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Update from 04/06/2022: The podcast is returning! Listen out for an official announcement on 14th June.
This message was kindly provided by my friend, John Rayment. You can find him on Twitter here.
Transcript
Welcome to Easy Stories in English, the podcast that will take your English from OK to Good, and from Good to Great.
I am not Ariel Goodbody. I’m Ariel’s friend, John. I’m recording this message for Ariel, because he’s unable to speak at the moment.
So here’s what Ariel has to say:
‘Hello, everyone. Some of you may know that I’m autistic. I talked about it earlier this year, when I did the pre-intermediate version of The Little Frog with the Big Mouth.
‘Basically, it means that my brain works a bit differently to most people’s. I am more sensitive to bright lights, loud sounds and strong smells. I don’t talk or act like most people do, so I often mask. Masking is when an autistic person “puts on a mask”, basically pretends to be like everyone else.
‘Because of these things, being autistic can be very tiring. It’s very hard for us to just exist in the world, because the world is full of bright lights, loud sounds and strong smells, and people want us to pretend we’re different to who we actually are.
‘So often, when things are too difficult for us, we shut down. This is when your body says, “No more!” Sometimes, it just means being alone in a room for a long time and resting.
‘But this year, I’ve been having more serious shutdowns. I’ve started going non-verbal—losing the ability to speak. As I’m writing this message, I’ve been non-verbal for 12 days. As well as this, I’ve also had movement difficulties, and I can’t easily do lots of things that I was able to do before, like travelling or shopping.
‘I’m telling you all this because, obviously, if I can’t talk, I can’t record Easy Stories in English. I really hate not being able to do the podcast, but right now, my body needs to rest. I don’t know how long it will be for, and to be honest, I don’t know how reliable my voice will be in the future. I’ve done some research into what’s happening to me, and I seem to have a health problem called autistic catatonia. There isn’t much research on it, and it’s difficult to treat, but I’m trying my best.
‘I want to thank you all for your support. I already talked about this on Patreon and in my email newsletter, and so many of you sent kind messages. I’m sorry I couldn’t respond to them all. I have found it very hard to keep up with emails.
‘So, for now, I will have to take a break from the podcast. Hopefully, I’ll be able to start again in the new year. I hope you all have wonderful holidays, if you do celebrate holidays around this time of year.
‘Thank you for listening, and hopefully I’ll see you soon.’
Comments
24 responses to “I have to pause the podcast”
Ariel, wishing all the best to you, be ok soon and HAPPY NEW YER!! Robert.
Hi Arial, I hope you get better soon!!
Hi, Ariel! Get better soon! Thank you to your friend for this message, because I was worried about you.
Happy New Year!Hi Ariel! Get better soon!
Thank you John for this message.
Happy New Year and please Come back!Hi Ariel I wish you all the best
Take care of yourself
Happy New year
AbbassHi Ariel,
I hope you feel better.
Happy New year
Thanks for the podcasts
PavlínaHey, Ariel! I hope you get better soon, we will be always here to support you!
I wish you all the best this new year, because you’re such a nice person!
Take care!Hi Ariel, I am so sorry to hear your condition.
Wish you get better soon, because I can’t wait to listen your next fantastic podcast!Hello Ariel,
I am sorry to hear you are unwell, wish you will feel better very soon.
I try to send good vibes from France and wish you the best for the new year,Hey Ariel!
I hope you’ll be better very soon!
We already miss you!
You are a strong person and we know you are doing your best for getting better.Hello Ariel, I’m sorry to hear you’re not feeling well. As I am listening to the message, my heart aches for you. I hope you feel better soon. Take care of yourself. No sickness can keep you down!!!
Fay
Ariel, when will you be back?
We are waiting for youI”m afraid I still can’t talk, Yulia! I honestly don’t know when I’ll be able to do the podcast again.
Sad to hear that, Hope you get well soon.xoxo
Ariel, I’m really sorry to hear that but I know that you will be better very soon. Rest more, and come here with your amazing energy.
Hi Ariel! Hope you are even better day by day, I send you a great hug!
Greetings from Rome, Italy,
Bye!
PierfrancescoHi Ariel hi john . İts an amazing job for us. I don’t know how but I wanna meet you one day. It was a terrible day for me. But now I appreciate it. I am still learning your language. I came to USA a month ago. Actually I felt so bad. However I find you. I m really thank you. Have a great day. I love you
Don’t worry Ariel you are amazing. Everything gonna be alright. Believe me 
Hi Ariel, I couldn’t remember how I found your podcast but I want to thank you for your great job. This morning I was listening to your podcast and wanted to read the story from the transcript. I opened the website and learnt that you had to stop the podcast. I’m so sorry to hear that but I hope that you are getting better day by day.
Hi Ariel, I love your postcards. Thank you very much for them. I wish you feel better soon, Take care of yourself.
Hi Ariel. Thank you for explaining your situation so kindly and clearly. I love your stories and I really hope you get better soon.
We miss you ;-( and your stories!
Hello Ariel. Take the needed time to feel better. I’d love to hear your voice again.
Some stories I’ve listened twice.
Take care honey!!!Hi Ariel, I started to listen to your podcast in May 2021 and I love it so much.
I’m sorry to hear you unwell.
I hope you feel better soon & best wishes that you will soon be back to doing all the things you love.YOU ARE REALLY VERY STRONG MEN HOPE YOU ALL THE BEST AND WE MISS YOUR SMILE
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