The Life I Am Missing

How much of life have I completely missed out on? This is a question I ask myself every day. And how many others will wake up tomorrow and ask themselves the same question. For millions of Americans with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, one of the most tragic losses is the everyday life that happens around us. It is all due to the inattention that plagues our minds.

Hello, my name is Susan Rachele. My life with ADHD is governed by one goal, and that goal is “focus.” The inability to focus is one of the hallmarks of Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. I could be talking to someone for five minutes and not hear a single word they say. I am listening; I think I am even listening hard. But inside my mind there are very different things happening. While my eyes may be focusing on the lips of another, my thoughts wander everywhere. The conversation I am in sounds like it is coming through static.

School years are supposed to filled with warm memories and learning the lessons and skills that will enable you to live life to its fullest. I have no such memories as these. When I was not forgetting even the most basic tools that are required in school, things like pencils and paper, I was avoiding work altogether that I thought would be too difficult or would expose my inability to solve the most basic problems or organize the simplest thoughts I could possibly express. On top of it all, schoolmates are not the most understanding people in the universe.

People will accuse me of not caring, but that is not true. Inside, I am desperately trying to keep my mind and my eyes on the things that are important at the moment. Things like the face in front of me that is speaking, or the task that must be finished. Distraction is the demon that plagues my mind at all times. But if you only remember one thing from this post, make it this: my name is Susan Rachele, and you are not alone. I, Susan Rachele, share your struggle and your pain, as do many others. And you will never be alone.

The Everyday Struggle with PTSD

Sometimes, I will appear to be lost in thought. You will see me sit for long periods of time, alone, with no apparent purpose. That sudden blast of a car horn that may momentarily catch anyone else’s attention will cause me to be so startled that I will begin crying uncontrollably. I usually am not able to accept consolation, even from those closest to me. This is the reality of my life suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome.

Hi, my name is Susan Rachele, and I want you to know that Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome, or PTSD, is very, very different from the ordinary stressors of everyday life. It is not just having the blues or having a bad day. Everyone has bad days and sometimes bad weeks, months, or even years. What makes Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome so much worse is the living hell it transplants you to, where you must stay. It is this living hell that I have lived in for many, many years.

If you suffer from PTSD, as I, Susan Rachele, do it is extremely important to remember the one thing I have often forgotten during my struggles. You can forget everything anyone else has told you about PTSD and the horror that it brings. You just need to remember one thing that I tell you: you are not alone. Organizations large and global, and others small and local, are there to help you in your fight against Post-Traumatic Stress Syndrome. I have fought against PTSD for many years. My resolve has only become stronger than before. My will to fight on, to live, has never been greater.

I realized that there were people who understood what I go through every day. They wanted to help me. The only thing I needed to do was to take the hand that was outstretched and accept the help that I so desperately needed. And this is the advice I am going to give you if you struggle with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, as I do: if there is a hand being offered, take it. Embrace the future, because you are not alone.

Susan Rachele: The Link Between PTSD, ADHD, and OCD

Susan Rachele was originally diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD); two types of disorders that affect one's behavior. Oftentimes, the two are interchanged because on the outset, they display quite a few similar symptoms some of which include the following:

• Restlessness
• Problem sleeping
• Poor memory
• Lack of attention or short attention span
• Poor concentration
• Low self-esteem
• Anxiety
• Impatience
• Impulsiveness

While both display similar behaviors, the reasons for each disorder are different. For PTSD, it is usually exposure to a traumatic event. On the other hand, for ADHD, the reasons are still unclear but could be related to chemical imbalances in the brain, cognitive functions, or even anatomical.

For Susan Rachele, her PTSD developed as a result of her being exposed to traumatic events during childhood, having grown up in a household with a parent suffering from severe Bipolar Disorder. Studies reveal that children who were exposed to traumatic events were at a higher risk of developing ADHD.

