Month: July 2022

Photo Credit: Amy Brathwaite

Name: Jason Blades
ND Type/s: Dyslexia
What do you do: TV Presenter
Where do you live: Wolverhampton

How do you think your neurodiversity makes you different to others around you?

I don’t think it makes me different it just makes me unique, whether people have neurodiversity or not, everybody needs to feel comfortable with who they are and shine.

What is your favourite time of the day and why?

Every time of the day because I’m alive and that’s the most important thing.

Do you find it difficult to sleep or to get going in the mornings? Do you have a morning routine to set you up for the day ahead?

Not at all – as soon as my head hits the pillow I’m out – as soon as my alarm goes off I’m up. My routine starts with some Twist yoga – 100 push ups and avocado on toast with a cuppa.

Have you ever felt isolated by your Neurodivergence?

Never.

Are there any social situations that you particularly dread or avoid? And is there an environment you thrive in?

I thrive in all environments and don’t avoid any.

Have you read a book or seen a film or a play that has made an impact on your life or your view on the world?

Yes, loads. I have never read a book but the films that have impacted me are – Malcolm X, American History X, Leon, Amelie and Once Upon a Time in America

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received and who was it from?

‘If one of us make it we all make it’ – from a friend I grew up with.

When you were young, what did you want to be when you were a grown-up? And what was your first Job?

I was a painter and decorator for my first job, and I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up.

What do you do now and how did you get into it?

I am a TV presenter/community worker – TV found me, and I found community work when I volunteered at a hostel for the homeless.

Creativity and thinking differently are often credited to neurodiversity. Would you say that is true? And if yes, could you give an example?

Yes, it is true, 40% of people in the creative community have neurodiversity – that is proof that creativity thrives because of our neurodiversity.

When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, or have lost your focus, what do you do to get back on track? Do you have any hacks, tips or do you use any apps to keep you on track during the day?

I listen to music.

How does your Neurodiversity affect new relationships? This can be professionally, socially or romantically.

It hasn’t affected mine; it has improved my relationships because it encourages communication and honesty.

What makes you truly happy?
Music, playing Vinyl.

Do you have an interesting, or unusual, fact about you – that you can share with us?

I have a pudding after every meal, including breakfast.

What has been your biggest achievement so far?

I am still achieving; I will let you know when I get there.

Do you have a Positive message about Neurodiversity message to the world? Imagine you have a £5 million advertising campaign to spend on billboards all over the world, what would you say?

Influence people you are never going to meet, take your ego out of the equation and the world will be a better place.

And finally: Where can people find out more about you? Do you have a website and/or social media pages?

People can follow me on social media or learn what I’m up to on my website.

Jay Blades

Instagram

Mixcloud

Jay & Co

 

Name: Luke Manton
ND Type/s: Tourettes
What do you do: Virtual Personal Assistance (VPA) and Marketing Agency Owner
Where do you live: Cheltenham

How do you think your neurodiversity makes you different to others around you?

Well, mine isn’t hidden! I move shout and swear all thanks to tics. They cause people to stare at me, as much as I don’t want them to. But it has made me a lot more resilient than most. I can cope with being stared at, laughed at or made fun of a lot better than most people can.

What is your favourite time of the day and why?

Morning, I have a sunlight alarm clock that wakes me up naturally, super early. I’m always so productive in the morning.

Do you find it difficult to sleep or to get going in the mornings? Do you have a morning routine to set you up for the day ahead?

I really struggle to sleep as I tic constantly. I average about 4 hours but I think my body is just used to it by now. I have a morning routine and a very intense skin care routine is part of that, ageing is my enemy.

Have you ever felt isolated by your Neurodivergence?

Yes, I’ve been asked to leave a spa, leave restaurants, the cinema etc, all due to my tics, it’s the most upsetting and degrading feeling.

Are there any social situations that you particularly dread or avoid? And is there an environment you thrive in?

I don’t like large crowds. For obvious reasons I have to be careful with attending funerals, I usually hide outside and just listen in. I avoid events with children, such as my niece and nephew’s birthday parties etc. But oddly, if I’m giving a talk on stage, I’m super confident.

Have you read a book or seen a film or a play that has made an impact on your life or your view on the world?

I read a book called Measel and the Wrathmonk as a kid, it’s as ridiculous as it sounds. But the kid (Measel) was shrunk and still managed to beat that bad guy. It showed no matter how small you are, you can do anything with determination.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received and who was it from?

Jennifer Tarjanyi told me to be visible. It was super simple but I was so used to hiding, that showing up as me made the biggest impact in my life.

When you were young, what did you want to be when you were a grown-up? And what was your first Job?

I wanted to be a presenter of a wildlife show, reptiles in particular. My very first Job was a Saturday job at a reptile store which enhanced the dream further.

What do you do now and how did you get into it?

I own Manton Executives, a virtual personal assistance and marketing agency. I started it because nobody wanted to hire someone with Tourettes, so I hired myself.

Creativity and thinking differently are often credited to neurodiversity. Would you say that is true? And if yes, could you give an example?

