Hobbies and interests
Dance
Reading
Adult Fiction
Fantasy
Novels
Realistic Fiction
Romance
Young Adult
I read books multiple times per week
kimmie workman
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Finalistkimmie workman
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FinalistBio
My name is Kimmie and I was diagnosed with ADHD in fourth grade. Since then, I have loved finding out new information on my own disorders and others as well. I am going to study psychology in the fall of 2023 to help others understand themselves and learn to live with, and accept, the way they were born.
Education
Grafton High School
High SchoolMiscellaneous
Desired degree level:
Master's degree program
Majors of interest:
- Psychology, General
Career
Dream career field:
Mental Health Care
Dream career goals:
Server
Tygart Lake State Park2022 – Present2 years
Sports
Dancing
Club2008 – Present16 years
Awards
- 1st place overall at The Dance Challenge and Judges Choice at the same competition
Arts
Studio C
DanceRecitals each year2008 – Present
Public services
Volunteering
Building Hope — group leader2023 – 2023
Future Interests
Advocacy
Volunteering
Mattie's Way Memorial Scholarship
In fourth grade, I was diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). I did not understand how I was different to my classmates, because in my eyes I was normal. I thought every kid would sit and stare at a wall for hours whilst creating elaborate stories in their mind featuring their most recent fixation. That was not normal, neither was trying to study while “feeling tired,” that was not feeling tired, that was something I like to call brain fog. My head feels like it is full of this heavy fog making me completely incapable of concentrating on anything. I did not know what having ADHD meant, I was just told I have a difficult time paying attention in class. Then once I got to middle school, I did a little research on my own. I have learned since then that my ADHD influences almost every aspect of my life. At first, I would watch educational videos on YouTube about ADHD specifically, then I would learn about even more interesting disorders. One of those being another I was diagnosed with at only a year old.
I notice the effects of my anxiety more than I do from ADHD. I have learned to deal with anxiety and overcome it. I have also learned when to let myself feel what I need to feel and let the panic attack take its course. Medication has helped me a lot with ignoring my panic attacks. I was diagnosed with Generalized Anxiety Disorder, but I notice that I have specific things that will send me into an anxiety attack. Things such as bugs, fires, and crowds to keep it short. I understand what it is like feeling submissive to a disorder.
I want to study psychology to not only understand myself, but to help other people understand and live with their disorder, not against it. I want to understand why my brain is wired differently to a neurotypical brain. I want to know how ADHD makes me unable to get out of bed and do something while also making me feel unproductive and lazy at the same time. Why does my anxiety make me hyperventilate and shake when I am in a crowded mall?
I knew that I always wanted to work in the mental health field. Since eighth grade when I watched my close friend and her battle with depression, I knew that I wanted to help people. I would like to either become a psychiatrist or a therapist that specializes in mental disorders and overcoming them. I am an advocate for mental health, and I wish that more people were given the opportunity to learn and cope with their disorder.