Personal Narrative: Living With ADHD

Imagine doing homework and then all the sudden you look at the guitar in the corner of your room and drop your pencil and play a song. Think about reading a book and then deciding you want to draw a picture that you were thinking about in your head. This is what it's like to live with ADHD. A spontaneous decision to stop what you're doing and do something else and then think of another thing and do that instead. When I was in 1st grade, I remember the strange lady who sat next to me everyday. She had a notebook and a serious look on her face and got mad at me whenever I disobeyed the classroom rules or became distracted by something. I always wondered why I was the only student who had some lady follow me around all day. I was aware of everything
As I got older I started realizing how different my learning abilities were from other kids my age. Once I entered 6th grade I began to take focus medicine. The first time I took the pill I remember the weird tingling in my hands and the uncomfortable jittery wave throughout my body. At first I didn't like the way it made me feel but over time I got used to it. Middle school was the first time I realized that I wasn't like the other kids, it was the first time I learned exactly what ADHD was. In 6th grade I was put into a class known as special education or tutorial. I used to lie to my friends about the class because I was embarrassed that people would think I was stupid and weird. Gradually I began to get more involved in my classes and enjoy learning and doing homework assignments. Just like most students, I work hard to get good grades and devote time to my school work and prepare myself for future success. I am 18 now and I have no problem talking about my ADHD or my 5th period special education class. I am proud of my struggles throughout school because It has taught me a lesson that anyone can overcome anything with will power and ambition to do