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What do David Letterman and Sarah Palin have to do with ADHD? That’s a good question, one I intend to answer, in my own way. Read on…
We can thank people like Ty Pennington, David Neeleman and most recently, author/ADD Coach Jennifer Koretsky for stepping into the national spotlight on TV to talk about ADHD. There are also people with ADHD sharing their stories openly in memoirs and in blog postings, as I do.
We need more awareness! I don’t mind the talk and belief in ADHD as a gift, because, when ADHD is managed well, some of our traits can be considered as gifts for some individuals; however, we need to realize and appreciate that most of the public still does not understand what ADHD is and how it affects people. I still read about others being ridiculed, joked about and chastised for their natural ADHD behavior.
ADHD is a disability, that’s how it is defined. If ADHD is not the cause of difficulties for the individual with it, regardless if ADHD provides gifts or not, then it is not ADHD, period. It used to be believed that ADHD was outgrown, but we know better now. First it was 10% didn’t outgrow it, then it was 20% – 30%, the percentage keeps rising… soon, I believe, the percentage will be closer to 90%. I believe this because of how we learn to cope as we get older and that many with ADHD find good situations where their difficult ADHD traits aren’t that obvious and they have learned to cope very well. With the state of the economy, and the saturated job market, prime situations for people with ADHD aren’t as available as they once were, this is making adults who may have thought they outgrew their innate ADHD tendencies realize that maybe they haven’t after all.
People with disabilities are protected by law in the workplace and in the education system. However, this isn’t enough; anyone with ADHD can tell you that. We need more awareness, as well as acceptance. We are getting there, but, if anyone thinks we are there yet, they are sadly mistaken. We still have a long way to go. I am still reading about how ADHD is fraud and if people with ADHD would just ‘act’ right then it wouldn’t be a problem and, of course, the crowd favorite, ADHD is just an excuse.
Don’t get me wrong, I have also read about schools, employers and individuals who have stepped forward to find good fits for people with ADHD, where they can thrive not only for themselves, but, also for others. In the right situation, ADDers can be a boon and do very well, depending and on a person by person basis. However, these are usually situations where ADHD is taken seriously for the disability that it is – let’s keep that in mind.
All of this leads me to what I wanted to write about in the first place: Late night talk show hosts like David Letterman and what he said about Sarah Palin’s daughter(s) recently! I may not be a parent; however, what he said crossed the line. If we allow people like David Letterman to openly belittle people, the way he did, and get away with it, then why shouldn’t anyone else be allowed to get away with it? Okay, I realize this doesn’t have anything to do with ADHD. This has to do with folks feeling like they can say anything about anyone in any way they want to, no matter how low. If this is okay, how can we expect any better of the everyday person we come in contact with each and every day? The next thing we will hear is: “What’s so wrong with what I said? David Letterman says worse all the time and nobody’s upset about that.”
Well, the truth is, people are upset about it and just saying anything degrading about people, any age, to get a laugh, isn’t acceptable. Or is it?
I have enjoyed episodes of late night commentary from time to time. David Letterman hasn’t been all bad, but, there comes a point when we have to step back and wonder how far is okay.
~Bryan
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I’ve been hearing about this in the news & online. I don’t agree that he should be made to publicly apologize or that he should be judged sop harshly for his comments. David Letterman is well known for his scathing remarks….that’s his style of comedy. If people don’t like it, then they just shouldn’t watch his show. Yes, there are times when I don’t agree with the remarks he makes, but we are ion America where there is freedom of speech & where we have remote controls that can easily change the channel. I still love David Letterman & I’m sure that his remarks were made as a joke…in poor taste maybe, but in jest none the less & I think we should all just move on.
Reply to Dawnditto what dawn said
Reply to jimboI pretty much feel the same way Dawn does. Maybe it was because it was Sarah Palin’s daughter that he was referring to, that made it more distastful. He might have gone overboard on this one, but this has always been his humor. Are we now going to censur comedians? let’s not get crazy!!. I think two apologies is more than enough. All Sarah Palin had to say “Was I Accept”. She didn’t have to give a whole speech. and I think that Sarah Palin likes being in the news, no matter at what cost. She went on like it was a platform for her bid for the 2012 election. We all remember our solders abroad, not just her. Also Barbara Walters stated that when they asked Sarah Palin recently if she was going to seek the governor’s seat again, she didn’t give an answer. I think she said something like she is looking at all areas. Wouldn’t be love seeing dead animals in the White House!!
