Hailey's story
My name is Hailey and I am twenty years old—a student, a daughter, a sister, and I have been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). These titles have become part of my life, but they don't define who I am.
Since I was a small child I felt conflicted with my identity and how I fit into the world. As a child with learning issues I had difficulty understanding why I was different. I had trouble with concentration, impulsivity, and I often lied or acted out. I also struggled with anxiety and the image of myself which later affected all the domains of my life. However, I was also happy, creative, social and always wanting to understand and connect with others. As I got older, I realized that my ADHD was here to stay.
With the help and support of “Shed the Light”, family and friends, I learned coping strategies. By speaking out and educating others I empowered myself. This has given me clarity and a sense of self. I therefore made it my goal to view ADHD as something positive that made me special—my motivation to attend college to become a Child & Youth Worker. I now strive for the best in every part of my life as well as try to touch the lives of others with what I have learned.
I now know that I am more than just a few basic titles. I'm a million deep complex titles that are more than words and descriptions. I'm a person who hopes to inspire others to see the potential and possibilities within themselves as I had discovered within myself. I'm still on my journey for creating the image of my life. Without my mental health struggles I wouldn't be the person I am today. I am Hailey, and I am proud to say I have ADHD, and to be honest, I am so much more than that. So in honour of this I have given myself my own title, “I AM ME”.
Since I was a small child I felt conflicted with my identity and how I fit into the world. As a child with learning issues I had difficulty understanding why I was different. I had trouble with concentration, impulsivity, and I often lied or acted out. I also struggled with anxiety and the image of myself which later affected all the domains of my life. However, I was also happy, creative, social and always wanting to understand and connect with others. As I got older, I realized that my ADHD was here to stay.
With the help and support of “Shed the Light”, family and friends, I learned coping strategies. By speaking out and educating others I empowered myself. This has given me clarity and a sense of self. I therefore made it my goal to view ADHD as something positive that made me special—my motivation to attend college to become a Child & Youth Worker. I now strive for the best in every part of my life as well as try to touch the lives of others with what I have learned.
I now know that I am more than just a few basic titles. I'm a million deep complex titles that are more than words and descriptions. I'm a person who hopes to inspire others to see the potential and possibilities within themselves as I had discovered within myself. I'm still on my journey for creating the image of my life. Without my mental health struggles I wouldn't be the person I am today. I am Hailey, and I am proud to say I have ADHD, and to be honest, I am so much more than that. So in honour of this I have given myself my own title, “I AM ME”.
