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The book is about a little girl who sees many opportunities that interest her and people basically tell her that she will never be able to do those things "until donkeys fly"! Of course the message is inspiring as the little girl sees a donkey fly at the end of the book. The book represents the attitude and belief that anyone can do anything they put their mind to. Chelsea has chosen that book because she has struggled with ADHD all of her life and was not assisted in her public schooling. In fact, her guidance counselor told her she would not get help taking the SAT's and would have difficulty getting into college.
Chelsea overcame her struggles with the help of a good ADHD doctor, medication, therapy, a healthy lifestyle and assistance from her school, Gardner-Webb University. Chelsea believes that the right combination of exercise, a low sugar diet, plenty of sleep and the right medication is important to success. It is also important to have a team of support that will help with academic issues and motivation. Chelsea will tell you she could not have succeeded without her parents pushing for the right help.
Medication is tricky and Chelsea has taken medication off and on during her growing up years. She did not like the way some of the medication made her feel so she refused to take it. Now, after many new drugs have been introduced she is on one that seems to help without awful side affects.
Chelsea is helping others with ADHD because she believes that God gave her the title of Miss South Carolina International to do just that. "It has opened so many doors for me to speak to others and affect their lives in a positive way. I never thought I would be a senior in college with a grade point average over 3.2 and doing well. I want others to know what to do and how to get help even if their parents won't listen or their school doesn't consider their disorder to be bad enough for accommodations,"
Chelsea is also working with Cleveland County Communities in Schools, an organization that gives those children who are likely to drop out of school support so that they can graduate. "Education is so important and a lot of ADHD kids believe they are not smart. That just isn't so. We just learn differently and need accommodations to help us be successful, " Chelsea states. Chelsea also volunteers as a mentor for the Gardner-Webb University Noel program that helps students with special needs.
Chelsea, a national affiliate of CHADD, the organization that supports Attention Deficit Disorder, will be speaking at the national conference in November.
You can find out more about what Chelsea is doing by going to her website, Miss South Carolina International and checking out her Re-Focus: ADHD Awareness information. Go to www.misssouthcarolinainternational.com
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Mentors-Matter is a non profit founded by Chelsea Rae Gregory, Miss SC International. The program offers workshops, support groups and a website resource that helps students with learning disabilities get into college and be successful in life.
Photo:
http://www.prlog.org/
