The time has come for people who have ADHD and ADD to open up and talk about their challenges. That’s the message of organizers at Totally ADD, a Toronto area group dedicated to supporting, educating and advocating for individuals with ADHD and ADD.
These days, society is much more open about many health and personal difficulties. Sharing them can educate and shed light on issues and encourage public support. There was a time when diseases like AIDS where marginalized. But high profile support, particularly from the entertainment industry, helped people understand what it was all about. That helped to encourage public funding for research, educated individuals on ways to avoid transmission, and went a long way to help individuals receive the support they needed.
Awareness about ADHD and ADD can help build the same kind of public understanding and support. But that awareness requires people and families to be open about their personal challenges. Families who have children with ADHD must be prepared to advocate on their behalf in the school system, with doctors, camp councilors, team coaches, and even friends. Adults who are open about their challenges can improve conditions in their workplace by working with employers to find solutions and help them be more productive. Advocating with policy makers can improve funding for research, development of new medical solutions and other supports.
Taking ownership of ADHD and ADD is necessary to achieve these goals. As the people at Totally ADD suggest, there should also be pride of ownership. In other words, individuals should celebrate their lives instead of behaving like a victim. And there’s no better way to celebrate than to do it like a rock star. That’s why the group is offering a rock star t-shirt that allows people to proudly display their unique character to the world.
Available at the Totally ADD web site, the black shirts can be ordered in a variety of sizes for just $24. The site currently accepts payment through PayPal. Shop for the shirt here.
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