ADD

I can't focus. I can never focus. I zone out on my teachers, on my friends, and even on my family. I forget what has been said right after I hear it. Even now as I write, I have to keep looking back on the sentence to remember what I have writen. I am always called dumb or uneducated by my relatives and I'm always in a class with at least 3 or 4 teachers. People have told me this is because I have special needs, but I don't. I know what I'm doing and most of the time, I'm in control of my body and mind. I don't act out and I don't have a disability. I am just a bit slower than the other students. I have been my whole life. I just wasn't diagnosed until 8th grade and I didn't start medication and therapy until 9th. I've been doing fine for all those years before the doctors found out about my ADD or as they call it, ADHD. I'm not hyperactive in the slightest. I am pretty lazy and, yes, I tend to fidget or twitch randomly, but that's not hyperactivity. That's just a need to move around some. I've always been a slower reader and learner, but no one thought anything of it until my grades started to drop in my finale years of middle school. I'd listen to the teachers as best as I could, but I could never understand what was being said. Every time I read, I always forget the previous paragraph by the time I have finished reading it. It's frustrating. My sentences are choppy, and I tend to get off topic while writing. My family doesn't understand. They think that because of this, I am disabled. I'm not. I can go into the world and not have any problems. They said that I have to wait a few years to get my drivers' license because I'm too slow at reading road signs. I'm already 16 and all my friends are a year older than me since I am one of the youngest kids in my grade. Therefor, they all have cars and a license. It would be nice to be able to drive to work and to the grocery store, but instead I have to bike. And believe me when I say that it is very difficult trying to stay upright on a bicycle while carrying like 4 or 5 grocery bags. Not to mention pretty dangerous. I don't fault my parents. They are just protective. But I just want them to understand that I am not incapable. ADD is no big deal. Many people have it. It's not a hindrance to everyday life. 

Reviews

[Chris]

As you have found out - Doctors and others have got to "tag" everyone and everything with Labels - to define other people in ways to fit "round" in squares and squares in round. Labels seldom have degrees of definition (shades of existence) - once labeled that's it. A fair bit of mislabeling occurs as well. Remember Medicine is NOT a Science ...it's an Art. All people are not the same - that is why prescriptions have so many and varied side effects that not everyone experiences.

This was a good read... do more.

[Coyote Poetry]

You are right Emily. ADD can be overcome. I know people with ADD, who had great success. They work harder and kept aiming at their goals. You did well. You write with skill and I love your understanding of life. Thank you for sharing the powerful story and your thoughts.
Coyote

[alanwgraham]

We all need others who are willing to share their experiences. So well done Emily for helping us understand your life. The thing is that even those that seem to be perfect can be hiding all sorts of issues. I have had some difficult times myself and I try to share them when I can.
All the best
Alan

[Onlyme]

You know who you are Emily, interesting, thoughtful, insightful, respective read. That says you understand who you are better than any doctor or so-called specialist or teacher. Bravo Emily. Well said.

[Faust]

Thank you Dawn :) I didn't expect to get a review so quickly after posting

[Onlyme]

Emily you are a bright young lady. And you will go far. A lot of adults don't even know themselves at all. And you do at such a young age. More power to you. Sweetheart. and my pleasure. hugs. Dawn.