I find myself asking that question a lot, and the answer is very 100% without a doubt yes. Lucy Bronze, recently sat down with the BBC and said “I see my ADHD and autism as my superpowers”.
This is exactly how I see my Dyslexia and ADHD; however, my journey looks a bit different right now. As I write this piece, I am currently navigating a diagnosis for both. So here is my story on how I currently mange day to day life.
When I was a child, I was diagnosed with mild dyspraxia and growing up I quickly learnt that ADHD and Dyslexia go hand in hand with Dyspraxia.
What is ADHD?
You may be thinking what is ADHD? It’s a neurological disorder, which impacts the brain’s function. People with ADHD may have trouble with focusing, difficulty being organised, and being forgetful.
What is dyslexia?
Dyslexia is also known as word blindness, and it is a learning disability that effects either your reading or writing. People with dyslexia may suffer from difficulty spelling words, confusing letters with similar shapes and learning new languages.
What is it like navigating a diagnosis?
Navigation has such beauty despite the challenges faced, it has given me a greater understanding of who I am as a person, and an understanding of how I best work in an academic and professional setting. At times, it can be quiet overwhelming, because you are aware of what’s going on, but nothing is official. If you are feeling the exact same, and navigating a diagnosis, remember you are on the right path.
When learning about the journey that I am on, both ADHD and dyslexia have given me so much creativity, which has enabled me to plan and design my very own workshop Get Talking, which is part of my work with Hertfordshire FA Youth council. Like previously touched, I see them both as my superpowers, one thing with ADHD, you are always thinking one step ahead, this was particularly helpful, when I created my own tv show, and had to read of an autocue, I always knew what was coming next due to me being that one step ahead.
One thing that I would like to get better and work through, would be learning to have an off switch, due to me always thinking ahead, I am constantly thinking about what needs to be done next or what hasn’t got done that day.
The beauty of being in the National Youth Council space, it gives you an opportunity to be vulnerable, which has pointed me in the right direction for the support I need along this journey.
What helps me?
One of my challenges, would be that it takes me a few tries, to process new information. For me to be able to retain this information, I have to write it all down, so having various notebooks is helpful so I can store all the information and remember what has been spoken about.
Another thing that I find super helpful is organising my google calendar into categories, for example personal, FA Youth Council both national and county, any university dates, and key work experience dates. This is to enable me, to stay on top of deadlines, and remember any tasks that I need to complete. Anyone who knows me, will know I live by post it notes, this is to help with to do lists throughout the day, as well as remembering key information.
Finally, away from a professional setting I find colouring, listening to music, and going for coffee really helpful, because it shifts my focus and I can relax for a period of time.
I end this story by saying thank you to everyone who had supported me along my journey, and to all the people that have taken a chance on me.
Remember not all hero’s wear capes, and you can achieve anything you put your mind to.
