Prison Pete
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
No sick days in prison.
I have no doubt that I suffer from A.D.D. and would certainly have ended up as a drugged student if I were a kid going through school today. Giving a kid drugs scares the hell out of me. Thanks to a bunch of the books you have sent me and other discussions on NPR (look for web site The Infinite Mind or check npr.org for a link, they have done some shows on A.D.D.) that have given me great insight into the differences between humans and the stupid ways we sometimes misinterpret the actions of others.
By the way, they say caffeine has been found as a useful "drug" with A.D.D., and I certainly feel the difference when I have access to it. I am currently drinking six to eight tea bags worth of tea a day! The caffeine in a tea bag is about the same as a can of Coke.
I have become much more aware of my shortcomings and I know that sometimes it is necessary to put something aside until later because the mind just is not going to get it done now. One good example is the touch-typing. Right now, and for most of today, I have been flying along with no problems; other times I cannot get two words out without a typo.
The other thing is that there are certain things I am very good at and come easily to me, some that I can accomplish with varying degrees of practice and patience, and some stuff that is just not in the realm of possibility. The goal should be to be able to classify the areas as early as possible and be able to let go of those areas that are just not going to work.
Also, one must be aware of those areas others might assume you are capable of handling, but in fact you are not. One only has to look around the prison to find lots of people who have plenty of usefulness if someone would take the time to find the "place" each of us unique individuals fits in.
This does not mean deadlines should not be put in place. I have lived with deadlines for the last eight years, most of which make no sense to me. I grumble at them, but I do them. The point is not all deadlines are bad, not all must be approached cheerfully, BUT, where you may have some flexibility, be sure to be willing to use it.
I have found that I can "let go" of some things, and develop alternatives to provide my own internal balance without getting in trouble. For example, I am not and will never be a morning person, but I must be out of bed and have my room straight by 7:30 AM Monday to Friday regardless of how I feel.
There are no sick-days in prison.
By the way, they say caffeine has been found as a useful "drug" with A.D.D., and I certainly feel the difference when I have access to it. I am currently drinking six to eight tea bags worth of tea a day! The caffeine in a tea bag is about the same as a can of Coke.
I have become much more aware of my shortcomings and I know that sometimes it is necessary to put something aside until later because the mind just is not going to get it done now. One good example is the touch-typing. Right now, and for most of today, I have been flying along with no problems; other times I cannot get two words out without a typo.
The other thing is that there are certain things I am very good at and come easily to me, some that I can accomplish with varying degrees of practice and patience, and some stuff that is just not in the realm of possibility. The goal should be to be able to classify the areas as early as possible and be able to let go of those areas that are just not going to work.
Also, one must be aware of those areas others might assume you are capable of handling, but in fact you are not. One only has to look around the prison to find lots of people who have plenty of usefulness if someone would take the time to find the "place" each of us unique individuals fits in.
This does not mean deadlines should not be put in place. I have lived with deadlines for the last eight years, most of which make no sense to me. I grumble at them, but I do them. The point is not all deadlines are bad, not all must be approached cheerfully, BUT, where you may have some flexibility, be sure to be willing to use it.
I have found that I can "let go" of some things, and develop alternatives to provide my own internal balance without getting in trouble. For example, I am not and will never be a morning person, but I must be out of bed and have my room straight by 7:30 AM Monday to Friday regardless of how I feel.
There are no sick-days in prison.
Comments:
I have not read all of your blog, but what I have read was interesting yet still lacking something I would like. I would like to hear more about your thoughts, not just thoughts on the daily grind, but thoughts of what goes on with you and others outside the walls of prison I guess?? Does this make sence, I guess I'm asking for a more emotional or insightful look into what prison life is like. Is it hell?? Is it just doing all these certain things at certain times that make it hell? I know this is trite, but how does it make you feel??
# posted by 
: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 2:12:00 AM
: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 2:12:00 AM
I have not read all of your blog, but what I have read was interesting yet still lacking something I would like. I would like to hear more about your thoughts, not just thoughts on the daily grind, but thoughts of what goes on with you and others outside the walls of prison I guess?? Does this make sence, I guess I'm asking for a more emotional or insightful look into what prison life is like. Is it hell?? Is it just doing all these certain things at certain times that make it hell? I know this is trite, but how does it make you feel??
# posted by : Wednesday, August 25, 2004 2:12:00 AM
: Wednesday, August 25, 2004 2:12:00 AM
<<< I doubt you suffer from "A.D.D." - that's just a made-up disorder for idiots to call smart people who bore easily from tedious crap. Children are SUPPOSED to be a little "hyper" - they're CHILDREN, for God's sake. Smart people lose attention quickly because (consciously or subconsciously) they're BORED. In the long run, "medical science" of this nature will be overthrown (with any luck). >>>
Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if it is completely wrong.
I suffer from ADHD. I'm actually one of the text book cases for Toronto's Sick Children Hospital because my case was so severe.
I'm 29 now, and I've been living with it all my life. When I was going to school I had to take 7 or 8 ritalin A DAY in order for me not to go completely berzerk.
By berzerk, I mean flipping over desks, talking constantly, beating up other students and basically a whole range of activity that would get me instantly kicked out of class, if not school. That hardly classifies as a 'little hyper'.
One of the things that I learned along the way (because Doctors were always way behind) is that caffeine would calm me down. We later discovered that it has to do with blood flow and neuron activity in the brain. So basically stimulants have the result of calming me down, depressants have the result of a stimulant.
Quick case in point -- the first time I ever had surgery, when I woke up they had to tie my hands and feet to the bed because when I woke up instead of being groggy I was completely off the wall.
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Everyone is entitled to their opinion, even if it is completely wrong.
I suffer from ADHD. I'm actually one of the text book cases for Toronto's Sick Children Hospital because my case was so severe.
I'm 29 now, and I've been living with it all my life. When I was going to school I had to take 7 or 8 ritalin A DAY in order for me not to go completely berzerk.
By berzerk, I mean flipping over desks, talking constantly, beating up other students and basically a whole range of activity that would get me instantly kicked out of class, if not school. That hardly classifies as a 'little hyper'.
One of the things that I learned along the way (because Doctors were always way behind) is that caffeine would calm me down. We later discovered that it has to do with blood flow and neuron activity in the brain. So basically stimulants have the result of calming me down, depressants have the result of a stimulant.
Quick case in point -- the first time I ever had surgery, when I woke up they had to tie my hands and feet to the bed because when I woke up instead of being groggy I was completely off the wall.
