ADHD & Luna, The Feral Chihuahua

Hi, my name is Laura and on the 31st August I will be setting off from Brighton, UK, walking to Scotland to visit a pygmy goat, to raise awareness for undiagnosed and late diagnosis adult ADHD, especially in women who arent diagnosed until much later in life. And, for women's safety.

This walk will be approximately 520 miles and will take about 6 weeks. I am disabled and need surgery on both feet. I have tendonitis, osteoarthritis, metatarsalgia, plantar fasciitis and several other conditions in my feet.

This year, just before my 50th birthday, I was diagnosed with High Functioning ADHD combined type. A psychotherapist diagnosed me at my GP surgery using the DIVA form and I don't even know if it's an official diagnosis. She said I have AuDHD but a referral for Autism testing doesnt seem to have happened because I refuse to do Zoom calls. I've also been given a diagnosis of EUPD. I have since learned that women mask symptoms and even though many have always known they were different, professionals missed all signs that point to ADHD. My generation were taught to feel ashamed for being different.

I'll be walking with Luna, my feral chihuahua. I can only carry a small kit due to not being able to bear weight on my feet, so Luna and I will need help with food, equipment, and items for our daily survival. We'd also like to be able to sleep safely for some of our journey too, on campsites, where I'll be able to wash myself.

Someone somewhere told people that ADHD is a mental illness, a "lacking" of something fundamental. It's a lie. ADHD means you have a shorter frontal lobe and that the way you think is different, and the way you feel is deeper. You are different for a reason. You are "more" for a reason. The same as me. We shouldn't have to change to please other people. I want to walk my ADHD up the UK to show what a beautiful thing the mind really is.