truth be told, i did put her on medication for a time "just to make sure." but i took her off because i just honestly can't see it as a "deficit!" i think the deficit label has actually more to do with society's disappointment that you aren't more like them and that you don't fit in the little box they've reserved for you. i survived my whole life without the diagnosis or the medication. so why can't she? and you know, she was even smart enough to ask me to take her off it. she didn't like the way it made her feel!
i won't say that there weren't (or still aren't) times when i had wished to God that i could be a little more mainstream so that i didn't stick out like such a sore thumb. but i think that was my parents doing. they were always accusing me of trying to be different and encouraging me to "blend in" as if I was embarrassing them. after eons of unsuccessful attempts, i just decided to be me and instinctively tried to minimize my weaknesses and maximize my strengths. perhaps in the same way that a person's hearing is acute when they have no sight. and it worked! i'm proud of who i am. i'm a really GOOD person, highly creative, energetic and i've become amazingly self-sufficient! i'm hoping my daughter will too and i suspect she's on her way. i told her the other day that she looked a little freaky with the hairdo she'd come up with. she just shrugged and said, "well, you taught me not to care what other people think and i like it." LOL! good point girlfriend and touche for you!! so i closed my mouth and let her tromp on.
and so, when it comes to my daughter, now 11 years old, i am renewing my dedication as her mother to guide, train and help her harness all that beautiful A.D.D. for good use in her life to come. oh, she's going to get knocked around just like the rest of us. and she's going to annoy some people just like i did/do. hell, she even annoys me but then i annoy her too! hahahah but she'll be ok and i think she absolutely is strong enough to adapt without the aid of psychotropic, mind-numbing drugs that turn her into a ghost of a child. what kind of life is that? a life half felt is no life at all and i didn't bring her into this world so she could live just half a life.
happy birthday baby..here's to 11 years of a crazy ride on the planet with you! let's go get 'em shall we? ;)
my first-born
SHe is beautiful, and it sounds like she takes after her mother, and that's a good thing! I have to admit that I do not know much about ADD, but I would think if you have it yourself, and have lived with it, you should consider yourself somewhat of an expert :) ANd it sounds like your daughter is pretty smart and quite intuned with herself, this is more than most people 2 and three times her age! Happy Birthday Denyse's first born!
ReplyDeleteI have often wondered if I don't have a touch of ADD as well. My mind works in unusual ways...or maybe I'm just weird! I've never officially looked into it...but I do know that in my previous life, the one where I ate things I shouldn't (wink, wink), my mind seemed to slow down a bit and function a little better.
ReplyDeleteYour daughter sounds like a wonderful and unique girl! And that she doesn't care what others think at the age of 11 is great! I hope she can continue that mindset into the dreaded high school years.
And you...using your ADD to your advantage is very commendable. Many people crumble, become dependent, and worry about the label. You are an inspiration!
I say Touche as well! To both of you! I believe that as a society we are overmedicating our children in order to benefit those that are with them for long periods of time. I don't believe that all children with ADD need to be medicated. I had one with ADHD - and he needed meds at time - but like our daughter didn't feel like himself while taking them. and My daughter was diagnosed with ADD - by then I had learned how to help them learn to control and harness there mind! I'm so glad that you have the knowledge to be able to teach your child to have a productive life, and harness her unique energy!
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