I have decided to write about something which concerns me and leaves me feeling a bit perplexed. Lately, when I have told people that I am writing a book about my life’s struggles and later accomplishments of “living with undiagnosed ADD” they always seem to ask the same question: “Why do you want people to feel sorry for you?”
That question perplexes me! Seriously, why is it the first thing asked is considering that I want people to feel sorry for me? It seems that is the impression most people have and it is one of my goals to change that impression. I do not feel embarrassed that I have ADD and I don’t want or need anyone to feel sorry for me. I am a very capable person. Actually, if anything, many of my ADDer traits are positive and have helped me become successful in the many things I have done. Yes, I agree, when I was a child and I did not know I had ADD and therefore it was a very difficult experience. But, I don’t want anyone to feel sorry for me–I would much prefer people look at the story and realize that diagnoses is very important and by reading my story people can see the life of a person with ADD or ADHD from a personal, raw perspective. ADD is a part of who I am, but it is not ALL that I am. I think it is very important to spread the word. ADD is not an excuse and it is not a disability in the respect that we cannot become successful in our own way, because, we can and we do become successful.
Should anyone feel sorry for me or other ADDers? I don’t think so and I would prefer people rather rejoice and be happy for us that we have talents we might not otherwise have and with proper diagnoses and treatment people with ADD or ADHD can live powerful fulfilling wonderful lives!
~Bryan
