I grew up in a small family in Cleveland Heights, Ohio. Hated being cold in the winter, too hot in the summer and always dreamed of one day moving some where far more beautiful than Cleveland. Then one winter in the late ‘70s when I was visiting my brother in San Diego, I realized I had a choice, and promised myself then and there that one day I would get out of Cleveland and head west . . . some where I could go to the beach even in December and January, and where the summers weren’t so hot that you had to hide from the sun.

Fast forward to 1985
My husband and I moved to La Selva Beach, CA and I found what felt like paradise to me. I felt like I had come home. This is where I belonged. This was my little corner of the world!La Selva Beach is a tiny little beach community with one very small corner grocery store, a recreation center, playground for the neighborhood kids, a library, and a fire station. It’s located about 15 miles from Santa Cruz, 90 miles south of San Francisco and about 45 miles north of Monterey and Carmel. I can look out my kitchen window and see the ocean that lies within walking distance. A grove of Eucalyptus trees sits across the street and avocados hang from one neighbor’s tree into our side yard, while lemons from a lemon tree sit waiting to be picked in our back yard.

For those of you who haven’t heard of Santa Cruz, it’s small, and funky and a local book store sells t-shirts that say “Keep Santa Cruz Weird.” That pretty much sums it up. Tourists flock to our little town to enjoy the boardwalk or take a walk along the wharf where you can see and hear the sea lions barking. It’s a place where people really do “do their own thing,” and everyone is more tolerant than you can imagine. It’s a Birkenstock-wearing town, and for the most part people are pretty laid back and surfing is more than a sport, but a religion. So it is here where my husband and I raised three daughters, now 19, 22 and 25. 

Living with ADHD
My oldest daughter was diagnosed with ADHD when she was five and I have been reading and learning about ADHD and how to help her succeed ever since. Aryn is an amazing artist, writer, singer and one of the most creative people I know. She’s not lazy, crazy or stupid. She just has ADHD and like most people, especially those with ADHD, she is at her best when following her strengths and passions and not dwelling on the weaknesses.

There have been many challenges along the way, but she can do anything she sets her mind to. ADHD doesn't have to limit your reality. Once you learn how your brain works and how to connect to the fire within, you too can be the person that you have always wanted to be.