Introducing the Hunters

A few years ago, a child psychologist referred me to a wonderful little book entitled Attention Deficit Disorder: A Different Perception, written by Thom Hartmann. The vision and philosophy of this concept is so startling and so empowering for people with ADHD, that I want to pass on to you. I hope it uplifts, encourages, and emboldens others to be all they can be in spite of the fact they may be hunters living in a predominantly farmer's world.

When I think of my own ancestors, I can immediately sense how Mr. Hartmann's description fit these early pioneers in this country. The United States was founded by people with vision, restlessness, impatience, boldness, and impulsivity. All through the generations, there were signs of the hunter running through my mother's side of the family; from an original settler of Salisbury MA, to old General Hallock, known (endearingly??) by the troops as "Old Fuss and Feathers," right down to the youngest generation.

From a young age, mother's "reckless impulsivity" had the fire department rescuing her three times from the dumb waiter (an open chute) of a new house under construction. It wasn't long before they knew her address by heart.

They rescued her from trees about as often as they had to rescue her cat. Extremely intelligent, we now know she not only had ADHD, but also a learning disability in math, known today as dyscalculia. The remedy in those days was physically applied at school, and to her dying day, Mother carried a three-inch scar across the back of the hand, inflicted by the edge of a ruler.

The "whaps" with the ruler certainly didn't cause Mother to suddenly become proficient in math. As an adult, she sometimes resulted to counting on her fingers; but she was also a fabulous bridge player and never lost count of trump cards. Nowhere would you find a more generous, sensitive, tender hearted, loving, imaginative, wonderful mother who doted on her children, often making personal sacrifices for their well-being. Misunderstood by some, dearly loved by many others, she offered the socially mixed bag so typical of a person with ADHD.

What follows is strictly my understanding and interpretation of the hunter and farmer theory. This is important, as each of us views information colored by past experience, our base of knowledge, and personal bias. I try only to paint an impressionistic canvas for you to interpret as you will. I am more convinced than ever that ADHD, in and of itself, is not necessarily a disorder, but rather a reflection of square pegs trying to fit into round holes. Hunters seem greatly outnumbered by farmers in our society, and unfarmerlike qualities are frequently not appreciated.

onto Hunters and Farmers

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