Hi I’m Siobhan, I was diagnosed with AuDHD and Dyslexia in my early 30s.
I’ve always felt my life was one big role play game, always trying to fit in with other people’s circles, masking my true self in order to be liked by others.
I struggled through school, my reports being filled with comments like “she needs to try harder” and “daydreams a lot” but also filled with “is very creative” and “has a vivid and colourful imagination”.I ended up dropping out of school at 14 and put into a SEND school, I was taken to see a doctor for an ADHD diagnosis but was told “she’s not hyperactive enough”.
I continued to struggle through my teens and 20s, unable to stick with a job, unable to keep friends and relationships, I remember it being a very lonely, scary, stressful and emotional time.
I’d grown up extremely active with many hobbies and passions, dance, singing, swimming and gymnastics were my favourite.
But no matter how hard I pushed myself I never believed I was good enough.
I needed (and still do need) constant support and encouragement from people, any negative feedback I took personally and would replay on a loop.
It wasn’t until I was studying music at university that the teachers saw quickly how much I was struggling academically and sent me to get help where I was first diagnosed with Dyslexia.
I was also diagnosed with Hyper Mobile Ehlers Danlos Syndrome in 2024, the battle of my mind and body is constant and extremely exhausting.
Having AuDHD/Dyslexia and chronic illnesses is something I could never have expected to deal with, but it’s also made me the person I am today.
I advocate for neurodivergence, chronic illness and dynamic disabilities and hope to change the way this backwards education system works.
I have 2 beautiful boys who are also SEND, I will never let them struggle the way I did.
Joining ADHDUK is such a blessing.
I want to use my passions to be as creative as I can when fundraising and to be a voice for others.
I swim with the Durham City Aquatics Masters Team and enjoy gymnastics at AAA Sports.
Knowing how much I struggled through life feeling invisible and unimportant to everyone, I never want anyone to feel that way.
@beautifully_unbalanced_life
@beautifullyunbalanced