Hope during COVID-19

It's hard for me to articulate my words right now, as each day feels as overwhelming as the next. However, i'm going to try.

🌟Thank you to ....

👉all the workers in a health care position working at the hospitals, retirement homes, and other medical facilities who are doing their best to save lives and provide mental health support to those of us who need it - on any level.

👉all the grocery clerks who are working around the clock, putting products on the shelves so everyone can feed themselves and their families

👉all the educators for continuing your passion for teaching in whatever capacity that is and not giving up on your students

👉the residents of Windsor-Essex County (and beyond) for supporting each other in so many ways, big and small - I've been connected with some amazing people I never knew before

👉all the entertainers who have lost all their gigs until an undetermined amount of time, you're appreciated and valued more than you know, keep on creating, singing, dancing, juggling, making us laugh, and whatever else you have up your sleeves

👉those who are debunking and reporting fake emails/stories/videos and other messages regarding COVID-19, to protect our most vulnerable right now

👉all the local restaurants still providing customers with amazing food, take-out/delivery service and a great big smile, even though we know you're hurting too

👉those who have reached out to someone else in the community, whether that's a family member, friend, neighbour, or a total stranger and provided emotional support, financial aid, or simply offered to pick up some extra toilet paper

the list goes on and on....

Just thank you ALL for being superstars. I'm proud to know you.

Hot Docs: Four Letters Apart – Children in the Age of ADHD

It is frightening to know that according to the documentary Four Letters Apart – Children in the Age of ADHD, directed by Erlend E Mo, Ritalin, the most popular medication to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, has increased by 2,400% in 15 years. As many would probably agree, it is over-prescribed and carries a number of side effects that have warranted parents to re-think medicating their child/children and to seek out other methods of treatment.

Lindevangskolen is a special needs school in Denmark which treats kids with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. This particular documentary follows three kids at the school who suffer from a myriad of problems; Marino who has a viscous temper, Martine, a girl who is highly emotional, doesn't like being touched and regularly has tantrums; and Victor gets into fights and often states, “I’m horrid.”  Truly a sad way for any child to feel about themselves.

The film follows these kids over the course of a year as they learn to cope with their ADHD in a completely new way; by using an alternative treatment method that helps them with their emotional and sensory motor development skills.

Along with a full assessment, some of the exercises involve spinning, rocking, and balancing. The best part is that everyone, especially parents, caregivers, and teachers, is involved, and the acceptance, support, and effort to follow through with this program can really make a huge difference.

Three vital aspects that this program hopes to achieve include learning, well-being, and neurological development.

Programs like the one offered at Lindevangskolen are not always readily available for kids diagnosed with ADHD and some even question the validity in the long-term. And rightfully so. While Ritalin may work in some cases, before writing the next prescription, deal with the whole person, keeping in mind factors such as emotional, environmental, social spiritual, etc.

So do they have ADHD? Maybe, but there is more to each of their stories that raise the question whether this diagnosis is totally accurate or whether other factors have contributed to their behaviours.

You can clearly see the improvements without Ritalin or any other medication. Although there is still much debate on this specialized therapy, more research will have to be done. However, the proof, for now, is in the difference that you see in these misunderstood kids.

You can see the happiness again, the willingness to interact with other students, and the potential to be more than what a label has stigmatized them with forever.