Simply Ben Glenn | The Simple ADHD Expert

Title: Kaneland School District
Location: Maple Park, IL
Description: 1p Assembly (Private Event)
6:30p Parent Event (Open to the public)
Date: 2009-04-06

It was great to be back at Kaneland High School yesterday! In the afternoon, I spoke to a large group of 5th and 6th graders who will all be transitioning to a new building next school year. It will be quite a change for most of them, as they leave their small, old schools behind and merge with a bunch of other middle schoolers in the district in a large, new facility. I can see how that could be both exciting and intimidating.  I love speaking to this age group – they have just the right kind of ADHD energy!

The evening presentation was phenomenal! The school had 114 people pre-register to attend, but we ended up with almost 300 people as students dragged their parents to see the presentation. Thanks guys! Appreciate you braving the nasty weather to come out and show me some love!

As always, every event is an opportunity to meet some incredible people who are making a difference in the lives of students and the community. I was really impressed with the kinds of things that Fran Eggleston, the principal at Kaneland McDole Elementary School and also the head of their Special Ed., Programming is doing with their students. One of them is something that I touch on briefly in my book, but it’s the concept of giving kids with Learning Disabilities, even younger kids, an opportunity to have a say in how they can learn better. I think it’s really important to allow some degree of control in a situation where a person may feel like they have no say whatsoever – I wish somebody had asked me what I thought back when I was diagnosed! So, go Fran!

A huge thank you to Christi, the Super Secretary, and your husband for putting together such stellar frames for me. Textbook! And also to Sara Mumm for all your help!

Thanks for having me back, Kaneland. Hope to see you all again in the not too distant future!

Peace!

Title: Chicago School for Agricultural Sciences
Location: Chicago, IL
Link out: Click here
Description: Assembly (private event)
Date: 2009-05-05

I got up at 5am this morning to drive up to do a couple of assemblies at Chicago School for Agricultural Sciences – probably one of the most unique high schools I’ve ever been to!

This is no regular school, but an actual farm! A 70 acre farm to be precise – the school’s campus is the largest farm in the Chicagoland area – how wild is that!? I got to tour the school and had the pleasure of meeting Lucy the pig, the school’s mascot. I was also completely fascinated by the tanks of “home-grown” tilapia – kinda wished I brought my fishing pole – it could have been a good fishing day for me!

The school is super competitive to get into and it really felt like the students took pride in being there. I met some awesome people today: Maggie, Mike, the dude that wants to be, not just any vet, but an International Vet and a few more whose names I just can’t remember!! I’m really, really bad with names, but  I’m great with faces. I might not remember your name, but I’ll know I’ve met you somewhere – does that count?

Lucille, our sponsor, was great to work with and I wanted to thank her for all her hard work in making these events possible.

I hope you guys have a great rest of the year and finish it out strong.

Now I’m off to do some fishing on my mom’s pond in Dixon, IL.

Over and out.

Title: Vincennes Lincoln High School
Location: Vincennes, IN
Description: Assembly (Private Event)
Date: 2009-05-04

Today was definitely one of those days when my own motto of  “keep moving forward” was put to a good test! First, our GPS lady took Larry and I to a location that WAS supposed to be Vincennes Lincoln High School, but was in fact, in the middle of nowhere. Thankfully we were not running late, so we circled around a couple of times and then decided to ask a jogger for directions. I think we scared him. lol He gave us a pretty weird look. I’m guessing that there aren’t too many high schools  in Vincennes.

When we finally found our way to the school, we encountered some unforeseen set-up difficulties that sent us running to the local Walmart. I was getting tense, wondering if we’d have to start the assembly late. (I really, really don’t like to be late!) Good thing that Walmart was not even 5 minutes down the road so I was still able to set up in time to face a VERY energetic crowd. You guys were wired! I kept thinking, “Is today Friday? The day before summer vacation? This group is AMPED!” Turns out it was none of those things; apparently you all were just really happy to be out of class for an hour. Hopefully it was an hour well spent.

I enjoyed meeting all of you and especially Blake, Jonetta, the Senior girls who were our greeters and the art teacher with all those sisters – hope they enjoy the book! A big thanks to Mr. Parsley for bringing me in – hopefully he’ll have me back in a few years.

love, peace and hair grease!

