Need help explaining

[CuckooSings]

I have autism and PTSD from a traumatic event 10 years ago. Thanks to intensive counselling and CBT i am mostly OK. My biggest trigger is my birthday. It turns me into such a wreck that even my own husband doesn't mark it.

I have just started a 2 hr a day dinner lady job as a step back into work. My boss explained that they have a birthday club where everyone chips in for a card and a box of chocs and if i wanted to join in to write my birthday on the list. I'm quite happy to chip in but physically cannot write my birthday on a list as everytime i walk into the staff room i'll be triggered. And i absolutely cannot have them singing and giving me gifts.

How do i explain this? I've not mentioned my mental health as i am 'better' so it doesn't affect my ability to work. I don't really want to be the office loony. But i can't think of any reason why i wouldn't celebrate my own birthday? Any ideas?

Say you're a Jehova's Witness? They don't celebrate birthdays.

Mind you, you'd probably get lots of intrusive questions if you said that.

Choose an alternative date, a day that means something positive to you?

Just say, you'd love to chip in but you don't celebrate your birthday thank you. Then hand over the cash. I think sometimes we agonize about stuff that others will probably just accept if you're firm and clear

I'd just say you are happy to put in your part for others but due to a traumatic past experience that you can't go into you don't celebrate. I'd be as honest as I felt comfortable being. I wouldn't worry about being seen as a ' loony'.We all have our issues and it's nothing you need to hide.

I'd just be straight forward about it. Say you would love to join in order to mark other people's birthdays but that for various reasons you don't celebrate your own birthday and you don't want others to do so either. End of. To be honest, if someone explained that to me then I wouldn't think much of it at all and would simply accept it with no further questions.