=== Center of Attention ===
Newsletter of CHADD of Northern California
Also at: http://www.chaddnorcal.org/newsletter
22 November 2004

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>> IN THIS ISSUE <<
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*Calendar of Events
*Feature Article: "The Apology" (Poem)
*Please Tell Us
*Subscription Information
*CHADD Information

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>> CALENDAR OF EVENTS <<
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This calendar only has events for the next 3 or 4 weeks listed. It
also does not list some other CHADD groups which may be closer to you
and it does not list some non-CHADD events. For a thorough calendar,
including directions, look at: http://www.chaddnorcal.org/schedule
and also http://www.chaddnorcal.org/schedule/otherevent.htm.

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Alameda - 11/23/2004, Tues. 7 - 9 pm
Adult Support Group --
Lynnwood United Methodist Church, Pleasanton - Contact: Pattie: 925-548-3997
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Marin - 11/29/2004, Mon. 12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
Parent Resource & Support Group -- Call for directions in Mill Valley.
Mill Valley Home, Mill Valley - Contact: Victoria Vogel & Holly
Seerley: 415-383-6048 or 415-924-6656
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Contra Costa - 11/30/2004, Tues. 7 - 9 pm
Danville Parent Meeting: -- Topic followed by Group Discussion
Los Cerros Middle School Library, Danville - Contact: Liz: 925-886-8735
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Contra Costa - 12/1/2004, Wed. 7 - 9 pm
Walnut Creek Adult Topical Meeting -- Topic TBA
710 South Broadway, Walnut Creek - Contact: Donna Love: 925-687-4324
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Santa Clara - 12/2/2004, Thu. 7:15 - 9:30 pm
Kitty Petty ADD/LD Institute - Discussion, Sharing Successful
Strategies with other ADDults. --
Friends Meeting House, Palo Alto - Contact: Kitty Petty ADD/LD
Institute: 650-329-9443 or visit www.kpinst.org
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Stanislaus - 12/7/2004, Tues. 7 - 8pm
Modesto Support Group -- (No children please)
Doctors Medical Center, Modesto - Contact: Bonnie: 209-523-4939
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Alameda - 12/8/2004, Wed. 7 - 8:45 pm
Tri-Valley Parent Support Meeting --
Thomas J. Hart Middle School, Pleasanton - Contact: JoAnn Matone: 925-484-2173
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San Francisco - 12/13/2004, Mon. 7 - 9 pm
Adult Success Group - Potluck holiday gathering in private home. --
Call 362-7227 and leave your email address and phone number on
Rachel's voicemail, hopefully at least 24 hours in advance. She will
email the location and directions.
First Unitarian Universalist Church, San Francisco - Contact: Rachel
Rosenfeld: 888-759-9758
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Contra Costa - 12/14/2004, Tues. 7 - 9 pm
Danville Parent Meeting: -- Topic followed by Group Discussion
Los Cerros Middle School Library, Danville - Contact: Liz: 925-886-8735
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Online - 12/15/2004, Wed. 6 - 8 pm PST
"Ask The Expert" Chat -- Andrew Adesman, M.D. will chat on AD/HD and
Co-existing Conditions
Online Chat, Internet - Contact: Chat Web Page: www.chadd.org - Support - Chat
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San Francisco - 12/15/2004, Wed. 6:00 - 7:45 pm
"Developing Minds" Video: Getting Thoughts on Paper -- Sponsored by
the SF Unified School District, Schwab Learning, the CAC, SF PTA and
SF School Volunteers.
San Francisco Public Library, San Francisco - Contact: Marilyn Dong,
Librarian: Resource Collection for Learning Differences - 415/557-4540
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Marin - 12/16/2004, Thu. 7-9 pm
Holiday Party --
Family Works Counseling Agency, San Rafael - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
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Marin - 12/21/2004, Tues. 7-9 pm
Adult Support Group, with SueZee Poinsett, Professional coach and
organizer. -- Free, drop-in peer-support group. Talk with others who
really understand. And share and develop life skills. In addition, if
you want to work on skills for sorting and purging papers, bring your
paper piles.
Marin Community Mental Health, Greenbrae - Contact: Beverlee: 415-789-9464
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>> FEATURE ARTICLE <<
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Some have wondered why there is a separate support group for the
partners of people with AD/HD. The following poem's author explains
it this way: "The group helped me in feeling there is a safe place to
talk about the long-standing marital frustrations from my husband's
untreated AD/HD, to see that many more people are in this position,
and to have others share their success stories so that I knew change
was possible."

= The Apology =

My husbands apologizes after seven years of marriage

"I'm sorry
for how hard
this has been
for you"
he said,
after seven years,
after only
three weeks
on the meds.
The time slips
through my mind,
these years of
crushed hopes,
bearing the burden,
holding up,
weary every day,
always moving forward,
trying to find
my joy
in our situation.
Not understanding,
never understanding
the sloth,
hoarding,
lack of responsibility,
never completing,
not owning up,
incessant forgetfulness,
never on time,
lack of empathy,
absentmindedness
that has led
to so much
including the beginning
of the end
on the day
when he lost
our baby
(later found)
two months and
twenty days ago.
I reach deep
into my heart
and memories
to find instances
when he excelled:
two crystal clear
events, two years
nineteen days ago
and three years
seven months
twenty days ago
he was focused,
completely engaged,
counting each and
every contraction,
touching my left
index finger and
absolutely dependable.
I tell him,
"You were the
best labor coach."
His response
is perfect.
What we once
shared so well,
a core of
our relationship,
bubbles out.
He laughs.
And I feel
a small spark
inside my being
that is,
for a change,
not anger.

I still love him.

Lisa Bennett
11/18/04

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>> PLEASE TELL US <<
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We thank members for their responses to the Newsletter. Any comments,
suggestions, or criticisms will be greatly appreciated. Please
continue to help us make this newsletter and CHADD of Northern
California more beneficial to you all.

We also invite readers to share their experiences with us and other
members. Please feel free to write to us about anything that you
would like to see published.

You can e-mail your comments to us at Lew@.... Simply
replying to this e-mail will also send your message to the editor.

Lew Mills, Editor

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>> SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION <<
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>> CHADD INFORMATION <<
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Visit our webpage at http://www.chaddnorcal.org if you wish toŠ
* See the up-to-date schedule
* Read this newsletter and the archives
* Join CHADD of Northern California or renew your membership

About the Newsletter:

The Center of Attention is CHADD of Northern California's bi-weekly
newsletter. The newsletter is designed to keep you up to date with
CHADD of Northern California's activities and updates in the field.

* CHADD Works to Improve the Lives of People with
Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder through Education, Advocacy,
and Support *

Contact:

--

Lew Mills, PhD, LMFT
Editor, "Center of Attention"
CHADD of Northern California, Chapter # 504
mailto:Lew@...
http://www.chaddnorcal.org/newsletter
Fax or Voice Message: 510-291-2950
Toll Free 888-759-9758