We live at the top of a mountain in Asheville, NC. Our drive from the bottom of the mountain to our home is a full mile. About a quarter of that is a private road we share with my parents. We have what would be considered by most a long driveway as well. It goes uphill from our garage and then makes a sharp turn at the crest to join the road. Papaw came walking up our driveway from his house to join Luke and Emma in their snowball fight. He kept his position at the crest of the driveway. Luke and Emma were down by the garage when Papaw approached. I planted myself in between with my camera. Papaw was successful at launching his snowballs down the driveway and reaching the kids. Emma was content with a few reaching the target without much movement so they kept their posts for he most part.
However, Luke was going to employ every strategy to win this fight. He would crouch down by the garage with his back to his attackers to make his snowball. Then he would run up the driveway towards Papaw, snowball raised, yelling and laughing, until he reached point-blank range. Then he'd fire and hit his target about 50% of the time. As soon as the snowball was launched, he turned and ran back down the driveway. He didn't even wait to see if he hit his target. Fire and run! He even had his own dance to dodge incoming snowballs if he took the time to watch them attack. It was such fun!
While ADHD is a disability, it does not debilitate. Individuals with ADHD have talents and gifts. Luke approaches many things in his play strategically. He is also great at math. Both of these are traits he certainly didn't inherit from me. He does not struggle with everything in his life or in school. I am so grateful for this gift. When he is old enough to begin to compensate for his ADHD and possibly live without medication, employing a strategy for the struggles in his life will be a blessing.
Penny Williams is the creator and editor of {a mom's view of ADHD}. She is also a freelance writer, real estate broker, wife, and mother of two living in Asheville, N.C. She has published several pieces in ADDitude Magazine, the #1 national publication dedicated to ADHD, and has also been quoted in Parenting.com's Family Health Guide on ADHD and The High Desert Pulse article, When Ritalin Works. When not writing, she can usually be found behind a camera.