Malton man planning countrywide tour for ADHD Awareness Month
Ryan Swain, who has ADHD, is doing motivational talks aimed at young people.
A Malton man who has been campaigning to regenerate Malton and Norton's skatepark is planning a countrywide motivational tour to raise awareness of ADHD.
Ryan Swain, who has ADHD, is speaking to mark ADHD Awareness Month.
The tour, called 'ADHD & Me', is mainly aimed at young people. Ryan is sharing his personal story, as well as encouraging others to share theirs: "The show is ready and I'm appealing to schools, universities, arts centres and youth clubs both locally and nationally.
"It is voluntary and all done in a campaign to raise awareness and shine a positive light on the condition, using real life hacks and coping mechanisms I've created - and also experiences I've been through.
"I want to try and help people who have no inhibition; I want them to see the best in themselves by achieving their goals and overcoming their fears.
"From a young age I've always been misunderstood and life hasn't always been easy or fair. From the moment I was born I was blessed and cursed with a condition called ADHD.
"Ever since I was born my parents have always said that I'm a livewire, and as I got older certain traits of my behaviour were flagged by my parents but shot down by the education system; mental health wasn't talked about like it is today.
"My parents have been so supportive. At the age of four my parents nearly lost me. I was very poorly with a heart defect which lead me to have major heart surgery; it saved my life.
"I've always woken up every single day being grateful for life, because someone somewhere else is fighting to keep theirs. When I was eleven I was introduced to skateboarding, which taught me a lot about equality, diversity and respect.
"I got kicked out of school at fifteen due to bad behaviour, and was told I would never achieve anything in life - I was just misunderstood. I didn't want to be an imitation; being unique is everything that makes you you, and defines you from everybody else.
"I enrolled at Scarborough Tech when I left school, worked hard and managed to get grade Cs and above in just a few months.
"Life will always give you problems and hurdles to overcome, but these days I know I have value and purpose in my life.
"I've raised hundreds of thousands of pounds for charities close to myself, and I want to spend my life helping others. I want to help others to see the good in themselves".