My name is Izzy (Izz), I’m 22, a student, nanny and ski instructor and, I ‘suffer’ with dyslexia, dyspraxia, dyscalculia and ADHD – I know, it’s A LOT.
Recently I took part in a project hoping to raise awareness for ADHD by sharing my story. Since this project I have decided I want to continue to raise awareness around all SEN’s. This is for anyone who has ever felt inadequate due to a learning disability –
I have lived with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder) for my entire life, diagnosed relatively early on (6 or 7) and starting medication to help me focus around the age of 14. Due to the way ADHD has made me feel in many scenarios in my life, whether that be in the classroom or elsewhere it sadly became my biggest insecurity. It’s made me feel stupid and incapable countless times and has heartbreakingly led me to question my intelligence throughout my entire life, (I’m sure many can sadly relate to these feelings).
After leaving school I worked as a ski instructor for 5 seasons, I was done with being defined by the education system.
HOWEVER, I am now studying with the OU in the hopes of becoming a teacher. It is my hope that any child under my future care, is never made to feel inadequate, in spite of how their brain works.
Slowly I’m learning that ADHD might not be so bad, it’s shaped me to understand things I don’t believe I ever could have without it. I hope that by discussing ADHD and other SEN’s openly others will suffer less with ‘imposter syndrome’ at UNI, we have every right to study and thrive whilst doing so!