Learning to live with ADHD has opened a whole new world for Lucy Gallagher, who has discovered new strengths in herself and is now helping to empower other women.

Speaking at Gunnedah Evening VIEW Club’s dinner meeting last week, Lucy described how she found her way through the minefield of diagnosis and learning skills on how to handle situations as they rose in her life.

“For me, being a strong woman means being true to our values, no matter the challenges we face,” she said.

“It means living with integrity and doing the right thing, even when it is difficult, even when no-one is watching. Integrity is the foundation of true strength. It is the moral compass that guides us through life’s toughest moments.

“It is easy to do the right thing while everything is going well but it’s in the face of adversity that our true character is revealed,” Lucy said.

“As women, especially in rural communities, we know adversity all too well, whether it’s facing the challenges of managing a farm, raising a family or being on a committee, or quite often all of those things, we encounter obstacles that test our resolves and values.”

Lucy believes that courage and integrity go hand in hand.

“Courage is not the absence of fear,” she said.

“But the determination to do what is right, even when fear threatens to overwhelm us.

“Being a strong woman means having the courage to stand up for what we believe in, to speak out against injustice and to make tough decisions that reflect our values.

“In rural communities where resources can be scarce and support systems limited, courage is often what is required in our everyday lives. It takes courage to lead, to innovate and to challenge the status quo. It takes courage to say ‘no’ when it would be easier to say, ‘yes’ and to stand firm on our convictions when others might doubt.”

Lucy also emphasised the need to think about the legacy being left for the next generation.

“What values are we instilling in our daughters, our granddaughters and the young women in our communities,” she said.

“Are we teaching them that strength comes from being true to themselves.”

A diagnosis of ADHD when she was 39 years of age was a light bulb moment for Lucy when she suddenly understood why she couldn’t quite fit in.

“I always late, always disorganised and bouncing around in a head that wouldn’t shut up – apparently that was not ‘normal,” she said.

Lucy says that she has now become her own best friend and now she speaks to herself in a much kinder and more gentle way, the way she would talk to her best friend.

“It has made me a better person, one who is true to myself. It’s also made me a better parent, I think, one who is considerate of the reasons behind,” she said.

“We have a responsibility to be role models, to demonstrate through our actions that being a strong woman is about more than just surviving – its about thriving, about making a difference and about living a life that reflects our deepest values.”

In closing Lucy urged everyone to be true to themselves, to live with integrity and to do the right thing even when it’s hard.

“Let each of us be the really strong woman that we know we can be.”

After being applauded loudly by her audience of VIEW Club women, Lucy was presented with a token of appreciation by program officer Kerry Keating.

Three members attended the recent zone gala day in Manilla, where Jodie Sing was guest speaker. A renowned fire fighter and volunteer in Manilla her outstanding achievement was qualifying as an international Staffordshire Bull Terrier judge which takes her all over the world. She also breeds the dogs. The second guest speaker was Lyn Gregan, of Glen Innes, who has been involved with setting up the Northern Districts exhibits for the Royal Easter Show for more than 30 years.

A report from Cindy Pearce, who co-ordinates the Smith Family Learning for Life program, revealed that VIEW Clubs are supporting a total of 600 students living in disadvantage with 20 to graduate from school this year.

Members will celebrate the club’s birthday next month with special guest speakers Michelle and Shayne Riordan who will talk about back care.

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