Reply to Fran RuhI see what you all are saying and, I have enjoyed David Letterman and will again – I also think Jamie Foxx is an amazing talent, on I don’t know how many levels – I am also all for freedom of speech. I was a little worried that the Sarah Palin thing would get in the way of the real issue, she’s kind of out there and hard to sympathize with… so maybe we could think about this, Jamie Foxx suggested a few weeks ago that Cyrus “make a sex tape and grow up. Get like Britney Spears and do some heroin. Do like Lindsay Lohan … and get some crack in your pipe … That’s what I want.” Okay, Miley is 16 years old and Palin’s daughter is 14. There may not be a real trend yet and perhaps with Letterman’s apology this will stop. But then again, Foxx also apologized.
My whole point may not have worked in this analogy, due to the people involved, I can see that now. I wanted to point out how folks seem to believe they can say anything they want about anyone and it is okay, it doesn’t matter how low it goes. Kids do it in school and they are called bullies, when co-workers do it, it is called workplace bullying etc… etc… the ultimate question is why is it okay in the name of popularity, fame and entertainment ratings?
Reply to BryanThe culture in itself is very inattentive on its consequences for those with ADHD and have been so for many decades.
One could wonder why the History of ADHD have gotten so extreme little attention since it also describes the inattentiveness of the culture and society to realize the problems.
Reply to p-oPeople with AD/HD are still marginalized, both individually and as a group. I am writing my PhD dissertation about AD/HD and can’t tell you the number of times during my topic approval process that I was asked by committee members to consider the possibility that AD/HD might not be a reality. I have been advised that even my “my own book,” must include a section addressing this topic. I disclosed my own AD/HD to my committee before my project began. Even in the face of my stating my personal reality and struggles, evidenced (at least in part) by the fact that I often couldn’t finish my graduate papers on time and received around 12 “Incompletes” during the course of my graduate work, the majority of my committe members, highly educated individuals who hold PhDs, questioned me repeatedly on the topic of whether of AD/HD actually exists, whether it is simply a social construction, etc. They did not question me on other aspects of my dissertation topic that were far more critical, such as my proposed chapter arranged. I do not intend here to bemoan my negative experience in this instance or make more of it than it was; however, my reality is that marginalization is a form of exclusion and, to some degree, oppression. While this is my personal perspective, I believe that all personal stories should be considered if we are to raise awareness and, in this case, bring to light the reality of AD/HD. Too often our voices and experiences are not valued or heard., but rather dismissed.
Still, Letterman made an unfortunate joke, that was intended as just that, a joke. He certainly has the right to say what he wants. I do enjoy watching him. Many people make more offensive comments, either as jokes or statements of reality. Palin kinda overreacted, in my opinion But I sometimes cringe at things people say that might be offensive to others. There is a good chance that I am overly sensitive myself.
