Dr.Umar’s diagnosis of the ADHD Syndrome was so incredibly accurate, enlightening and informative. For those of you who don’t know me, I have a nephew now 9 years old, who was diagnosed with this “condition”at the age of 5. Teachers complained that He couldn’t sit still and interrupted the other students and generally was un-teachable. Three different meds were prescribed and a funny thing happened. He was not nearly as jumpy and often sat quietly the entire class; dare I say the entire day, listless and unattentive. This was Great for His Teachers and classmates, but devastating to His Mother and Myself. We discontinued the meds and almost immediately His rowdy behaviour returned. So his Mother and I came up with what we called the “Shadow Program”. Once or twice a week His Mother, GrandMother or I would show up unannounced (and out of His view) until He started acting out. I was the first to “Show Him the Light”. Three seconds into one of His episodes, I asked that We be excused to a locked Mens Room where I proceded to give Him one hard “tap”on His right butt-cheek. I told Him to go back to class and participate and listen to His Teacher. This was two years ago. To my knowledge His GrandMother had to pay Him one visit, but His Mother has yet to make Her presence known. He has been a Model Student for two consecutive years with NO meds. So with that, one has to wonder. How can we question Dr. Umar’s motives? Whether he could have a hidden agenda after he so eloquently dissects the issues plaguing our children. In my view He has no motive other than to see Our children progress. Money, fame, recognition all matter little to Him. His desire and emotion have pressed Him to keep getting this message out to ALL. The Black Family is so fractured, in so many ways, that Mom, Dad, GrandParents, Siblings and other Care-Givers would have to be trained how to help their so called problem Child navigate this course. Therefore it is my opinion that Dr. Umar’s intention is to throw these “marked children” a lifeline. Show them and their Families that all is not lost, and that “meds” are just another obstacle to learning. Ideally, HomeSchooling is the best possible option but greater awareness of the ADHD issue can only be a positive.
