A friend recently sent me a video created to show others what it is like to live with ADHD. I feel it is made about my son.
Many people have opinions of ADHD and other attention disorders. Whether it’s the lack of attention, bad parenting or my favorite that it doesn’t really exist. Everyone has their own thoughts on what ADHD is. Most of those people have no idea what it is like to live with ADHD.
One Swedish filmmaker created a four-minute moving silent film entitled “Bokstavsbarn” or “Falling Letters”. The film gives a glimpse into the life of a kid struggling with attention issues.
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Not intended to depict any one attention disorder in particular, Erik Rosenlund connects with those affected by ADHD. Considering 1 in 5 children are affected with ADHD, that is a lot of kids with trouble focusing, reading, remembering things, and even making friends.
ADHD means kids have to work even harder and put in more effort for tasks than someone without it. This video made me cry as I watched the boy in class not able to focus on the words of the page and making a sailboat out of a paper he should have completed, and he was so proud. This is my son. He is so proud of what he created. Even if it’s completely not what he was supposed to be, but his creativity took control.
Roselund’s film also addresses how isolated those with ADHD can feel. That too made me tear up. I imagined what it must be like for my son every day at school. As I watch the little girl starring at the boy in line for lunch in the film I am brought back to when my son was in 1st grade. He came home every day crying asking why he has to be different than everyone else. He just wanted to be normal.
Lastly, near the end when the father goes to find the boy at the bus stop because he got distracted with flowers, I questioned whether he was writing about my son. Although it wouldn’t have been a crown, most likely a house or some sort of machine my son would have tried to build. Either way the result would be the same. These kids need support from their family and a healthy environment at home. This includes supporting their creativity as a gift rather than a difficulty.
The more we understand ADHD and other learning and attention issues, the better we can understand and support those who have them.
Watch the film here:
