How Did I Get This Far? ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia—and Still Winning

 

“How are you still going?”
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve asked myself that question.

Living with ADHD and dyslexia while raising two kids—one with autism—is not what you'd call a walk in the park. But here I am: 19 years married (as of June 15th!), with two incredible sons, a career in IT, and a head full of stories I’m finally ready to share.

It hasn’t always been easy. In fact, it’s rarely been easy.

Growing up, I was labelled everything from stupid to lazy. I couldn’t sit still. I couldn’t concentrate. I struggled with reading and writing. School made me feel like a failure before I ever had a chance to succeed. I wasn’t allowed to take my GCSEs—too “disruptive,” they said. So, I played the class clown. If I couldn’t be smart, maybe I could at least be funny.

But deep down, I wasn’t laughing.

Turning Point:

It wasn’t until I got into the working world that something clicked. I discovered IT, and for the first time, I felt capable—needed. I had a purpose. And that changed everything.

Since then, I’ve worked in major companies, travelled across Asia, coached football in Singapore, taken my kids to the zoo, Disney, and countless other places. My boys probably won’t remember half of it (they were little), but I will. Every second.

Today, I work at a smaller company that gives me the work-life balance I never thought I’d have. And I’m using that time to be more present—not just physically, but mentally and emotionally.

Parenting with ADHD & Dyslexia:

Even now, ADHD is a daily battle. I no longer take medication and try to manage it with routines like the Pomodoro technique (though let’s be real, I still get distracted). I still fidget. I still lose track of time. I still get a bit too “intense” when someone crosses a boundary at work. But I’m learning.

Dyslexia also adds its own layer of challenge, especially when I write posts like this. I often second-guess myself, worried people will judge my spelling or grammar. But then I remind myself: I’m writing anyway. I’m sharing my story. That’s the win.

Raising Two Boys:

My eldest turns 18 in August. Eighteen! I still can’t wrap my head around it. And my youngest is doing his GCSEs—something I never had the chance to do. I want him to do well, of course. Every parent does. But I also don’t want to put too much pressure on him. I know how crushing that can be when school doesn’t feel like it fits.

I didn’t get any GCSEs, but later in life, I got a degree. So I’m proof that life isn’t over if school doesn’t go your way.

Final Thought:

This blog isn’t perfect. I’m not perfect. But I’ve come a long way from the kid who was told he’d never amount to anything. And if you’re reading this and feeling like you're failing—trust me, you’re not alone.

I may not write “for toffee,” but I write with heart. And maybe that’s enough.

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