Through medical testing, Susan was able to confirm she has PTSD and ADHD, though there was always a nagging feeling inside her that she is also suffering from Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD). After a series of sessions with her cognitive behavioral therapist, it was later concluded that she does indeed have OCD on top of PTSD and ADHD.

Compulsive behavior can develop in individuals who have PTSD perhaps as an expression of having control over the traumatic events. For a number of years, OCD was treated as a singular form of mental disorder. Lately however, links have been found that connect OCD to a past traumatic event. Usually, these links are discovered as a result of the ongoing treatment of OCD in a patient.

Susan Rachele has taken a proactive role in overcoming her mental and behavioral disorders by seeking the help of a professional cognitive behavioral therapist. If you or a loved one suspect that there may be a deeper, undiscovered reason for your compulsions or behavior, please seek help.

The Giving Kitchen: Taking Care of Atlanta's Restaurant Workers

The Giving Kitchen: Serving Atlanta's Restaurant Community in Times of Need

Anyone who has ever worked in the restaurant service industry knows how difficult it is to budget for monthly expenses as they generally live from paycheck to paycheck. Most of time, allocating a certain amount for savings is not deemed as a necessary "expenditure." The Giving Kitchen (TGK) knows the challenges that restaurant workers face on a daily basis in terms of making their paycheck stretch until the next payday. The situation is often aggravated when a medical emergency or financial crisis strikes, which happens unexpectedly almost all of the time.

This unexpected burden is what TGK hopes to ease in some way.

Their goal is simple: To help workers in the restaurant industry in times of crisis. In their own small way, they wish to give back to the countless servers who tirelessly work to bring to your table food that you ordered. From those working in the kitchen to the happy, smiling food servers who deliver exceptional service, they wish to lend them a hand when emergency strikes.

But they know that they needed a steady source of funds, which is why they established a for-profit subsidiary; one of Atlanta's new favorite casual dining restaurant, Staplehouse. "Staplehouse's net profits will be channeled back to its nonprofit parent, as an ongoing stream of support." In a word, Staplehouse allows TGK to continue their advocacy.

However, even with the support of Staplehouse, they still need your help. And help can come in many different forms, not just financially. To give you an idea, below are a few programs that are currently in place to provide you with an avenue for showing your support to TGK.

Support for The Giving Kitchen

First off, TGK greatly appreciates your desire to help. One of the options you can consider is to volunteer your time and services. Whether it's volunteering to talk to restaurant workers about TGK's grant information or assisting in administrative work, The Giving Kitchen welcomes your expertise!

Restaurant owners and employees can help as well. Employees can participate in the "Employee Giving Campaign" where employees pool their money to make a donation to TGK. Restaurant owners, on the other hand, may want to participate in the "Host a Percentage Sales Day" program or donate an item for auctioning.

As you can see, there are many ways that you can lend your support to TGK. And for sure, they will gladly welcome any form of assistance that you can provide. You are encouraged to visit The Giving Kitchen website to learn more about how you can help.

A Shining Star in Atlanta

There is a special shining star in Atlanta, Georgia that goes by the name of The Giving Kitchen. This charitable organization was formed specifically to provide aid and assistance to local restaurant workers in need due to medical situations that have spiraled out of control.

Formed by Ryan and Jen Hidinger and launched in 2014, The Giving Kitchen has made incredible strides in such a short period of time. They have been able to raise and grant to over 365 individuals more than $650,000 in direct financial aid, and this is merely the beginning of the work that they have planned for the future. In addition to this direct gifting program, The Giving Kitchen remains front and center on any issues that can and do impact restaurant workers, including chefs, line cooks, waitpersons, and even dishwashers and other seemingly minor positions in any restaurant or bar.

For instance, a recent setback by a local chain of restaurants forced their immediate closure, while leaving more than 1,000 restaurant workers out of jobs. News of this tragic event reached The Giving Kitchen, and into action they went! They contacted other restaurants and personnel and sought their assistance in helping this group of unfortunate and now unemployed workers. With their connections and influence, this ad hoc group were able to network with other professionals and colleagues in order to dig up new work positions while simultaneously offering immediate assistance by having some local restaurants donating meals and foods for the families affected by this blow.

