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Kathy S. updated their profile

September 7

Kathy S. left a comment for Bryan Hutchinson

September 7

Kathy S. replied to Bryan Hutchinson's discussion 'How to Remember to Take Things With You'

Love the bathroom clock idea Dana, that's one I could really use. I never thought I could "loose track" of time in the bathroom, but I can and I do and suddenly I'm late! Miss K, I totally relate to the "off limits" areas of the house for clutter...

July 9

Kathy S. replied to Bryan Hutchinson's discussion 'How to Remember to Take Things With You'

Some of the same information is in the book: ADD-Friendly Ways to Organize Your Life. I took a large wicker side table whose top is more like a large serving tray, and placed it right next to the small front door foyer. That's the "take with you" ...

June 24

Kathy S. and Bryan Hutchinson are now friends

June 23

Bryan Hutchinson left a comment for Kathy S.

June 23

Kathy S. left a comment for DANA

June 22

Kathy S. replied to Scott Patterson's discussion 'Quick Protein Breakfast?'

I'm only 7 months late on responding to this question, but better late than never! Some favs of mine and the kids still living at home (11 & 12): Homemade yogurt soy with sliced fresh fruit and a drizzle of honey, homemade yogurt cheese (yogurt th...

June 21

Kathy S. updated their profile photo

June 20

Kathy S. is now a member of ADDer World Anything and Everything ADHD

Welcome Them!

June 20

Comment Wall (3 comments)

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At 5:06pm on June 23, 2009, DANA said…: Hello Kathy! I love your photographs! The baby chicks are so cute!

I found you by looking at the newest members on ADDer World. All you do is click "members" and it will take you to the newest members. There are so many members now that it is hard to keep up with everyone, but Grand Rapids, MI caught my eye and that is how I clicked onto your profile.

Are those cute children in the photographs your kids? What beautiful children!
What are you doing this summer to keep busy? Are you still working or did I read that you are not employed? I have a background in the medical field and the beauty industry, but currently, I am no longer working outside the home, due to fibromyalgia. Over one year ago, I was diagnosed and I was having many medical challenges so I resigned from my job to focus on my health.

The good thing about not working outside the home is that it gave me the opportunity to reignite my love for writing articles and short stories. Ever since I resigned from work, I have been keeping very busy writing articles, short stories and starting up several blog websites. My kids keep me busy, too.

Have a good week!

At 3:56am on June 23, 2009, Bryan Hutchinson said…: Welcome to ADDer World Kathy! I noticed you were late diagnosed - I look forward to reading more about your experiences. I hope my book helps your husband understand our condition a bit better and is helpful to your entire family.

Btw: I love the pictures!! Those tiny chicks are awesome :-))

Bryan

At 10:32pm on June 21, 2009, DANA said…: Hello and Welcome Kathy! It was so interesting reading about you, your kids, your hubby! About 12 years ago, I was evaluated and diagnosed with ADHD, after my son was diagnosed with ADHD. Since then, my two daughter's have both been evaluated and diagnosed. My 14 year old has the inattentive ADD, while the 11 year old has the hyperactive ADHD. My son is now 18 so he does not act as hyper as he did when he was much younger. He has mellowed down with age, which I consider a nice thing compared to bouncing off the walls!

So you live in Grand Rapids, Michigan? Did you grow up there? I was born in Midland, Michigan, but once my parents divorced, we moved to Pittsburgh, PA. Several of my relatives still live in Michigan. I love how flat the roads are compared to Pittsburgh's curvy, bumpy and steep hills!

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About me & Relation to ADHD or other condition?: Diagnosed about 6-7 years ago (I'm 58 now). Married 35 years, think hubby has another variation of ADHD, just discovered June 2009. Son, 11 just underwent hours of testing. We suspect ADHD & probably some other co-morbidities relating to his 2 open-heart surgeries, abondonment at 1 month of age, institutionalization in China until 3 1/2 yrs, adopted, learning another language & culture etc. Probably some PTS and SI.

Our oldest daughter, 30, I'm positive has ADHD, but some therapist talked her out of the diagnosis and gave her a year or two of biofeedback therapy for her anxiety instead, along with some questionable (IMHO) alternative therapy. She's in grad school now and doing well, but under very high, mostly self-imposed stress levels. She exercises beyond normal levels to keep slim. I guess that's better than having developed anorexia or bulimia, the later of which she toyed with in high school. She is super intelligent, trilingual and has spent (if you add it all up) years abroad, including Europe and South America. China as well as Finland, Sweden and Estonia.

I don't think our 2nd oldest daughter has ADHD, but she has persistent generalized anxiety, which was diagnosed when she was 2 (she's 28 now) and she's functioning pretty well as an adult, working at a fairly high level in a MI university and traveling internationally for her work. She is tri-lingual and has also spent over 4 years living and traveling abroad including: Japan, Germany, Austria, Europe, China, Thailand and Malaysia.

I'm still trying to put together my new life with my whole summer off after the structure of 8 months at my new job and an hour and a half commute each way to work with a car pool! A year ago, August 2008, I got the most wonderful job as a secretary in an collegiate, academic advising environment (our little office is actually in one of the dorm complexes).

I'm underemployed, and have the best boss I've ever had in my entire work life (thank you Debra!) I have PLENTY of stimuli from the students, my boss gives me tons of autonomy and freedom to use my creativity and intelligence to actually work outside my job description. I've been able to learn from 3 terrific academic advisers, and as my knowledge base has expanded over the months, I've been given the latitude never given the secretaries before-I'm allowed to solve lower level problems with/for students, leaving advisers free to see more students. I also get to use my copious "social and mothering" skills to instantly (in most cases) relate to students when they come through our always open door, as someone who's walked in their shoes as both a student and the mother of college students.

I have a flex position, which means I continue to get full benefits all year, but only work and get paid for 9 months of employment. I was so excited about this opportunity, especially since there are currently only 29 of us in an employee base of 6166 support staff!!

The REALITY of suddenly being unemployeed, is that I love ALL my structure, and I've been floundering, big time! My poor son is driving me crazy, because I can see now, being around him as a freshly minted 6th grader, how much his ADHD symptoms and whatever other issues he has is affecting the quality of his life (and consequentially, mine).

I've ordered Bryian's book for my husband and I to read. My DH just does NOT seem to GET why our little guy does not like to be teased. I keep telling him that by defination, teasing is a MEAN thing, being done for the amusement of the teaser at the expense of the child. I know my husband doesn't mean to BE mean, but it makes life stressful and is slowly driving them appart. I think the book will help DH realize he's repeating what happened to him as the youngest child growing up being "different" and not knowing why his Dad would never let him help with "important" work projects around the farm.

Well, that turned long, didn't it?!

Cheers, to a brighter, more productive day tomorrow and the day after, but only one day, one hour, 15 minutes at a time. With fresh batteries alwasy in the drawer for the timer and a fresh pack of Post-it-Notes always at your side,

Kathy