Embracing her ‘differentness’ caused by ADD
Elizabeth Andreno studies computer science at Lee College.
“My first grade teacher would be reading to the class, and I would get up and start running around in circles and doing stuff. Then she would ask me, ‘What did I just say? Were you even listening?’ I could repeat back to her what she said.
“That’s when she knew something was going on. When I was sitting still, I wasn’t paying attention. When I was this big ball of energy, my brain seemed to be in the right space.
“So she talked about it with my parents. They had played around with, ‘Is she autistic? Is she bipolar?’ But they finally determined it was ADD (attention deficit disorder).
“I’ve been on different medications, but I don’t like how they affect my body and make me feel. So right now, I’m trying to avoid those and treating it as best I can therapeutically. I do things like play with stress balls and use my art to help recenter and refocus myself when I’m feeling distracted. It’s a challenge every day.
“But instead of fighting it, I’m trying to embrace it. I think, well, my brain doesn’t work the same as others. So how can I use my differentness to my advantage and to the advantage of the people around me? How can me being different benefit me and society?”
— Elizabeth Andreno
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