Reply to Jacquelyn HeddenI laud Bryan’s courage to, again, bring up a contraversial topic to make a point related to ADHD awareness. Sometimes my desire to sit on the fence, as well as my ADHD “waffling” on issues, makes me not trust my intuitions enough to make a decision. I listen to all sides and acknowledge the thinking behind all of them – (my social work background is partially the reason for this!). I’m happy to hear from a fellow ADHDer/Bryan who is willing to make some correlations publically that help me re-think and filter information. I realize that even though ADDers often see multiple sides of an issue, at our inner core we DO have a leaning based on our own belief system that often we deny. I’m so glad Bryan has provided a format demonstrates the importance of taking a stand on some important issues. It does matter, and I now am realizing my real opinion on today’s topic instead of feeling “wishy-washy.” I value freedom of speech highly (as long as it isn’t intended to invoke harm), I value the right to privacy (as long as it doesn’t present a danger to self or others), I believe “no man is an island. . . ,” and because of that we need to respect our fellowman and preserve his dignity. I’m a fun-loving person who smiles alot and loves to find the humor in – well, in life. I’n not a big late night TV fan but have usually preferred DL because he’s not so “giddy.” I have respect for SP as well as her family although I’m not an avid, overboard follower. These things considered, my opinion is that DL as well as his writers were out of line with that “joke.” The children of a celebrity or politician didn’t choose to be in the limelight or to be made the butt of a joke (neither did the celebrity or politician, hopefully). Whether SP or her family took offense at the comment/joke or not, it was uncalled for and it DID potentially harm a person, persons, several groups of persons, and a community of unwed, or abused, or —– I could go on. The unawareness of many conditions in life continues to feed tactless people’s need to make fun of others. I’m sorry that in the past, before my diagnosis, as a professional who should know better, I often made light jokes about “being ADD” when I’d screw up something I was doing. I now feel a twinge in my chest when others, unknowingly, make light jokes about ADD/HD.
Thanks Bryan. I’ve grown today!!
Reply to JPIf this trend to political correctness and sanitization of everything continues we are not going to have any adult humor left. DL is on a late night TV show for adults. This joke would have been inappropriate if it was made in the workplace or at school where you have no choice but to coexist with others, if you don’t like his jokes, turn your TV off. I am an avid baseball fan and found this joke hysterical. Especially after Palin’s daughter just made the rounds on every morning talk show peddling her teenager abstinence routine. I couldn’t believe she actually took her baby on several of them and kept looking at the baby like it was the best Christmas gift she ever got-like EVERY teenager would want one! She even stated on one show that if teenagers are going to have sex, they should use a condom. Pleeeeeeze!!!!
Children should be off limits to comments – but candidates that have children should leave them home when on the campaign trail. Palin paraded her pregnant daughter on stage many times. If they don’t want people to comment on them then they should leave them HOME! The game of politics is played in a public forum. I am tired of public figures whining about the negatives of publicity.
The only mistake DL made was confusing the two daughters – they look like twins to me – an easy mistake to make. His joke was about the older one who had just finished the morning talk show circuit. When she went out on her own public tour separate from her mother, as far as I’m concerned, its game on!
Reply to DebWow Deb, I guess Sarah Palin is a too hot and not good for my analogy as it seems my point is lost in the people presented, as I said above in another comment. However, whether I agree with you or not ( sorry, I don’t
), I really like how well you wrote your comment, it is fabulously written!
JP, I appreciate that you saw past my glowing hiccup in judgment in using these people to get my point across and broke it down to understand exactly what I was getting at and, got it! Ultimately, it wasn’t about DL and SP. Thanks for that
P-O – is it inattentiveness, or are we desensitized to what’s going on and an open acceptance one way (in another’s direction) rather than in one’s personal direction?
Jacquelyn, I would very much like to read your dissertation, if that’s possible. Thank you.
Bryan
Reply to BryanWhat’s really weird to me is how his comment, however distasteful to some, has been misconstrued by the right-wing “Fire Letterman!” gaggle as Letterman saying that Palin’s daughter was raped. He said she was “knocked up.”
Sorry, IMHO, Palin shamelessly used her older daughter’s pregnancy in her campaign’s favor (at least she thought she did), bragging about how Bristol was “doing the right thing” and getting married. (Funny how, when that didn’t pan out, she didn’t go on the stump on about that. ) She made this a public issue — and therefore fair game.
Palin also shamelessly campaigned prior to that on a “just say no” abstinence platform — as if she wasn’t living proof that it didn’t work in her household. But it was the “red meat” for her fans.
I agree with everything else you say here, Bryan, but pointing out the hypocrisies of grandstanding politicians is what we rely on comedians for these days.
Reply to Gina PeraBryan, I know my comments seemed caustic, can you tell I’m a Democrat (aka political junkie)? I have rather strong feelings about the way the Palins use the media. I remember being outraged when Bill Clinton’s then minor daughter was called “ugly” in the media. She was not out there making public appearances, just waving to the crowd. This is a different story – if Bristol wants to have a public face, she and her mother better get used to people having opinions of all sorts-because it is our right.
