Poem: 'Why Must We Keep Telling These Stories?' by Ace

What story do we keep telling?

ADHD isn’t real,

We hear this over and over almost as if it’s a story,

Your told this story from a young age.

You begin to see this story getting engraved in your mind,

You see yourself telling yourself your making it all up,

Thinking to yourself “I just need to try harder”.

Causing scars as you try to repress all these things you cant control,

Only to not be able to.

Why must we keep telling this story?

What story do we keep telling?

People with ADHD just need to try harder,

We hear this story over and over and begin to believe its true.

We destory ourselves to try to uphold the expectations of this world,

But no matter how hard we work,

No matter how much we destroy ourselves to try to do this,

To please those around us.

It leads nowhere.

Why must we keep telling this story?

What story do we keep telling?

They say your a bad parent,

We are told this story by everyone around us.

As a parent all you want is whats best for your kid,

This story hurts you more than anything.

You begin to act more strict,

Nothing changes for the better,

All this does is tear your farther away from your child.

Causing damage for everyone around,

Damage that will take years to undo.

Why must we keep telling this story?

What story do we keep telling?

Only boys can have ADHD,

Any girl who believes she has it is told this story.

She feels invalidated,

Fake,

Like she doesnt belong.

Resulting in damage that cannot be undone.

Why must we keep telling this story?

What story do we keep telling?

Medication is bad,

They hear this story so much,

They start to fear what it may do.

Their told no one needs them,

Their told they arent safe.

They struggle more than they need,

All cuz of this fear caused by a false story.

Why must we keep telling this story?

What story do we keep telling?

ADHD looks the same in everyone,

They struggle due to this,

They reach out for support.

Their ignored,

Rejected,

Discarded,

All because it doesnt look the same as it does in someone else,

As if they are the joker among the deck of cards.

Why must we keep telling this story?

What story do we keep telling?

People with ADHD can never focus,

You sit in most situations,

Getting distracted by everything around,

You sit there but never know whats going on.

But there are the few things you will focus on for days.

You go to someone for support,

They tell you your making it all up,

All because you can focus on those few things.

You go years without support,

All due to this story.

Why must we keep telling this story?

What story do we keep telling?

All kids with ADHD are hyperactive,

You sit there,

Unable to focus,

You sit there,

Never knowing whats going on.

You fail your classes,

All cuz you cant focus,

You go to someone,

But your told its impossible,

All because your not hyperactive.

Why must we keep telling this story?

What story do we keep telling?

ADHD can be outgrown,

We know we have this,

We know its there.

But were always told the same story,

You will grow out of it,

This wont last forever.

But as you grow older,

It doesnt get easier,

It doesnt go away,

You feel as if your broken.

Why must we keep telling this story?

All these stories,

All the pain,

Why must we keep telling these stories that cause damage,

That will never go away.