My letter to Giuliana:
Dear Giuliana
I have just watched your Mom’s video interview with you. That could have been me sitting there in your place. I’m pretty sure that my answers would have all been the same as yours.
Difference is that when I was your age, and all through school, there was no ADHD – just stupid and naughty. So no Ritalin or other drugs for me. I also had the challenge of being Dyslexic, so the more my teachers tried to correct me the worse things got.
I knew that I wasn’t stupid, so didn’t take much note of people who though so. (Good thing I had a strong belief in myself.) That they could spend so much time talking about things that I (and most of my class mates) had no interest in was just so nonsensical. BUT!! When a topic came up that interested me I would instantly become the most active participant in class, and would score top marks – on every occasion.
Now (many years later) I can see that the argument put forward that ADHD is not a handicap, but rather an inability for educators to accommodate, has great merit. Also, there are too many recognised ADHD ‘sufferers’ that are to successful in what they do when they have the opportunity to follow something they are passionate about.
Being disorganised and forgetful are said to be two of the indicators of ADHD. If that were true Justin Timberlake should never be able to own and manage his multiple companies and charities. This and all while writing and producing award winning music! Look to at the list of great leaders and inventors of our time that are said to have had ADHD. Where would we be today had it not been for their contributions to the world? The non-ADHD’s should be taking a page from our books!
There is no passion to be found playing small – in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living. ~Nelson Mandela
We are often told to follow our passion, and to be true to ourselves. I believe that we each have something special to do while we live this life we have been given. God gave us a head-start. You see, don’t you, that we know exactly what does not interest us and waste little time with that. We already have a pretty good idea of where our passions lie.
So Giuliana, thank you for this opportunity to share with you in this letter.
I look forward to hearing of the great things you accomplish with the awesome gifts you have been given.
Best regards
Colin
P.S.
This letter is for Giuliana and all the other normal stable human beings society has deemed, through it’s structures, to be sub-par and worthy of correcting.
So sad when society decides which self expression is acceptable and which is not!
It’s a complex issue, isn’t it? When you think about it, self-expression is such a vital part of who we are. Each of us has our own unique story, and it’s frustrating to see parts of that story dismissed or labeled as unacceptable. It can feel like society is putting up barriers to authenticity, which is disheartening.
It’s a complex issue, isn’t it? When society puts its thumb on the scale of what’s deemed acceptable, it can feel incredibly stifling. Everyone should have the chance to express themselves in ways that feel authentic to them, without judgment or fear of ridicule. It’s interesting to think about how different cultures or communities have varied standards of expression.
It’s a complex issue for sure. We all come from different backgrounds and experiences, which shapes how we express ourselves. It’s frustrating that some forms of self-expression get more acceptance than others, often based on outdated norms or misconceptions. Many people feel pressured to fit into these boxes instead of letting their true selves shine.