I Have a Dream Too

I decided to reprint this post from a year ago.

Last night, I listened to Martin Luther King’s “I Have a Dream” speech on YouTube. And I realized that I have a dream too.

I have a dream that no child with ADD will grow up thinking he or she is stupid, lazy, ditzy, or just plain bad.

I have a dream that no child with ADD will look into an adult’s eyes and receive in return a disparaging look.

I have a dream that all children with ADD will grow up unashamed of who they are.

I have a dream that no child will be told they “just” need to sit still or try harder or pay attention.

I have a dream that the general public will come to understand that ADD involves a complex interaction of multiple genes and environmental factors, some of which people can control and some of which they can’t.  

I have a dream that all people with ADD will recognize their own strengths and learn how to build on them.

I have a dream that every couple affected by ADD will find compassion for each other and the ability to see and build on their positives as individuals and as a team.

I have a dream that when a couple affected by ADD divorce, they get the support they need to do so with respect, creating a healthy new relationship as former partners and, if applicable, co-parents. 

I have a dream that when children act in challenging ways, people will know enough not to assume bad parenting is to blame.

I have a dream that when people with ADD struggle in their jobs, their superiors will not automatically judge or fire them, but will instead confront them with understanding, patience, and resources to help them perform better. Alternatively, I wish struggling workers the means to discover career paths that are better fits.

I have a dream that people with ADD who are in jail or prison will be treated with love, understanding, and the help they need.

I have a dream that people with ADD who also have addictions will find freedom in recovery.

I have a dream that when people set boundaries around negative ADD behaviors, they do so with love and compassion as well as honesty.

I have a dream that people will learn to see the complexity of ADD instead of the black and white.

I have a dream that people with and without ADD will not criticize each other’s styles, but instead dovetail their complementary strengths to do good work.

I have a dream that people will someday share openly the fact that they have ADD, matter-of-factly and without shame or embarrassment. 

I have a dream that someday the terms ADD and ADHD will be replaced with a name that accurately reflects both the challenges and the positives of the condition.

I have a dream that someday all people with ADD will have access to the tools and support they need to be able to contribute to the world and live in accordance with their values.

I have a dream that the world will learn to celebrate not only racial and ethnic diversity, but neurodiversity as well.

We’ve elected and inaugurated our first black president. Who knows what else is possible!

What dreams do you have?

Comments

[bcn.boulder.co.us/%7Eneal]

What a marvelous idea!

This kind of creative take-off on such a famous speech is just one hint as to the power of people with ADD and their potential for hyperproductivity. I think that adding more positive ADD attributes to this dream would be fun. E.g. from Thom Hartmann's "The Edison Gene: ADHD and the Gift of the Hunter Child": http://www.amazon.com/Edison-Gene-ADHD-Hunter-Child/dp/0892811285

[Kathleen Christensen]

Oh, yes, that's a wonderful book! I recommend it. And great idea about this post--I can look at adding more thoughts along those lines in next year's version!