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Janice Lowes, Diagnosed With ADHD
As told by her mother, Beth Lowes
For Janice Lowes, a quiet, well-behaved child, learning was always stressful. "My husband and I hired a one-on-one tutor to help Janice with her studies. We also tried to help her, and all dreaded the nightly battle of completing a homework assignment. Janice would get so frustrated with her homework and the fact that she didn't 'get it,' that she would cry," said her mother Beth Lowes. "By the time Janice reached the seventh grade, a nurse at her school suggested we talk to a doctor. Janice was diagnosed with ADHD and was started on treatment," Beth explained. "I knew my daughter just needed the right help." By the tenth grade, Janice had improved from a C to a B student but homework was still challenging. In addition, she had low self-esteem and was embarrassed to take her medication at school. Her psychiatrist prescribed ADDERALL XR®, an extended-release formulation that enabled Janice to take her medication once a day at home. With continued tutoring and medication, her grades improved. "She came home from school one day and said, 'Mom, I'm smart,'" said her mother.
Ryan's Struggle with ADHD
As told by Lori Magnoni, mother of Ryan, 12,
diagnosed with ADHD at age 9
"The teachers at Ryan's school were the first to realize that he may have ADHD. They said that when in school, he would get up and walk around and then sit down in his seat. Even at home we noticed something—when Ryan was learning to read, he could not sit still for even 10 seconds to concentrate. In addition, he would try to do his homework and not remember what he learned that day to apply to his homework. Through comprehensive testing, Ryan was identified as having ADHD.
Before treatment, Ryan's condition took its toll on the family. We have two other children—girls aged four and one—and because I took the extra time to spend with Ryan to help him with his homework, I felt as though I was neglecting my daughters. Since he began taking ADDERALL XR, everything has changed. Homework is no longer a three-hour nightly commitment, his self-esteem has improved dramatically and he feels like he really 'gets it' in school. His grades have improved tremendously and with the help of a tutor, his reading is also beginning to improve. Ryan's also a member of the basketball team and a traveling golf league—he's a happy, confident, social child.
It's the little things that make the biggest difference though. We used to have to remind Ryan to take care of the basics - brushing his teeth, making his bed, eating breakfast. Now, he's a self-starter and doesn't need the constant reminders. Ryan's developed a system to help him manage the day-to-day tasks: he really likes puzzles, so he got a large piece of heavy cardboard and made a puzzle that looks like Mickey Mouse and cut it up. He and his sister painted it and on each piece he wrote the things he needs to accomplish each day. When he's completed a task, he puts that piece in the puzzle. One of the puzzle pieces is a reminder to take his medication once a day."
Peter and Tamara Andros' struggle with ADHD
As told by Tamara Andros:
"Peter has always been a bright child, but he used to get anxious when starting a new class. He couldn't concentrate and focus very well in school, especially if he was required to complete a multi-step project. He complained of "not feeling smart." His grades averaged mostly 'B's and 'C's. Peter knew he could do better. He felt he had the potential, but didn't know how to fully realize it.
In December 2004, Peter was started on ADDERALL XR®. My middle son, Peter's younger brother, had learning problems and was diagnosed with ADHD and was already taking ADDERALL XR, so I was aware of the condition.
After taking ADDERALL XR, Peter felt a noticeable difference. He started focusing better on his school work. He felt he could organize his projects better. In his words, he was "less stressed out." His demeanor changed and his confidence grew. Homework and school activities became easer to manage. And best of all, his grades improved—he started getting more 'A's.
I could relate to Peter's struggle. In some ways, I was going through the same struggle he was. I had difficulty organizing my household activities. I lacked initiative in starting new tasks and felt distracted all the time. As a busy wife and mother of three, I felt I had to take better control of my life.
After consulting with my doctors and being diagnosed with ADHD, I was put on ADDERALL XR as well. The first thing that I noticed was clarity of thought. I felt I could focus better. I was no longer procrastinating on my day-to-day activities. I was able to accomplish a lot more in a day. My routine became easier. My home, family and social life felt fuller and richer.
Both Peter and I are currently on ADHD medication, and it has enhanced both our lives. Our family's struggle with ADHD has only brought us closer."
Danielle Fisher, Diagnosed with ADHD in 6th Grade, Reaches New Heights
Close your eyes and picture the person who has become the youngest in history to conquer "The Seven Summits"—the highest mountain on each of the seven continents, and the youngest American to stand atop Mount Everest.
Did an image of a 20-year-old girl who is 5 feet 7 inches and 130 pounds come to mind? Most likely not. The fact is, Danielle Fisher does not look or seem the part of a mountain climber who has scaled the renowned Seven Summits—the awesome alliance of peaks that includes 29,035-foot Mount Everest.
Fisher's Struggle with ADHD
But the challenge of mountain climbing is not the only thing Fisher has surmounted; she has also spent her life struggling with the challenges of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). She has tackled ADHD as just another mountain; going at it with determination, strength and a good support team, including friends, family, a physician and a counselor.
When Fisher was diagnosed with ADHD in the sixth grade, her doctor explained that ADHD is very common and that approximately 4.4 million children ages 4 through 17 have the disorder. Fisher's doctor prescribed ADDERALL XR, a once-daily medication, to combat the symptoms of ADHD.
Fisher says of her diagnosis and treatment, "I had to find a balance between knowing that I needed help, and making an effort to push through it myself. I realize that medication helps me. It certainly makes it easier to focus, but I also have to make the personal effort to make my dreams possible."
Managing her symptoms of ADHD was essential to Fisher being able to undertake the record-setting climbs. To prepare for each climb, Fisher not only had to stick to a strict fitness and diet regimen, but she also had to raise money to fund each climbing expedition which could cost several thousand dollars between the travel, equipment and guides. For Fisher, managing her ADHD symptoms was the key to getting her body, mind and bank account in shape and reaching the summits of the highest peaks in the world.
Reaching New Heights
Fisher grew up around the majestic Cascade Mountains in Bow, Washington and started climbing them with her dad the summer after her sophomore year of high school. It was when Fisher first climbed Mount Rainier at age 15 that she fell in love with the sport and grew excited at the thought of climbing other mountains and achieving record-setting goals.
In January 2003, Fisher conquered the first of the Seven Summits with a 22,848-foot climb to the peak of Aconcagua in Argentina. In July of that year she did two more climbs: 19,339-foot Kilimanjaro in Tanzania, and 18,481-foot Mt. Elbrus in Russia.
Fisher's next challenge was 7,320-foot Mount Kosciuszko in Australia, which she climbed in January 2004, followed in May of that year by the 20,320-foot tall Mount McKinley in Alaska. She then headed half way around the world to Antarctica and, in January 2005, she reached the top of the 16,067-foot Ellsworth Range. Finally, in June 2005, Fisher reached the 29,035-foot peak of the highest mountain in the world, Mount Everest in Nepal, Asia.
Upon Fisher's return home from Mount Everest, she received a flood of media attention from around the world; everyone wanted to catch a glimpse of the young girl who triumphed over ADHD and climbed the Seven Summits of the world.
Climbing to the Future
Fisher is currently pursuing a degree in Material Science Engineering at Washington State University. Fisher's summer plans include climbing Pakistan's Gasherbrum II, the 11th highest peak in the world at 26,360 feet where she hopes to be the youngest person to reach the summit. If you would like to follow Fisher's journey log on to www.daniellefisher.com.
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