My ADD STORY
                                    by
                               J'aime Davy
        
        
             The following story is my ADD experience, I am sharing it 
        you, my fellow ADD'ERS.  People that aren't ADD, but have family
        members that are, please read this story.
        
             My story actually began in 2nd grade.  I had a problem with
        my Teacher.  She said that I never finished my work, and never
        handed in my homework.  My mother, thinking that the teacher was
        a bad teacher, switched me to a private school.  
        
             In order to place me in the correct grade, I was tested.  It
        was further determined that the grade that I would be placed in
        was Kindergarten.  Little did I know that this would haunt me
        later on in life.
        
             After 5 years of that private school, my dad was transfered
        out west to Washington State.  I found out the first day of
        school what I was up against.  I already had 3 strikes against
        me. 1) I had a double name (J'aime Lou), 2) I was from a southern
        state (Virginia is seen as southern from Washington) 3) I was 1
        to 2 years older than my classmates.  The way that I survived
        through that year was I told everyone that my parents started me
        in school late.  Little did I know that the ADD was the cause of
        it!
        
             7th grade was the start of the real problem.  I was tested
        again, but this time, they placed me in Special Education classes
        for the learning disabled.  For a teenager that caused acceptance
        problems.  When people found out that I was in Special Education
        classes, they labeled me "mentally retarded."  The exception was
        my true friends that knew my situation and accepted me for what I
        was.  Those people and my Special Education teachers moral
        support is what helped me through the dreaded Junior High school
        years.
        
             I would have to say that my first accomplishment was the
        result of a BIG crush on a boy in the band.  I decided in my 2nd
        semester of 9th grade (that was still Junior High) that I wanted
        to join the band.  I opted to play the drums.  I practiced like
        crazy!  By the time we filled out our High School registration, I
        knew that I would be a part of the High School band!  Was I
        thrilled!
        
             Band was one of the major turning points of my life.  I was
        still in Special Education classes, but I was accepted more from
        people.  I also was able to pick my classes.  BIG MISTAKE!  I
        decided to be in a "normal" English class and even a "normal"
        Geometry class.  By  thinking it would be an easy transition, I
        headed for class.  I failed both classes!  I then started
        thinking I was "mentally retarded", like my junior high
        classmates thought that I was.
        
             After just barely graduating from High School, I decided to
        go to College.  No luck there!  I became a social butterfly
        because no one cared for once that I was "LD".  I concentrated so
        much on making friends that my grades dropped to such a level
        that I finally had to drop out.
        
             I also had the classic problem that a lot of ADD'ERS have
        with jobs.  I got bored!  I usually lasted about 4 or 5 months
        before I would either get bored or get fired for "goofing" off. 
        I would also call in sick, not because I was physically sick, but
        because I was mentally tired.  My mind wouldn't work, therefore
        since I was also a perfectionist I wouldn't work if I couldn't
        give 100% to my job.
        
             The real turning point for me was in August of 1993.  A
        Psychologist from my Employee Assistance Program, who'd I had
        been referred to see, brought up the Attention Deficit Disorder. 
        She told me that she saw that I had some of the symtoms, and told
        me to read up on the subject.  I then read Attention Deficit
        Disorder material like it was going out of style.  The more that
        I read, the more bright the lightbulb in my head shined!  
        
             I then found out through Thom Hartmanns book (THANKS THOM!),
        that there was an ADD Forum in Compuserve.  I logged in and
        immediately became attached to it.  I talked to more and more
        people about what they had gone through.  The more I talked to
        people, the more I was convinced that I had ADD.  I had tried to
        go to a few Psychiatrists, but none of them really had studied
        ADD, so I thought that I was sunk.  I wrote a letter to everyone
        on the Forum, and I received a "reply" from Doug Everhart (HUGS
        DOUG!!!) telling me of a Psychiatrist from McLean, Virginia that
        diagnosed him in an hour.
        
             I made an appointment with him right away.  On Friday,
        October 22, 1993 was the day that I finally found out that I have
        ADD.  I was so thrilled!  I am now taking Ritalin, which so far
        is working!  
        
        
                                 ** THE END **