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I have ADHD. I was diagnosed as an adult, and after the diagnosis, I was able to make better sense of my life to that point. I felt ashamed, though, as one disabled, crippled, less than. But I have since learned that ADHD's challenges come w/compensating advantages.
But I'm privileged.
I couldn't have asked for parents more suited to the challenges of raising a child like me. They are educators. They hold graduate degrees in education. They knew the education system inside & out. They knew my issue w/out knowing it, & they kept me on track.
I couldn't have asked for parents more suited to the challenges of raising a child like me. They are educators. They hold graduate degrees in education. They knew the education system inside & out. They knew my issue w/out knowing it, & they kept me on track.
Had I different parents, I would not have made it out of high school, much less to college, much less to a somewhat prestigious one, much less out of college, much less to the verge of serving in Florida's legislature, God willing.
And still I struggle. Processing time's passage is a big challenge for me, as it is for many w/ ADHD. And completing minor tasks - sorting mail, completing a laundry cycle, etc. - requires a determination you cannot imagine. @yashar has written about this before.
But there is a strength on the other side of those weaknesses. What made me a rambunctious student, for example, makes me an enthusiastic campaigner and a tenacious advocate for the people I serve. It took me 27 years to discover that, but I discovered it.
Now a question...
Now a question...
How many black boys and girls with ADHD diagnoses and 504 plans have 27 years to discover the flipsides of their weaknesses? We live in a society that criminalizes children behaving childishly, a society that views young black boys as men and young black girls as women.
We like to say that America is the land of second chances, but there are so many children in America who we didn't have the patience to give ONE chance. When I was in the classroom, I was keenly aware of this, and I worked especially *hard* with my ADHD students.
Years ago, before I was certified, I was a long-term sub in a 2nd grade class. Their teacher had a baby and was done for the year. And there was a boy in that class w/ ADHD who was made to feel like he couldn't do anything right. Imagine being 7 & believing that you're a screwup.
One morning, I forgot to take my medication before leaving the house. But I always had it in my bag in case I forgot. (Strategy!) And the kids turned away from me to say the pledge, and I surreptitiously swallowed my pill, and that kid, off-task, not facing the right way, saw it.
And he looked at me wide-eyed, and walked up to my desk, and whispered, "Mr. Hardy, you take a pill, too?!" 
I didn't confirm the implication, but he just knew. Til then, he had no idea that there were other versions of him walking around, adult versions of him w/ decent lives.
I didn't confirm the implication, but he just knew. Til then, he had no idea that there were other versions of him walking around, adult versions of him w/ decent lives.
God willing, as a State Rep, I'll have a chance to influence the systems that lead children like him to think there's something wrong with them. But there are things these kids need that legislators cannot provide, like role models.
And I'm not talking about Richsrd Branson! Children w/ ADHD need to see adults w/ ADHD, adults w/ ADHD who hold regular jobs, 9 to 5s, and they need know that if they get help with their challenges, if they learn and apply strategies, they will be just fine.
It cannot be "eccentric billionaire or bust" for kids w/ ADHD. It can't be "wildly talented performing artist or bust." Kids w/ ADHD need to know that there are adults w/ ADHD who manage to work their normal jobs and be on time most days (
) and be happy and accepted.
) and be happy and accepted.
That's means adults with ADHD need to be more visible and open about their challenges. And I'll start with me.
