Hello, I’m Emily, and I was born with the “how hard could it be” gene. Some days sparkle with color and excitement, while others plunge into darkness, paralyzing even the simplest tasks. You see, I have ADHD, and this is my journey—a celebration of its quirky and wonderful ways.
At 15, I received my ADHD diagnosis. Before that, I struggled silently, assuming my experiences were normal teenage woes. But focus eluded me, routine disruptions overwhelmed me, and my racing mind left me feeling like I’d never catch up. It was misery.
The diagnosis changed everything. Medication helped me focus, regulate emotions, and navigate school. Yet, ADHD carried a stigma—I feared being labeled the “loud, annoying” person with boundless energy. So, after school, I ditched medication, believing I could manage alone. But as years passed and I became a parent, my symptoms worsened. Dark days blurred into paralysis, and my cries for help went unheard. I resisted returning to medication, fearing dependence. But I was losing myself—the vibrant spark that mattered.
I sought help.
The first day I went back on medication my mind felt calm for the first time in years. I was able to focus on one thought at a time and I remember feeling peaceful, like everything was going to be okay. I will admit I did come home with this newfound joy of being able to focus and deep cleaned the whole house but I couldn’t believe that I was able to stay focused on one task at one time.
Over time I gradually rebuilt my life and found myself along the way.
ADHD taught me that seeing the world differently is okay. Needing extra help is okay. Good days and bad days (sometimes mere hours) are okay.
I yearned for open conversations about ADHD, for normalization. So, I celebrate my colorful, energetic ways. Music and dance lift me; trying on eight outfits combats paralyzing days. But my ultimate discovery? Long-distance trail running. Amidst the trails, I find freedom and calm—a reset where ADHD fades.
And then, the dream: “21 for 21.”
Running 21 km every day for 21 days.
Why? Not just because it sounds catchy. I’m doing it for young Emily—the one who needed help. Many with ADHD receive medication, but awareness matters too.
So, here’s to 21 for 21—a fusion of running and ADHD, raising awareness, and celebrating life’s quirks.
From Angus and Belinda Campbell