When I was between the ages of 12-16 or so, I loved reading teen magazines, especially if it featured The Beatles and fun facts about them- most likely made up by the writers. By the way, did you know that they got the idea for their name from Buddy Holly and The Crickets?

I also appreciate when experts in my field open up about their own struggles. I can tell you that most of my colleagues, like me, still are challenged with certain aspects of executive functioning. Like, staying on top of filing papers (yick), getting to places on time, etc.

It normalizes our own struggles when you read or hear of theirs.

So today I thought I’d share some things about myself that perhaps you didn’t know:

  1. When I was seven, I almost died of a burst appendix because my doctor misdiagnosed me with having the flu.
  2. I wasn’t diagnosed with ADHD until I was 41.
  3. I had to go to summer school after 11th grade because I chronically skipped school due to my intense anxiety issues.
  4. I met Paul McCartney five years ago when he invited me on stage at his concert in Grand Rapids, MI. Read more about that at HERE.
  5. I worked as a jeweler for years during high school and college. Yet I don’t wear any jewelry.
  6. My father died suddenly when I was ten.
  7. I started seeing a therapist at the tender age of nine, because of school refusal.
  8. I have broken more bones (MY bones) than I can count. Just this past June, I broke both elbows and a wrist. Nice going!
  9. I can’t swim.
  10. I wrote a song for my new grandson and played all the instruments. You can hear it HERE.
  11. I’m terrified of going into the basement alone at night.I’m also petrified of dentists (bad childhood experience).
  12. I often feel sick to my stomach when grocery shopping (too much stimuli).
  13. I’ve been married for over 40 years. To Jerry. Yes, Terry and Jerry. Ha ha ha.
  14. One of the hardest ADHD related things for me is pulling together a meal every night. So I don’t.
  15. I’m also an artist and had a painting shown in a prestigious show at a museum.
  16. I lived in NYC for over a year back in the 1980s.
  17. While living there, a monkey slapped my dog in the face on Lexington and 86th Street. This is a true story.
  18. I received a signed Christmas card from Yoko Ono.
  19. I beat up a classmate when I was 11 for making fun of my best friend.
  20. I was in love with Richard Chamberlin when he played Dr. Kildare back in the 1960s.
  21. I had the worst panic attack of my life when boarding a plane for Switzerland back in my early 20s. I actually tried to get off the plane (before it took OFF!) but was calmed down by a fellow passenger.
  22. I hate oranges but love orange juice.
  23. I cannot organize my fridge or freezer; it’s like playing Tetris. I make my husband take that one on.
  24. I have two young adult daughters who, thankfully, live nearby. Kate and Mackenzie. Sounds like a folk duo.
  25. One of my daughters has special needs + severe ADHD. That’s how I got into the field- by learning how to best help her. She had a severe reaction to a baby vaccine. Note: I am pro-vaccine.
  26. My mother was a professional dancer in her early years.
  27. I have two brothers and a stepbrother. The bio brothers are also musicians.
  28. My high school counselor wrote in my records that I was not “college material.” I have two college degrees.
  29. I hate conflict.
  30. Let’s pretend we’re reading 16 Magazine: my favorite color is fire engine red. My favorite food is Chinese food and chocolate. I stand 5’8” and I was born in Detroit.
  31. Growing up in Detroit, I lived across the street from Marvin Gaye.
  32. In 11th grade, I walked out of Geometry class after the 3rd day, because I had no idea what the teacher was talking about. I never returned and no one seemed to even know. Or care.
  33. I broke a number of ribs after flying off my bike from a sudden stop. Not when I was a child- it was 15 years ago. Believe it or not, I have Inattentive ADHD, not Hyperactive/Impulsive ADHD.
  34. I cannot stand being read to. You may as well realize that none of it sank in.
  35. I developed PTSD about six years ago after too many traumatic events hit me at once. They included losing a close family member and getting into a car accident- which triggered earlier traumatic experiences. I’ve been super interested in trauma and ADHD. Let’s talk.
  36. Thanks to the above, I learned that streaming nature sounds on one’s computer or phone can help with sleep.
  37. I was bullied as a child.

What does all this mean? It means these experiences, both good and bad, are what make me who I am today. Some were terribly tragic, but if we don’t learn to work through them (very helpful if you do so with a therapist), they will find you and make you ill, either physically, mentally, or both.

Questions:

  1. What is the scariest thing that ever happened to you?
  2. What don’t I know about you?
  3. Did you ever skip school? Did you get caught?

Share your answers/comments in the comment section below.




Where’s Terry?

Don’t miss my presentation at the ADHD Awareness Expo:
Moms with ADHD: Managing Guilty Thoughts and Feelings

Join me and other leading experts by video. All through the month of October. And guess what? There’s no cost to watch!  

Register HERE.


Sign up right now to receive your daily dose of ADDA’s TADD Talks. Don’t miss any: speakers include Sari Solden, Linda Roggli, Ari Tuckman, Alan Brown, Jeff Copper, Sharon Saline, Liz Lewis, and many more).

You can check out the schedule to see when we’ll all be speaking here.




Look What’s Happening Soon!

2021 International ADHD Conference

Online/Virtual:

November 4-6, 2021


THE ADHD event of the year- do not miss it!

I’ll be leading a Town Hall for Women:

Lunch and Learn: You Mean it’s Not Just Me? A Town Hall for Women with ADHD

Details and registration HERE.




Terry Recommends

Shop Early at Amazon! Shipments May Be Delayed!

You have ADHD. I have ADHD. That means we’re prone to procrastinating. Start your shopping now at Amazon because word has it that deliveries could be delayed.

Start here and get those gifts for your loved ones today!


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Then join me and your fellow Queens of Distraction online in a private, secret room where we Get Things Done. We “get” it and are here to help you.



EXCLUSIVE! LOOKING FOR ONE-ON-ONE HELP WITH ME?
ZOOM CONSULTATIONS!

Feeling stuck? Need to get your life back in order? I can help! 

Let’s work together to help you get back on track 
(or get started on your journey!).I provide short-term sessions offering psycho-educational information, resources, support, and mini-coaching to help you get started- whether you’re looking to find someone to evaluate you or if you’ve been struggling your whole life and are ready to get unstuck, I can help.  

I get it. Because I have ADHD, too, 
and over 25 years of experience working with adults with ADHD.

Learn more and set up an appointment here

(I have a limited number of slots available; if you don’t see a time that works for you, email me at terry@ADDconsults.com).    


*Disclosure: If you buy any products above via my affiliate links, I may get enough money to buy a few candy bars and popcorn (but not enough for a pony)!