

[@judybullick4516]

Love you Jen. Can't wait to check out your piano page.

[@nicolesaylor4027]

You never deserved that to happen to you. I am really glad things seem to be better for you! You are a very important part of the world! I love you 💙 You are such a great person and you make me smile

[@fatima34me]

Thank you so much for sharing your story. You really are an amazing person! You are very brave and a true survivor. God bless you! 💕

[@brookmartinez4218]

Your strength is so inspiring! Thank you for sharing! 🦋

[@Keltickay9022]

Getting caught up on all your videos!

[@Lucailey]

As of 2019 that Voltenburge center still exists! I am stunned! They still use shock too.

[@crohniequeenab]

They stopped the electric shock therapy by the FDA

[@Lucailey]

@@crohniequeenab that's good but even so it never should have taken this long!!!

[@shellwillison2793]

Thank you for sharing your story it breaks my heart you went through this 💕💕💕

[@williamprice7948]

I've been on a level system in a residential school I didn't care about being on level I got on restriction on purpose so I can do whatever I want

[@bigjamesband4400]

Thanks for sharing your story. You are a fabulous person!

[@JenMsumba]

thank you so much

[@samanthajenkins2949]

I am the same way. My mom put me In Special Education classes when I was a kid growing up and I had to take speech class growing up until 8th grade. I even tried to bleaned in to hide who I was. I just came out in told my daughter.

[@jocounelis]

Hi Jennifer you did great on piano. Love you.

[@bonniejohnson760]

I'm so glad u shared your story. I've been through the same abuse as you to. Can I ask u a question? I know that there are others who went through the same Hell as u and I and I wonder if other ppl. at this dreadful place and their families ever filed a Class Action Suit against this place because if they did...MORE POWER TO THE ONES WHO DID...If not, I think it would be a great idea if you all would hire an Attorney that specializes in Disability Rights Law, sue this dreadful place and put them out of business so other people will never get hurt like this again. I'm extremely proud of you for taking your life and power back. You are a very strong, brave, intelligent, personable, talented and compassionate young lady 😀🤗🎊🎉

[@yunhee93]

I live in a group home for aautism and related disabilities and the staff are good

[@JenMsumba]

That's so good, I am really happy that they are :)

[@jocounelis]

I love music too. Thank you for your show.

[@Amber12332]

You are an awesome person thanks for sharing your story😊

[@ladeadparrot]

You're amazing

[@ZumieZumes]

Jen! I’m catching up on your videos... having a little binge session while I bake brownies. This place that you went when you were 25 is terrible. I hope they aren’t open anymore. You are so lovely. I love to share your videos!

[@JenMsumba]

Hi thanks so much for watching! Unfortunately they are still open 😕

[@breewheel2614]

That rude guy urggg. "The hard way", I can't stand the thought of someone doing that to a child, especially one who's afraid. Makes me sad that an adult thought that it was acceptable to feel that way. Hopefully he learned the error of his ways. Sounds like they're were trying to train you to be obedient with chores, which is a big error on their part. Good to hear you didn't let any of that break your warm spirit heart 💚

[@judybowen4267]

Welcome

[@jocounelis]

I like your story and shows.

[@tinafields7139]

Love you Jen! How old are you? I thought you were only about 25 cause you look so young...in a good way!

[@chinabluemccabe3276]

I agree that she looks so young! But I think she mentioned in another video that she is in her 40's. You can pick it up on some of her cultural references... music/bands, movies etc.

[@williamprice7948]

I have High functioning Autism I went from being a 3 on the Autsic spectrum when I was little to a 1+at 5 I started talking again by 10 I was making sentences. Numbers change on the Autsic spectrum I'm a 1 + Witch I call super high functioning its functioning its not pepper but looking I probably have ODD ADHD OCD I got laughed at school I don't have many friends in school I more friends as an Adult I've been on 5th floor Big hugs I've been we're you have been big hugs Jennifer

[@paulbarrell3172]

People are often so cruel. I remember having my shoe laces cut once in class.

[@valeriablasini4098]

was your family aware f the abuse? you are extremely intelligent and you speak so well.....how did you learn everything you know ?

[@-berberry]

💜💙💛 you are one tough lady

[@chichirinuriko20]

Xoxoxoxo thank u for sharing your story. :D

[@JenMsumba]

hi thanks so much and you're welcome

[@CarolynLife]

Hi Jen I think you are great 👍

[@brendashadley6007]

Omg hun I'm so sorry you went threw all that it needs shut down 😠

[@lanavives91]

Jen you are fun and sweet girl

[@mariebarrett8774]

Hi Jen...x

[@chasitystaggs3107]

Hi

[@brendashadley6007]

How old are you Jenn not that old your Doctor's should have totally been able to diagnose you wow and sorry you got bullied not cool I dislike bullies stay Blessed hun 🖤🌹🖤

[@chinabluemccabe3276]

She mentioned in another vid that she is in her 40's... Which would make the misdiagnosis a bit more understandable.

[@joanmcgilton5075]

I way alway picked on to. I was always the smallest one in my class and kids made fun of me cause of that. I even had a couple teachers that was mean to me. I don’t know why my parents never did anything about it. I think they figured they would not do anything about it. But I wish the would of put me in another class. Kids are mean every where you go. My dad was in the service and I went to different schools even Germany. I went to school with American kids because there dads where in the service too. I always had a couple friends. But most of the kids picked on me and my couple friends to.

[@mylifeinmaine9869]

😲😲I hope the state you was in that horrible place that shocked you got shut down!!😲😲

[@valeriablasini4098]

Where were your parents during all the moving around?

[@amylynnbakes]

I am a 52 year old who started researching to see if I may have aspergers. Fathering Autism popped up on my you tube recommendations. Then I found you. I am diagnosed with bipolar adhd and depression and am on disability for it. Our childhoods/adulthoods were identical! (Except for the group home part. Here is my self taught obsession/hobby. I don't make much money from it. Mostly friends and fam. Facebook.com/amylynnscakesplus

[@amylynnbakes]

I am going to see if I can make a vlog like you. Wish me luck!

[@chichirinuriko20]

Have you jeard of the Jacksonville school of Autism? I think its for kids who have autism( I think its new)and I think it will probably benifit for you( and many people on the spectrum) if it exsit 10 15 years ago... xoxoxo

[@chichirinuriko20]

I think fatheringautism talked about that and his kid who ahs severe autism(non verbal) goes there.

[@joshwright2075]

No one should treat you like that jena.

[@amberfalvey7476]

Hi under stand my brother was Similar situation he went to a behavioral programs L Pam it helped for a little bit but then he got put in a group home because he had behavioral problems M made the situation worse I tried a c's S howling it wasn't the right fit for me the people did not pay their bills or do what they need to do but I'm not saying all group homes are badd there are good in bed group home and chs are good Now I'm living with my dad right now eventually I'm gonna get my own apartment with help from the state just waiting for them to fill out the paperwork in then I'll get my own apartment but on much happier here You said you just gotta find the right sec so I found the right fit and I love it and everybody is kinds of me so hopefully I'll get my own apartment and have helped and asked FL take me to the my appointments and do everything for me that's what the program was both to do but they never did it but I spoke up and and my family help to so a minute better spot

[@williamprice7948]

Mama refer to it as obedience school L.O.L. it didn't work cause they tried everything it didn't work me I was like Bart Simpson L. O. L

[@williamprice7948]

There are the ones not need to be shocked for cruelty

[@mariebarrett8774]

Cruelty beyond words.....