Hope

Often when I’m out with hubby getting a coffee or walking the dog someone might make a comment and I then stop and chat to that person for ages, all whilst my poor husband stands idly by listening.

Today on one of our many walks along the beach I met this lovely young man and his girlfriend. He did most of the talking as did I and it was his black and white border collie who decided to play fetch with our border collie that got us chatting.

We talked about our dogs who are the same age, similar in size and temperament, and then started to talk about other things.

He writes and plays music, which is common in my family and his uncle even wrote some ad jingles which were likely used by my dad in his line of work. But it was listening to him talk about school that really caught my attention.

I was telling him about my boys and how Lenis brother who was with me, was home from school because he had not been well. He then started to tell me how much school had failed him and that in year 10 he left because he was so tired of it and became rebellious. He felt as though he never fit in or was understood. Two very common traits of children and teens with ADHD.

As soon as he told me this I came right out and asked if he had ADHD and he was like how do you know that? I explained that Leni had it and that I could tell by what he was saying that he probably had it too.

He said not only did he have ADHD but he also had dyslexia and other learning difficulties so decided at the end of year 10 that he couldn’t do it anymore. His parents sensing his frustration decided to send him to The Australian Institute of Music for years 11 & 12 to see if focusing on his creative talents would make a difference.

Well it did make a difference and instilled his ongoing passion for music. It was so refreshing to hear this and be able to say out loud that I get it. School is not the be all and end all and it’s not everyone’s cup of tea.

It was nice to stand there and listen to this wonderful young man tell me about himself and be so honest and open. It was nice to know that he didn’t love school and he had some big struggles but he turned out ok.

It was nice to see him talk so passionately about the things that make him happy because often I worry for the future that awaits Leni. The challenges of high school and the pain of all the big feelings he will feel. Things that are hard for your ‘normal’ teen are only magnified for those with ADHD.

Meeting Alex only cemented for me how important it is that we continue to advocate for Leni, that we continue to be supportive and understanding of this crazy journey he is on and that we never, ever give up on him.

If he can just be ok with the cards he has been dealt and maybe one day stand on the beach and make another mum feel as hopeful as Alex made me feel then I know we got it right.

Thanks for the chat Alex 😊