The Whispers of an Autistic Mind

    Towards the end of the summer of 2024,  your girl here had an open brain craniotomy, where a benign colloid cyst (the size of an actual chickpea, I do love chickpeas in general but not in my brain!) was removed from the THIRD ventricle of my brain. What is the third ventricle? Well, in short, it is where the most crucial brain activity happens.       Let me give you a quick neuroscience101 crash course. The third ventricle is where brain fluid moves that protects the brain and removes waste. It is where the hormones are controlled like for stress, growth and sleep. It manages the body basics like body temperature, hunger, thirst, and sleep. It regulates automatic functions like heart rate, blood pressure and digestion. it connects with the part of the brain that supports emotions. Lastly, but not least, at the roof, the third ventricle is directly connected to the memory fornix that deals with the memory formation of new memories as well as preserv...

     Why, hello folks! Yes, I am back (been almost 1.5 years since my last blog, hats off to my consistency, right?). If you don’t know me, well hello there! My name is Arifa Kokab. Academically, well I have multiple technical/Scientific Masters degrees, I am a Neuro-research scientist AND an Applied AI Engineer (a lot right?).       But who am I really? I am a crazy Entrepreneur. I LOVE to create businesses. Not just any business. I love to build businesses from scratch that have a positive impact on this world and people in general. Cool right!? This way I am able to spread light, while making some money too (I’ll take it!!).       Anyways, I am a divorcee single Mom of a 12 year old tween boy, living in the heart of Los Angeles with my 2 cats. Did I mention both my son and I are on the Autism spectrum? Also, I used to be non-verbal when I was younger, until one day my brain allowed me to begin talking and expressing myself (a lit...

September 23, 2023      I am not the sort of person to really write. Heck, in fact, I was never a good writer (I have no clue how I aced in English, I swear). But, I love to think and use my brain. I love to allow my mind to run free. For the first time, I won’t be following the rules for writing that “perfect” article, that “perfect” document. I am tired of conforming to always trying to establish that “perfect” image. The truth is, I am NOT perfect. I make A LOT of mistakes. And, I have come to accept that about myself. So here I am. Arifa Kokab. So imperfectly perfect! I love it. It is true and it is me. And if anyone has a problem with it, can cease to read this article further.      So why am I here, you ask? Well, I had an epiphany to share my experience with the world. Ok so, basically, I am here to share with you all the real deal of the experience of trying to succeed as a startup founder of a company. Wait, a startup founder is obviously of a comp...