Back on topic-when my son was in middle school where t-shirts were scrutinized and heavily censored, they sent a girl home for having a shirt that read “girls rule”. There was no opinion about a boy that wore a shirt that stated “Dyslexics, Untie!!!!” My niece and nephew are both severely dyslexic-I don’t know how they felt about this shirt, but I thought it was cruel. When I mentioned it to the team leader, she said,”I’ve had no complaints.” As if she were waiting for a 12 year old to show his or her hurt over a mockery of their learning disability in a public way. I think it would be rare for a child of this age to make themselves so vulnerable.
Your point is right on. If we do not feel the hurt of others and make a stand every time we see it, the hurt continues as if condoned. I felt hurt every time I saw that boy wearing his shirt.
As adults we need to take a stand and be vocal, especially to give a voice to those who cannot for whatever reason speak on their own behalf. Several of the other mothers told me that they agreed with me, but they would not voice their opinion to the administration (this included the special ed teacher!)
Also as adults we need to be discretionary as to what we repeat and when we repeat it. I remember my mom telling me that the one who repeats gossip (to the subject) is worse than the one who started it! But I don’t want to have a world where all we have is Sesame Street and porn. Let’s leave late night to the adults.
Thank you for the compliment-I seem to be able to find my voice here. You are an inspiration to me!
Reply to DebWhen Sarah Palin paraded her pregnant unmarried daughter onto the stage and put her in the limelight, Palin herself crossed the line. It’s hypocritical to now be offended when someone else points out that her daughter ain’t no angel. (Now…if Palin kept her daughter OUT of the limelight…then Letterman would have been wrong to do what he did.)
On a different note…congratulations on passing the 1,000 member mark on your ADDerWorld social networking site.
Reply to JeffThanks Jeff! Let’s get to 2000 members this year!! We’ve got some very good conversations going on over there and building on each other’s experiences.
Deb – that dyslexia shirt seems way out of line… and about ‘girls rule’, well, yeah, just ask my wife!
in a good way, of course.
Reply to BryanBryan,
I’m not lyin. I thank you for at lst trying.
Yes I agree, it’s not Easy.
Mixing ADD, and Politics into the Scene.
I’m not trying to be mean.
Just try adding God to the Scene.
There is alot of the Computer Scene, that Is a bit mean and obcene.
I’m Not apologizing for being a Sara Palin Fan.
And I’m doing the best that I can with my own attention Span.
God, ADD, and Politics
It’s Hot.
And I’m Putting it in a Pot.
I’m Not Joking.
God Has spoken.
We Live in a Country that is broken.
Yes I’m very Outspoken.
With these Words I am Poking.
In No Way is it Okay,
or God’s Way to Play this
Way.
And Today I pray I can share it in my Word Play.
Words that We blurt,
We need to be Sensitive and not hurt.
David Letterman is Dirt.
Hey I”m not afraid to Sweep and Clean.
I’m tired of mean.
It’s time to get rid of this kind of stinking.
And Who cares what I’m thinking?
Well I know God does.
He we can agree to disagree.
And I can’t let that be.
But its God I think we all should see.
The Land of the Free.
Yes God has Helped me to See
My Own Gift of ADD.
It’s Swift,
Catch my Drift,
and I’m Using it to Uplift.
Sara Palin and her family took responsibility
for their actions.
Wheter or not you like it.
I’m ready to commit to sharing it.
In my Lit.
Yes I’m Full of Wit.
Ask me to chill out with that Rit.
Hey I can’t just sit and let this abuse take place.
It’s a Disgrace
To the Human Race.
I’m not going to fall on my Face.
I’m Wanting to Help the Human Race.
To Make it a Better Place
and Give God Grace.
You See God Set me free
to see this gift of ADD.
And What it means.. to be Free.
Freedom of Speech I do preach.
When You Go Out to Teach and Outreach.
The Palin Family is doing just that.
And this Topic is Fat.
Bryan, to Say Sara Palin is Way Out there.
