They Said It Couldn't Be Done

Mary-Julia was first diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder when she was in the fourth grade. The summer prior to the eighth grade, her doctors told her she had grown out of this condition--"cured" of the disorder that she had spent years taking medication and altering her life to allow herself to adapt to the world around her.

Mary-Julia continued to struggle in school but it wasn't until she almost flunked out of college that it was discovered that she was still dealing with Attention Deficit Disorder.

From the moment the words, "You still have ADD" were uttered, doctors, teachers, and friends said the hurdles, such as college, career, relationships, and substance abuse, would all be too difficult to overcome. With disbelief in these theories, this determined young woman proved that not only can it be done but Attention Deficit Disorder can be an ADDed Dimension to an individual's life.

Ms. Stephens has spent the past two years traveling the nation sharing her experiences with ADD to many support groups, hospitals, church groups, youth agency volunteers, teacher assemblies, civic groups, and special education children. Her experiences with Attention Deficit Disorder will be featured in the video "They Said It Couldn't Be Done!" set to be released in 1997.

Mary-Julia holds a Bachelor of Science in recreation from Jacksonville State University and is currently employed with Louisiana State University. She currently resides in Baton Rouge with dogs, Beethoven and Copper.

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