I think it depends on the individual, I’ve always been the creative type, I have an eye for design, but I know people who are ND and don’t have a creative bone in their body!

When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, or have lost your focus, what do you do to get back on track? Do you have any hacks, tips or do you use any apps to keep you on track during the day?

I shut off completely and take a break. I’ll do something I enjoy, that can be work or to relax. I’ll then break down what I’m trying to do, find the problem and Google a solution or ask someone about the things causing me issues.

How does your Neurodiversity affect new relationships? This can be professionally, socially or romantically.

I don’t make friends easily, I never have. Tourettes makes me not want to meet new people so it can be a struggle. I get married next year so thankfully I don’t have to worry about the romantic side.

What makes you truly happy?

Being successful and comfortable financially. It sounds so shallow BUT I spent a long time thinking I never would be. Now I have the lifestyle I want and can care for/spoil my family when I want to. I have so much more freedom than I ever thought I would.

Do you have an interesting, or unusual, fact about yourself that you can share with us?

I can pole dance! My best friend wanted to go to a pole fitness class but didn’t want to go alone, so I went too and fell in love with it. So yes, I can spin, flip and everything on a pole.

What has been your biggest achievement so far?

I sang the national anthem, live, with Katheirne Jenkins in front of 63k people. A crazy experience that really was once in a lifetime.

Do you have a Positive ND message to the world? Imagine you have a £5 million advertising campaign to spend on billboards all over the world, what would you say?

We’re still human. People treat us so differently and it drives me wild. I’m not stupid, I’m not deaf, talk to me like a normal human being.

Where can people find out more about you? Do you have a website and/or social media pages?

Manton Executives – Website

mantonexecutives – Instagram

Luke Mantonme – LinkedIn

Respect Mental Health YouTube channel – Tourette’s and Mental Health. Ticced Off

Name: Jim Rokos
ND Type/s: Dyslexic
What do you do: Glassware Design
Where do you live: London

How do you think your neurodiversity makes you different to others around you?

I find everybody is different, and often surprising. As an individual, I don’t have neurodiversity. A population is diverse, rather than a person.

What is your favourite time of the day and why?

I like walking the dog after work. She has an obsession with tennis balls and in the park will magic them out of nowhere.

Do you find it difficult to sleep or to get going in the mornings? Do you have a morning routine to set you up for the day ahead?

Good sleep comes in phases. I won’t sleep easily for a few weeks, and then I will fall asleep right away for a similar period. The day starts with coffee and breakfast.

Have you ever felt isolated by your Neurodivergence?

I was very shy for a few years after leaving school, our education system being so unsuitable for dyslexics. I spoke so little at college that my peers thought that no one was in.

Have you read a book or seen a film or a play that has made an impact on your life or your view on the world?

I didn’t read much of it, but Lateral Thinking by Edward de Bono was interesting. Dyslexics are natural lateral thinkers and I leant it to a classmate who pointed out that it tells us how to do what we already do.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received and who was it from?

On my foundation year in art and design I was struggling on the graphic design course, which I felt I should be on because I had thrived at graphic design as part of my A level in art and design. The foundation’s 3D tutor, Simon Young suggested ‘Why not switch to 3D where everyone has fun?’, which turned out to be useful.

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you were a grown-up? And what was your first Job?

I didn’t have a particular job in mind as a child. I started work as a modelmaker. I forget which company was the very first – I must find my old invoice book – it might have been at Crawley Creatures, making a model cornfield for an advertisement.

What do you do now and how did you get into it?

I design unusual glassware for my brand of home décor. Wine decanters, flower vases, candleholders and that sort of thing. Creating a brand seemed the best way to produce my ideas. I had pitched an object to the buyer at the Conran shop who advised to offer more than one object, so I started a range.

Creativity and thinking differently are often credited to neurodiversity. Would you say that is true? And if yes, could you give an example?

People think in different ways, which can be very helpful in a group or population. Dyslexics are naturally good at visual, 3D and creative thinking, and problem solving.

When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, or have lost your focus, what do you do to get back on track? Do you have any hacks, tips or do you use any apps to keep you on track during the day?

It is good to change activity. Especially good if activities vary. After some time at the computer it can be helpful to reboot by unloading the dishwasher. A change is as good as a rest. However, a rest can be good too.

How does your Neurodiversity affect new relationships? This can be professionally, socially or romantically.

I often feel an easy connection when I meet people who have a more unusual brain structure, especially dyslexics.

What makes you truly happy?
The dog dancing when she greets me.

Do you have an interesting, or unusual, fact about yourself – that you can share with us?

As a child I cheated on my first dyslexia assessment to ensure that I would not have to attend French lessons.

What has been your biggest achievement so far?

The Dyslexic Design exhibition of 2016.

Do you have a Positive ND message to the world? Imagine you have a £5 million advertising campaign to spend on billboards all over the world, what would you say?

I’d have to give much thought and carry out a lot of research before spending a budget like that.

And finally – where can people find out more about you? Do you have a website and/or social media pages?

Rokos.com
@rokosdesign
@jimrokos