Just Sharing a Piece of my ADD mind,
Reply to LaurieDo I dare Share.
I really did thing this Website was a place where people did care.
Personally I want to go to places where I can be my ADD self. And Not Have people gabbing and Sara Palin Jabbing. Theres so much negativity out there do I dare share. And I have a ADD gift that is Rare. But Do I dare share it? Not Sure Now you all can grin and bare it? Hey the Wit…
Well I’ll admit.. it doesn’t fit into my ADD brain.
I’d rather not have Pain. Or need to explain.
I pray God Helps me to use this ADD brain
to advocate and educate. Not Hate. I want to clean that Slate. And Serve Love not hate out on a plate. I’m driven that’s a Given. Driven to Take POSITIVE ACTION! Tired of the Negative Distractions and Reactions. It’s Time We Take Responsibility for Our Own Actions and stop worrying about everyone else. Sharing With God’s Love From Above Like a Messenger Dove.
Please be forgiving but it’s Kindness and not blindness I want to be giving. I’m doing my best to make a living and giving to be living.
Yes I’m Stranger, but I’m not a Danger.
Nor am I a Stranger Danger. I like to think of my
self as a life changer. Just doing my best to help a country in danger. But I know I can’t play the long ranger. Just I’m Just Praying for a Better World Where we Can take off those blinders and share kinder. Sara Palin get’s my Vote any day.
The World is Not Okay, and We better Wake up today. Yes We all have gone astray. Its Not God’s Way. Nor is it Okay. That’s All for Now that I have to Say. Sorry I can’t play that politic
ick, it’s “Sick” and it’s a Trick with the Words Today you have to pick. The Words are Ripe.
And this Blog left me in Hype. Sorry I’m a bit now full of hyper. Yes a Hyper Typer.
Ready to Energize like the Energizer Bunny.
Hey I’ve taken a Licking and I’m Coming back Ticking.
to give other’s a Peace of Mind. Doing my best to Share it in Kind, in the Daily Grind. Yes I do find that People are blind and not kind to “other kinds of mind” Perhaps Sara Palin Has a different kind of mind?
And Say Those of You With that ADD label?
How would you like people joking about you or your love ones? Sorry there is nothing funny about this kind of “Humor”
Respect is What God expects.
Laurie, powerful words, thanks for sharing!
Reply to BryanLaurie,
Powerful words, indeed !
Words from the Heart & the Mind.
Meir
Reply to Meir FuchsAfter reading all the comments/opinion pieces about Sarah Palin and David Letterman’s ill-written joke, I think the entire point about Bryan’s article was NOT the intent of the joke, but rather our NEED to stand up against the attacks brought on by those that misunderstand ADHD – regardless the degree of humor!
We’ve enough trouble gaining acceptance and understanding for our condition, and sorry to say that battle is NOT being won. I face the impact of my inattentiveness on a daily basis (I’m a sales manager), and the snide comments don’t contribute in any meaningful way to establishing coping strategies or support that can benefit myself or the organization.
When I taught middle school, I once saw the other students gang up on a boy diagnosed with ADD/ADHD. Sensing that the time was right (a teachable moment), I got the class together and brought up the subject of ADD/ADHD. I likened it to a student needing glasses to help their focus. I asked “Would you tease a kid that had glasses? DUH! Of course you would – you’re kids!” After the laughter they mostly agreed that their teasing was done out of ignorance, and also that there was a great deal of pack-following going on…The ADD/ADHD child (and his parent) were profusely thankful for discussing it with the class, and she said that for the first time in his school career he had classmates (and a teacher) willing to help him!
Moral judgements about Sarah Palin and her family do not contribute one iota to Bryan’s core message – in fact they’re evidence of ADHD (LOL)!
Reply to MichaelThank you for getting it Michael and saying so!
Reply to BryanWhat I think would be interesting is…… Sarah,David,Ohpra,Rush,and Ted Nugent, in a game of “Who can keep from making a sound the longest?”. I’m betting on………
Reply to Scott HutsonOh Gosh, certainly Rush! Or, Sarah? Nah, Sarah would quit first! lol
Reply to Bryan Hutchinson