Learning through crisis
Learning through crisis
Before I set off for France at the age of 16, volunteers from the organisation that had arranged the experience used the term "learning through crisis" to help us to put culture shock in perspective. Never has that phrase been more relevant to me than in trying to access support following my ADHD diagnosis.
Lessons
The presence or absence of a relatively inexpensive adjustment can have huge knock-on consequences in every area of life. When I look back I am incredulous at how quickly my life spiralled out of control.
Sometimes no support is better than the wrong support. It takes courage to admit that you can't help someone, that the budgets or services aren't there, but it is much kinder than the gaslighting alternative.
Connection and humanity are everything. Those who helped me the most - a Council Clerk and a Patient Charity - worked in sectors that were completely unrelated to my request. They just listened and cared.
Language and knowledge are over-rated. I know about the Equality Act, I know how to use words to argue my case. This made very little difference. There are lots of way to make your case, only some of them involve writing things down.
