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I've alwasy joked that I was too ADD to do certain things, but it was only recently that I discovered it was no joke.
Several months ago I decided to drink the koolaid and follow my mother's footsteps and go into real estate. Then came the 150 clock hour requirement, all online. I grew really frustrated, I couldn't remember what I had read from one page to the next. Sitting still for hours on end was nearly impossible.
I knew I was a fairly intelligent person, so I couldn't understand that now that I was an adult, I couldn't act like it and buckle down and study.
During my school years I always struggled as a student, I thought it was because I was a class clown. I especially struggled in math, it was like my brain would shut down once I saw numbers. With that struggle came the poor grades. I was always social enough and devious enough, that I somehow managed to skate through. I still think they let me graduate because they wanted to get rid of me :P Don't get me wrong, I was popular among both my peers and teachers, always the fun one with something witty to say. Even in school I knew I wasn't dumb, or incapable of learning, I just didn't care. I've always been a voracious reader and have always loved to write (If you couldn't tell).
From a young age I knew I didn't want to go to college, so when I met Mr. Right we got married and started a family.
The day came that we needed to move to California for a promotion my husband earned. Once there it quickly became apparent that I would have to become a part time stay-at-home mom and get a job. I ended up going to work as a part-time reporter for a local newspaper. I had no experience so thankfully they gave me a shot. After a year a not so family-friendly company bought out the small paper and I had to quit. Within a month I took a leap of faith and started my own, bi-weekly, positive newspaper. It was a big success in the small county.
It was a big deal for me to have done something like that, I never in a million years thought I would be capable of doing something so big. I guess over the years I started believing that I was that flaky person I portrayed trying to get out of school work.
After a few years we moved back to Oregon and I was once again a full-time, stay-at-home mom. I enjoyed it but the kids were both in school full-time and I wanted to do something more. So, I decided to go into real estate.
When faced with the studying I became irritable and frustrated with myself and finally decided that something had to be wrong with me. This was something I really wanted and I just couldn't do it. So, I talked to my doctor who referred me to a specialist. So, after numerous tests I was diagnosed as a combo ADD/ADHD. After researching and learning about it, it was like a light bulb went on in my head, everything finally made sense. I'm not a flake and I'm not broken. I wasn't embarassed for people to know that I had it.
After that, a few weeks later I went in for more testing after having explained my issues with math during the ADD/ADHD testing. Turns out I have Dyscalculia. I had never heard of it before. Sure, everyone has heard of Dyslexia, but Dyscalculia?? nope.
So, once again I was on the internet and reading about Dyscalculia, and again what I read described me. But I find I am only comfortable telling my husband and a couple close friends. I know it's stupid but for some crazy reason it embarasses me. I don't know if it's because it's not something most people have heard of or what.
The person who conducted the testing just wrote a letter asking for accommodations when I take the math portion of my real estate exam, and again I feel ashamed. I know I need to get over it and eventually I will.
Here I am, 35 years old and I am just now getting answers to what has been wrong with me my whole life. I am thankful for that.
It's become a joke between myself and my best friend that during my ADD/ADHD testing it showed that I was "exceptionally intelligent." We love to laugh at that. Who knew?
Sorry for the long story!!! I am really glad to have found this forum and the additude.com website, it's been chalk full of information and support!! I don't know a lot, but I'm happy to help if anyone has any questions!