Parent of a young children w/ADHD? our story...

Today is #GreyhoundsGive Day, a 24 hour fundraiser for my alma mater and Chad's future school Loyola University Maryland. I am NOT asking for donations. While reflecting on the prompt #WhyIGive it led me to share our journey over the past 18 years. I feel compelled to share our story in the hopes that if even 1 parent is going through a rough time with their #ADHD child I am here to tell you THERE IS LIGHT AT THE END OF THE TUNNEL, I promise! xo xo

To say that I've had a tough life would be…appropriate. Not an understatement yet I certainly know many people have had it much worse. I am an alumni of Loyola University Maryland. Going to school there was not a cakewalk for me or my family financially. I was forced to take one year off of school to work three jobs to help pay my way but I did and I graduated and loved every bit of it. When I used to walk around campus I would sometimes daydream about my future kids going to school there. My son Chad has had a hard go of it as well, since he was a toddler he has been a handful. He got kicked out of a few toddler programs and when he started school in EC3 he was in trouble every day. His teacher finally typed up a sheet of paper, cut it in thirds, with his name on it and a list of all his various “transgressions”. Every day at pick-up time I was anxious and worried for the daily report and each day she would circle whatever things he did wrong that day and hand me the slip of paper. It was so discouraging. He was later diagnosed with a slight heart issue (that has since resolved itself) and ADHD.

Fast forward to right now, today. If you told me 15 years ago that my son would be successful in a mainstream private Catholic school ages 3 through 12th grade, be a part of Campus Ministries, LifeTeen, LifeForce Junior Core, a Eucharistic Minister, travel to DC for the March for Life, play JV football, crew, lacrosse, have a true heart for Christ and be accepted into the only two colleges he applied to Loyola (my alma mater) and Catholic University (my late fathers alma mater) I would have said you were crazy but here we are. I have never in my entire life been as pleasantly surprised, proud and grateful as I am now. I am a single mom and of course we require financial aid to attend Loyola and that is why I give. To give back and help others, even if in a small way, to somehow be a part of another child and parent's hopes and dreams. Even though we need, we still give. If there is one thing I learned at Loyola and have drilled into my sons minds is that you do for others, no matter what. #StrongTruthsWellLived #AMDG #ADHD