Title: Irwin Middle & High School
Location: Ocilla, GA
Description: Assemblies
Date: 2009-04-27

The day started early – I got up at 6am. Why? Well mostly because I wanted to get some fishing in. That’s right! Caught me a couple of nice ones too!

Then it was off to do the assemblies. Phew! It must have been about 100 degrees in that gym! I don’t know about you guys, but I sure worked up a sweat. Hope you guys enjoyed yourselves.

Big thanks to Stephanie Wiiliamson for giving us a big wad of cash to get lunch…we filled up on the .99c menu at Peck’s, then blew the rest of the money on The Claw at Walmart…just kidding!

Well, Larry’s off to go jog in the woods (he’s getting ready for the Indianapolis Mini-marathon this coming weekend)…hopefully the rattlesnakes don’t get him, and I’m going to go do a bit more fishing. I LOVE to fish and never get a chance to do it – too busy.

Ocilla! Thanks for having us – we had a great time…only wish you were closer to the airport in Jacksonville…:-)

Title: Dominion High School
Location: Potomac Falls, VA
Description: Assembly & Parent/Teacher Event
Date: 2009-04-20

Had an early morning today, heading out for the airport at 6am to be with all 1200 of you guys for the assembly. Nothing like a gymnasium packed with screaming kids to make my ADHD happy! I had a blast!

Then tonight we had a great turnout – 200+ students and parents, pretty good for a non-mandatory event. I’m so glad you all came out. I hope you could hear me (my voice is sort of not there right now, so hopefully a good night’s sleep will get it to come back). There were some great questions asked during the Q & A session – I’m sorry if I didn’t get to answer all of them – please post questions in the comments and I’ll do my best to either answer them directly or do a blog post about them, ok?

If there’s one thing that I need all you “special” people out there to know it is this: You are NOT alone! There are literally millions of people out there who have ADHD as well as other learning disabilities and not just kids, adults too! I believe the statistic is that only 15% of adults with ADHD ever get diagnosed. The rest of you just spend a lot of time wondering if you’re nuts. Well, you’re not! If what I shared tonight has you thinking that perhaps you may have ADHD, please do some research and educate yourself, then maybe, if you’re comfortable with it and can afford it, go get tested. The tests are not conclusive, but it might ease your mind some to know that ADHD is a possible diagnosis. Whatever the case may be, education is the key to successfully managing your symptoms and for creating a better life for yourself. Trust me, I’ve been there and being informed has made a world of difference in my life.

Anyway, enough of that. I’m exhausted and going to bed. Go Titans!! Night all!

Title: FBLA State Conference
Location: Raleigh, NC
Start Date: 2009-04-16
End Date: 2009-04-17

What a great time last night! I was so impressed with the energy and enthusiasm that you guys had! Your speeches were amazing – there are going to be some incredible leaders out of North Carolina serving this country and the world in the future! It was an honor to play even a small role in helping you all be the best you can be. A huge thank you to Thomas for being on top of every detail and to Lorraine for making it all happen. God bless you!

Now, off to the workshop, then hopping on the plane to head home to Indy to spend a couple of days with the fam before I hit the road again.

Title: FBLA State Conference
Location: Aberdeen, SD
Start Date: 2009-04-05
End Date: 2009-04-06

Landed in Aberdeen after an uneventful flight. The Minneapolis – Aberdeen leg of the flight was on one of those little prop planes…not really a fan of those. Looking forward to speaking tonight!

Update: Off the stage and back in my room taking it easy. Great time tonight, but man am I wiped out. Going to pass out shortly so I can be ready for my 8am workshop tomorrow. This is my first time in South Dakota…my first impression…it’s very flat here, not that I can talk coming from Indiana, and second is what’s with the snow??

Title: Noblesville Middle School
Location: Noblesville, IN
Link out: Click here
Description: Assembly
Date: 2009-04-02

Had an awesome time with the 1300 students today! The gym was filled to the rafters. My video crew was there too getting some footage of the show for a new promotional video that I’m really excited about. And the Noblesville Times paper came out to check the action as well (read the article!).

Big thanks to Kyle Barrentine, the Principal of Noblesville Middle School for bringing me to speak to his students and teachers. Great group!

Let me know what you guys thought!