Founder’s Letter: 2024 No Gree For Anybody!
Read some reflections and our plans for 2024 from our Founder, Vivienne!
The idea of ADHD has been popularised in the media of late, but at times, to our detriment. The conversation around ‘We all have a bit of ADHD’ or ‘It has become a trend now’ has had real-life implications on our daily living experience. ADHD is classified as a disability. Any disability under UK law is required to be accommodated with reasonable adjustments within the workplace. However, I have found that the trivialisation of it within the media following the increase in conversation has led to diminishing value on how serious of a condition it can be for us. It is not taken seriously enough, from the excessively long waiting times for an assessment, the lack of aftercare within NHS services and, more recently, the limited supply of medication.
All of this leaves us in a position where we are living with our symptoms in a world that either dismisses our needs or spaces that do not know how to provide necessary adjustments. Being Black within the workplace is already hard enough, let alone adding disability with no support on top.
In Nigeria, the motto for the year is 2024 - No Gree For Anybody. It is a way of stating resilience in the face of adversity and oppression. There are times when I am so tired of having to be resilient; always having to fight can be exhausting. In those moments, I believe it is okay to rest and reset where possible.
For moments where you do have the strength, I want to encourage you that you are not asking for too much when you ask to be accommodated and supported. You are not taking up too much space, infact you should even take up more!
We are disabled by the world around us due to a lack of support. We are silenced by institutions that did not have our voices in mind when they were established. You have every right to stand your ground; it is not your fault that the world does not see that. You have every right to say no and every right to ask for help because silence does not serve us.
We, as a collective, have given so much and the spaces we helped build and maintain continue to take without limits. The fact so many of us are experiencing mistreatment in the workplace is a telling sign to where the problem lies. We can’t all be making this up. It’s systemic.
Where you can, lean on community as a resource. You are not alone. This is sad, as it means there is a shared experience of facing ableism, sexism and racism within the workplace. This also means you do not have to experience this journey alone, which I hope can offer you some comfort.
We will be planning a session with an ADHD Coach where you will be able to ask questions about accommodations within the workplace, and our support groups are always open for you to vent, ask questions or simply listen and be validated.
I am sending you love wherever you are as you read this. This is a gentle reminder to be kind to yourself in a cruel world,, and I wish you well until we speak again!
Lots of Love
Vivienne x