Very often, other people don’t understand our struggles. And one place I’ve almost always felt lonely was when I worked with people and had “normal ” coworkers.
I’ve always been an advocate for clients, and one thing I’ve noticed when reading many of the posts, is that those who have the disorders seem to have enhanced understanding and concern. I sure wish some people like this had been my coworkers. Then I would have had people to talk to who would have understood me. I wouldn’t have felt so alone.
I miss some of the work I’ve done, but can’t deal with the stress. There’s a loneliness in not being able to do some of the work that I really care about. I’m on disability. Yet I have some very good skills.
My specialty was working with children with very severe problems. Yet I can’t work in the typical situation.
I have experience working with autistic children, blind children, deaf children, etc. What I’m really good at is helping a child to relate. I’d love to just be with some very young autistic children. If they like water, I’d like to play with water with them. I’d like to try to find them where they are. I don’t see this as a total treatment method, but something that might be helpful once or twice a week for
a half hour on a one on one basis.
I was a child who needed someone to find me where I was. My parents were incapable of this. They had narcissistic needs. As a result, I never felt understood. What I wasn’t given is what I give best.
Also, I have many ideas of things I would like to do. If I can’t work, maybe I can do something on the internet (e.g., start a site to help parents of newly diagnosed children). I don’t know. But for now I have this site. And for that I’m very grateful.
Re: Loneliness
I definately understand the problems relating to “so called normal” people in work settings.
Re: Loneliness
Perhaps it ‘normal’ people who really have the problem. I too have felt lonely and on one understands least of all me understanding me. Our ability to see another who is lost in this locked out situation is not see yet as valuable to anyone but those who recieve our understanding. Please continue with this site it is important.
love and light
Demici.
Re: Loneliness
HI all,
I was just diagnosed, a few months after my 6 year old daughter was diagnosed, with ADD. This all occurred about 7 months ago. While meeting with drs and reading material about what *she* was going through, I realized I was looking at a reflection of myself as well.
It has been such a relief to realize that I’m not alone. It’s seeing myself as I truly am and TRYING to relax and become comfortable in my own skin. It is *also* sometimes like wearing clothes that are too tight and make me feel uncomfortable and miserable and being completely unable to get out of the darned things.
Okay, so what’s my point? Now I realize the WHY of what I’m like. My current “step” is to figure out HOW to life like this. WHAT do I do everyday so I can be a good parent, a good friend, and keep the house and other responsibilities in good enough condition that 1) I’m not overwhelmed, 2) I’m not embarrassed about my state of affairs and 3) that I’m not unnecessarily wasting time and money.
Most importantly, how do I affirm my daughter and reduce the amount of time that she and I are like two pieces of sand paper rubbing against each other?
I just found this site and think it’s WONDERFUL to read messages from others who are involved in ADHD issues in anyway.
Dawn
Re: Loneliness
Arlene sweetie,
I am in the same boat. After my job with the city I was in broadcasting school and then started my own talk shows. I produced and directed. I also had a co producer that I depended on because she was hyper than I was but yet did not have ADD/ADHD.
I could call her in the morning after something broke in the news ans say “I need this by tonight” Her response always was “it’s done already” She was my left and right hand. After 5 years, I realized if anything happened to her, I would not make it on my own. I quit.
It was the worse decision I had made. I miss the people. I was to smart but too unable to do things on my own because i could not physicaly write. I could not remember a lot of things. i did a lot of pretending.
To this day, I do not know how I rean that directors board and graphics machine as expertly as i did.
. You get the picture?
Dear: Arlene
Your site helps to provide a powerful light at the end of the tunnel for myself. It is a heavy burden that learning disabled persons must hold aganist the distort image of society’s perception of normalcy. You are not alone in your journey in redefine self and the perception of true inner beauty. You have been found by one also lonely butterfly who has seen in your words the colorful beauty of your compassion and kindness. Keep on growing and evolving in your journey of life. Best wishes. Erendira.