Wednesday, 12 September 2007

Ritalin essay
Mood:  energetic
Now Playing: Cruxshadows 'Birthday'
Topic: Health

As you know I'm a pharmacy tech, also a mother and a grandmother.  I have long been against shoveling kids full of meds for every little hangnail, especially potentially dangerous meds.  This is an essay I wrote a few years ago.  Give it some thought: 

Ritalin – What if?

You are seven years old.  You’re sitting in a classroom listening to little Maggie read, very slowly through a text that doesn’t interest you in the least.  You are not a particularly fast reader but you’re distracted.  There’s music running through your mind and all you care about is getting to a piano to play it and then writing it down for others to play.  You stare out the window and tap your foot to the beat. 

Your teacher is closely watching you, because she’s called and arranged a conference with your parents to discuss your behavior in class. 

Later in the day as you sit in the back of the classroom with some crayons, drawing notes, trying to get the song down in its entirety, the teacher explains gently to your parents that you rarely sit still during reading times, you fidget, you stare out the window and your attention wanders.  She recommends your parents have you tested for Attention Deficit Disorder, (ADD).  She would be very upset to see you fail, you’re a bright child. 

You indeed are tested, the doctor diagnoses you with ADD, and prescribes Ritalin for you to take.  Sure enough it does the trick.  The music seems to fade away, and you return your attention to the reading test appropriate for your age, and your grades improve.  Your parents can go back to their careers without any further concern for your problem because they’re getting you the best treatment their money can buy. 

But what of the music?  Will it ever return?  Your teacher hopes not, for it’s a distraction.  Your parents hope not, because they want you to receive the best education possible so that you can get a well-paying job.  They want their little Wolfgang Mozart to make a name for himself in the world of finance or politics or medicine. 

Posted by ladyterri5 at 12:08 PM EDT

Updated: Wednesday, 12 September 2007 12:19 PM EDT

Share This Post

Post Comment | Permalink