Re: Cassie - ADHD

[Guest guest]

Hello pancreatitis ,

In reference to your comment:

è Add to that the fact that Cassie has ADHD, non verbal learning disorder

and not been on any meds for it in over a year. Her GI says Since ritalin

and concerta are simulants he does not want her on them. They can cause

additional stomache pain as I'm sure you are aware of. Her ability to

control her impuliveness and activity is hard to control when she's feeling

the pains of her CP part of this is her trying to deal with pain and this

adds addtional stress on her and the rest of us too...>>>

Dear Patty and Cassie;

I just wanted to affirm you, Patty, as you continue to work so hard to help

Cassie as she deals with life in general. As a parent of a ADHD child (well

he is 21 now) I realize how difficult day-to-day can be. First I wanted to

tell you that I recently had the wonderful opportunity to meet an artist that

had a stroke a few years ago. My wonderful bosses (architects) are acquiring

jobs that we can give to him as he works towards recovery. In talking with

him I found out he has ADHD and he was able to describe how he sees life. It

is like a kalidescope (one of those round tubes that you see different colors

as you turn it) in that he sees things in an everchanging light, and isn't

always able to focus on one thing. BUT we have found that although he see

life " differently " it is an interesting way to look at life. For example, he

sent me a Thanksgiving card he drew from the turkey's perspective - " You

don't want to be a turkey - eat duck... " . He has to call me when he thinks

of something so he doesn't loose track of it, and I keep notes. He is

upfront about being different and that is okay.

For Cassie, please know that everyone is unique. You are a special person

and the important thing to remember is that you are important, there a many

people that are working towards a cure and a help for your pain. I know

there all PAI members wish you the best, and want you to take one day at a

time. Use your uniqueness to live each day as best you can. As for my son,

we (and by that I mean my husband, me and my son) worked hard towards his

graduation. It is okay that you learn in a different way. Try to connect

with the teachers that are willing to help. If not for the persistance of

two wonderful math teachers, Kenny would not have made it to graduation, but

they bucked the rules, gave him his finals verbally, and wrote letters to the

Board of Education to give him his math credits.

As for today, Kenny is 21 and working with his dad (as brick masons). He is

learning to get up every day (yes - at the last minute, but he has worked out

details such as having his work clothes in the bathroom to facilitate

dressing, has things for lunch in a line on the kitchen counter, and keeps

his phone, etc. by the front door so he can run to the truck as his dad is

turning around in the driveway). As for Kerry (my husband) he has learned to

give Kenny one task at a time...

I do hope your family had a good Thanksgiving and Cassie, may your pain be

less and may you learn to live life with joy in your uniqueness,

Gail West, Indiana Representative

Pancreatitis Association International