The main advice I’d like
to give parents of kids
with ADHD is, everything
is going to be alright.
Stay positive, and help
your child discover what
they’re good at.
I was already whole. Being diagnosed as
an adult was extremely helpful though.
I’ve always felt that my brain works a bit
differently than others and my diagnosis
reassured me that I wasn’t alone. It was a
great starting point for research about
management and treatment. Hopefully
sharing about my diagnosis will minimize the
stigma that is affiliated with this condition
and support others living with it. ADHD
makes me different not defective. It’s easily
managed, and frankly isn’t a big deal once you
set up systems in your life to stay organized.
You've stated that ADHD has helped you
as an actress. How so?
One of the hallmark characteristics of
ADHD is a vivid imagination, which is
perfect for acting. When I play a character, I
just let my imagination run wild.
Remember when you were a kid and you
played cops and robbers with your friends?
Your imagination gave you the ability to
believe wholeheartedly that imaginary
circumstance and live it. I still have that
vivid imagination that dissipated for most
people, as they became adults. It gives me
the ability to believe in the given imaginary
circumstance and play at it all day.
Your daughter shares your diagnosis.
Would you say the experience has brought
you closer together?
My daughter and I are very similar and
ADHD is just one of the many things that
we have in common. We are very close.
Time management is big for us. Calendars
are “a thing” at our house. We often joke
about the day’s occurrences and even though
she’s 15 now, we still find mommy and me
time. She’s whip ass smart, and gifted in
many areas. I can’t wait to see what she does
with her life.
What advice do you have for parents
with ADHD? And for parents of children
with ADHD?
First off, ain’t nothing wrong with you. The
ADHD brain falls well within the spectrum
of what’s considered normal for the human
mind. You are different not defective, in the
same way that being left-handed is
different from being right handed. We live in
a dominantly right-handed world so if you’re
left-handed, you’ve got to make adjustments
to how you do things to complete the same
task. ADHD does require management, but
once you get the hang of it, you’re good.
The main advice I’d like to give parents
of kids with ADHD is, everything is going to
be alright. Stay positive, and help your child
discover what they’re good at. When your
child finds something they’re passionate
about and they begin to thrive in that area,
run with it. The confidence your child builds
in this one area will soon spread into other
areas of his or her life. Be your child’s
advocate at school, go mamma bear if you
have to. Embrace technology, it can support
you and your child in completing task the
ADHD mind isn’t fond of. Start by getting your
child tested. You’ll get clear about how their
brain works and how to best support them.
What is love to you?
Love is…embracing everything that your
partner is, and everything they are not.
Love is… a leap of faith. Love is… grace.
Love is… life.
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Love Is___ airs on Tuesdays at 10/9c on
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