Hello all... my name's Dustin Halstead, and I'm new to this forum.  I 
heav to say that allready I'm glad that I joined in.  I've had Adhd since be-
fore I can rememeber but was only diagnosed with it upon entering 4th grade.  
It seems that finally that within this small scantuary that I can now 
xspress
my innermost feelings as a result from this disorder and not be condemed.  
	I guess I'll start off with the "Story of my life" in the usuall 
tradition......
	Upon birth everything was as normal... until just about a week came the
first of my experiances.  I was to recive a shot in my foot fron a nurse... 
well
it seems that the neddle that the nurse chose to use was far from sterile so 

contracted staff infection.  From there I had surgery, then "glass box" 
contain-
ment... and finally a body-harness which I wore the first month of my life.  
	My parents were strong and endured every minute... my mother tought me
within the home diligantly... and I enjoyed every minute (I knew my address 
and
how to write my name in cursive in kindergarden).  School started out well 
also
... until I reached 4th grade.  It was then that a teacher observed that I 
ad
"different" needs, and that hyperactivity was constant.  But she didn't want 
to
deal with this.... she had REAL students.  To this day I still rememeber my 
own
desk in the far corner beside the main door and window of the room.  I still 
rememeber her standing me in the corner and anoucing to the students that I 
was
the "perfect example of an illiterate child."  I remember the hatred welling 
up
within me... and the feeling that my perfect world was now unfair and 
tarnished
with lies.  
	My mother soon learned of all of this and proceeded to tell the 
princable... but still nothing changed.  It seemed that the "teacher's" 
husband
owned a large constuction busness which funded much of the schools 
ctivities.
So the princable was not going to risk loosing THAT over one lone trouble 
making
child.
	I became angry and showed it constanly.  I was soon taken to therapy 
to find out WHAT was happening.  It seemed that at first that no one knew and
that the only concusion most doctors came to was that my parents were unfit.
But after much trial and error it was found that ADHD was present.  
	Later on in school life I was jumped around... placed in different 
schools... labeled... outcasted... and so on.  Finally, upon reaching age 16, 
I
asked my mother if I could work part time and attend a priv. school.  She 
agreed and arangments were made.  The school was perfect.  It was called...
Academy for Acidemic Exellence, and I loved every min. of it.  Only students
with problems such as ADHD and Manicdepresive... etc. were allowed to attend. 
 
Well then I graduated.  Then... more problems began.
	It was as if I was free... there was no school... no comentment.  I 
honestly had no idea how to handle it.  I did however rent a trailor with my
youngest uncle and work.  Well then problems at work began and that quit...
I was found directionless once again... I could pay rent... I couldn't find a 
job.  Then I rememebered an offer from my reletives in FL to come and visit 
them
so I when and did just that.  They then said I could come and stay with 
them...
I then came back.... gathered my belongings and returned.  As usual nothing 
went well and I returned back here and am now living with my parents again...
and starting collage soon... I'm going to theripy and trying different kinds 
of
medication... yet none seem to do any good.  I still wonder what will become
of my life.
						Dustin Halstead
... I haven't lost my mind; it's backed up on tape somewhere!
--- Tom Toss 3.18g1
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