My Supports

My son and his girlfriend Charlotte are daily technical and school support. They constantly help me with computer and technical computer support. They offer the personal support of daily encouragement on this graduate school undertaking. I cannot even begin to describe how much support I get from them. Charlotte. When I enrolled in school, they both helped me to navigate the computer. It would be hard to exist without this support as I pretty much need daily help with computer issues. For example, when the internet is down and needs to be reset. I am at a loss. They offer the personal support of daily encouragement on this graduate school undertaking. Above my desk a sign reads Above all, remember that you are doing a GREAT job. They remind me every day, when I feel overwhelmed they say, “you got this.” My son and his girlfriend live with us and I would have a negative impact on my life without their support and love on the daily basis.

I have my own room that used to be my husband’s office. It is now filled with loose leaf binders of Walden paper work both past classes and the current one. This room is actually a great support to me as it keeps me focused and out of the happenings in the house and is private. I am not sure how I would function without this room. It offers me a place to be able to work without distraction.

My husband is such a great support. He has picked up a lot of what I have a hard time accomplishing that means laundry and basic chores in our home. Aside from being an amazing sounding board, he listens and helps me work through everything. I do not know how I would function without his support.

My teaching assistant is a daily support that I could not function without. We work so well as a team. She helps me with daily planning and implementing of our classroom program. This is our second year together and I hope to continue to work together for years to come. I do not even like to think about my classroom experience without her. I have worked with many other women in the past but not a teacher like her. I wish her all of the success as I know she would like to be a lead teacher in her own class some day but it has been an amazing experience for both of us.

I feel supported at work on another level. My supervisor and director are a great support as they know my families and the children in my classroom. Their doors are always open to listen to a problem, make a suggestion or help to problem solve a situation. They always “have my back”. I do not think I could work in any other kind of environment. Knowing they are always there for me helps me on a daily basis.

I chose to imagine that my challenge was being an adult with the ADD/ADHD.

I would need daily supports in my life. I would still need a loving and caring family to help provide daily support. Everyone regardless of any challenge needs to have a loving and caring group of people in their daily life. We all have varying abilities and on some level, we all have challenges. We all could not survive without some positive relationships.

Daily supports would have to include lists and calendars to keep me organized and to help with keeping me focused on tasks at hand and upcoming tasks. The lists and notes would help me keep track of regularly scheduled tasks, projects and deadlines. Electronic calendars and Apps would help. I think without this support, I would not be able to complete what I need to complete in a timely manner. As an adult with this disorder, I would need these supports

 I may even need to be prescribed a medication to lesson my symptoms and help me to function to the best of my ability. I may not be able to be successful in my life without this support.

If I had this disorder I may struggle with erratic sleep, unhealthy eating or the effects of too little exercise.  This can lead to extra stress, bad moods and feeling out of control. The way to stop this cycle may be to take charge of my lifestyle habits and create healthy new routines. Eating well, getting enough sleep and exercising can help me stay calm, avoid mood swings and fight the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Sounds to me like challenge or no challenge this is good advice for everyone. These are lifestyle supports we could all use.