Welcome
You are amazing! You are brilliant beyond compare, creative, enthusiastic, energetic, an out-of-the-box thinker and spectacular problem solver – but you already know that don’t you 🙂
What one thing do you need to hear today? Someone who sees beyond the label or before the diagnosis? Yeah, I get that. Maybe you’re here because need a map through the minefield of frustration trying to understand your significant person with ADHD. I wish someone had been there for me with Lived Experience, instead of just Learned/Theoretical Knowledge.
My Top Five Truths about ADHD
ADHD isn’t a “deficit”
nor a box to squash someone into. It is a difference in emotion or attention regulation, not a mood or a disorder.
ADHD is brilliance
misunderstood/misplaced. It is out-of-the-box thinking, creativity, enthusiasm, energy, loads of focused attention which is motivated by interest not need – nothing to be afraid of here.
People with ADHD
usually have more than one thing going on and have challenges in “Executive Function”, so we need more structure, not less.
Medication
doesn’t fix us – it can help, but it isn’t the only answer for supported living, any more than Insulin is the only answer in supporting those with diabetes – exercise and diet help a lot too.
As does understanding, education and lots of conversations. We got this!!
Diagnosis
is a starting point, providing understanding so you can begin to dip into the incredible wonder of ADHD. (It’s true! There is a vast canvas waiting for you to create YOUR Masterpiece upon.)
Who, What and Why?
Introduction:
I’m Sarah McCall, a wonderful neurodiverse woman, who, when a child, longed to be accepted, to have meaningful, mutually beneficial friendships and just enjoy life like everyone else.
Problem was, the Message I heard loud and clear was that I was too much; too weird, too emotional, too forgetful, unreasonable, wouldn’t sit still, always daydreaming, asked too many questions – but why was I all these things? I didn’t get it.
According to those I listened to, I was dis-organised (but if I put stuff away, I forgot it was there!) and lazy (but I worked hard, how could I be lazy?); I never felt good enough, was hopeless with money (I figured out some awesome hacks), had trouble managing being a busy mum with kids and as for laundry – yeah, about that…
Was there something I was missing? Was there a manual I hadn’t read? Why couldn’t I figure out everyday life like everyone else? It was so darn hard!!!
Cecil: A Shear Odyssey of Acceptance and Courage
I’m passionate about NZ wool, education and a good yarn, so, in 2021, I self-published “Cecil Gets A Haircut” under the pseudonym Granny Mac NZ.
Cecil’s Character now helps me explain ADHD, Anxiety & Mental Health, in everyday language. No, I’m not trying to pull the wool over your eyes, baa-lieve it! Via Cecil’s story, we dive into the world of NeuroDiversity and Mental Health through his shear odyssey – a haircut of all things! How cool is that?!
Shameless plug – you can buy yourself a copy with this NZ link or this International one.
Through fun communication, awesome workshops, collaborative activities and fabulous stories we’ll explore how to
- Unravel the tangled thicket of fears without losing your way or your mind
- Discover how differences and diversity add to life
- Journey the back-road to resilience and turn obstacles into milestones
- Unlock innovation, empathy and resilience
This blatant call to action, is for you to connect, collaborate and commit to build meaningful relationships – regardless of your environment – and provides a non-threatening space for us to work side-by-side and check out each other’s style to see if we mesh for the longer haul. I’m excited to show you how your voice can unravel stigma and release the power of neurodiversity, unlocking innovation, empathy & resilience. I dare you to sign up and find out how.
Are you sure? What if you were in a workplace where everyone was empowered to bring their unique strengths to the farm? Imagine the benefits: increased productivity and innovation, reduced stress and conflict, enhanced employee engagement and retention with increased profits. Who wouldn’t like those results?
These same Tools, Tips, and Techniques work at home or school, with your friends or professionally. So what have you got to lose?
But isn’t that just more work? Ah! I don’t have time!! Really??
Read on MacDuff…
#CecilsYarns
What does this mean for you?
I’m sure this all sounds too good to be true, I get it. I’ve chased many “rabbits” only to find myself stuck down some unimaginable hole, howling with frustration at yet another costly brick-wall/neurotypical promise, not having received anything particularly neurodivergently useful.
Family
Become Cecil’s Shepherd: Understand his unique emotional landscape and sensory sensitivities, creating practical strategies to nurture Cecil’s well-being and support his journey towards self-acceptance and self-management.
Teachers
Navigate with empathy while understanding the struggles hidden beneath the frustration masked in “unruly behaviour”. Let’s be curious in communication – eg I’m curious about what’s happening; Encourage self-direction – what’s your plan to make it work; Create an inclusive classroom – how can we do this; Which empowers every lamb to thrive.
YOU
Find your place in the flock. Discover that differences are Superpowers, not deficits. Get curious about what’s working for you, enhance those things and integrate new structures that help you navigate your Landscape.
Work
Imagine a workplace where everyone is empowered to bring their unique strengths to the table. It’s not a utopian dream; it’s a reality within reach with the right approach. Imagine the benefits: increased productivity and innovation, reduced stress and conflict, enhanced employee engagement and retention with increased profits.
Perhaps I don’t know your exact situation and though everyone is different, you’re not that special – sorry (not sorry!). I am confident it will be OK, because I’ve walked this path many times before, successfully, with people just like you.
You need support that works; tangible tools you can use today; structures that build on what’s already working and directions to create your unique solutions.
Together we’ll disentangle confusion and overwhelm and you will
- Craft a life that works for you
- Courageously Communicate with almost anyone
- Celebrate the Joy and Freedom that comes with acceptance of diagnosis