Personal Narrative: My Experience With Attention Deficit Disorder

I was a difficult child from the moment I was born. I cried when anyone but my mother held me, I hated loud noise so eating out at a busy restaurant was impossible, and I generally was displeased with the world. As I grew older, it was discovered that I suffered with Attention Deficit Disorder, or ADD. I feel these experiences have shaped my gender and what I identify as.
Due to the nature of my ADD clothing became very difficult for me. Some days I couldn’t bare the thought of wearing sock; thus I stayed naked in bed when I should have been at school. Eventually, I moved on from girly clothing to exclusively shopping in the young boy’s department at JcPenny. My mother didn’t seem to mind that both of her daughters wore traditionally boy’s clothing. I liked dressing in boy’s clothes because they were comfortable and they came with cool toys attached to them, (a big selling point for any kid). I think of this experience often when I am asked about being cisgendered. I have always questioned whether I am
I started to explain that I struggle with female relationships and have always felt more comfortable hanging with “the boys.” I recalled that most of my close relationships were with men and it was easier being friends with them. My mom then quietly asked if I was trying to come out to her or if I was a man. I was shocked and loudly exclaimed “no!” We both had a good laugh and I recall this moment fondly. I had a parent who was listening to what I had to say, and one who wanted to have an open conversation about my sexuality or even my gender preference.
When thinking about my gender I consistently recall these two experiences. I am thankful to have both a mother and a father who would love me, even if they couldn’t understand my choices at first. However, I feel blessed to say that I was born in the right body and am able to express such feelings in a positive