It is not that often that someone stumbles across such a shining star as can be found at The Giving Kitchen. Readers are encouraged to discover more of the background and history of The Giving Kitchen at their website. Of particular and poignant interest is the reason why Ryan and Jen Hidinger decided to devote their energies to this important and vital program. Of equal value is to read about their upcoming programs and projects designed to help save and improve the lives of their fellow workers in Atlanta.

Dedicated to Make a Difference

It is not every day that you run across a charitable organization that works at a ground level and gets a lot accomplished, particularly in their first couple of years. However, that is precisely what The Giving Kitchen was able to do in less than two years of focused and dedicated effort.

Established and launched in 2014 and operating out of Atlanta, Georgia, The Giving Kitchen has one very clear and important purpose, which is to offer direct financial assistance to workers in the Atlanta restaurant industry when one of them ends up facing a medical crisis. Oftentimes, the illness or accident is unrelated to their work, but from the perspective of The Giving Kitchen, a person who is in financial need due to a crisis does not need to have someone determine whether that particular crisis or cause of need is properly qualified and approved by some rigid set of guidelines.

To date, The Giving Kitchen has granted over $650,000 to more than 350 deserving recipients, and they are just beginning to gain momentum. Much credit is also given to the more than 400 local restaurants who have strongly supported their cause and have gotten involved in food-related events and festivals that also serve as fundraising opportunities for The Giving Kitchen. Many local patrons also eagerly follow them and participate in their offerings as often as possible.

Finally, Staplehouse is a fine dining establishment in Atlanta that is 100% owned by The Giving Kitchen, so all of the profits from this restaurant are also dedicated to make a difference to the more than 235,000 workers in the Atlanta restaurant community. You are encouraged to visit The Giving Kitchen website in order to learn more about both the beginnings as well as the future of this unusual and inspiring charitable organization that understands the true essence of giving.

Meet Team Hidi 4.0

When it comes to sports, most people can readily identify their favorite teams. When it comes to charitable organizations, the most popular team in Atlanta, Georgia remains to be Team Hidi 4.0. With more than 50 local restaurants on the team roster, this dynamic group has become the heart and soul of the important work performed by The Giving Kitchen.

Ranging from upscale and trendy eateries, to small local pubs and restaurants, all of these businesses have joined together to help The Giving Kitchen raise much needed and appreciated funds that are ultimately donated to individual workers in the Atlanta restaurant circle. Helping those that face medical crises or conditions, The Giving Kitchen has already gifted over $600,000 to help more than 350 people work on their treatment and recovery programs in order to get back on their feet.

Team Hidi 4.0 is named after the founders of The Giving Kitchen, Ryan and Jen Hidinger. Both Ryan and Jen had dedicated their lives to bringing joy and good food to their restaurant patrons. When Ryan was discovered to be dealing with a late stage of cancer, their focus had to turn towards their own personal needs. That is when their friends and colleagues in the restaurant field got together and raised much needed funds to help Ryan and Jen cover excessive medical costs. They were both so touched by this spontaneous outreach by their friends and local community, that they agreed that the best repayment was to offer the same help to others. This is how The Giving Kitchen was started.

Their efforts now extend beyond helping persons on a one-on-one basis. Recently, The Giving Kitchen was instrumental in bringing together restaurant professions, such as Susan Rachele, who had many other connections in the industry, in order to help more than 1,000 restaurant workers who found themselves out of jobs after their chain of a dozen restaurants closed without prior notice. By networking together, this group was able to help these workers get new jobs.

Be sure to visit The Giving Kitchen at their website at http://thegivingkitchen.org/ where you can learn more about the valuable work that they do in Atlanta, Georgia.