A Northumberland businesswoman who was diagnosed with ADHD as an adult has spoken about helping others with disabilities.
Stephanie Ward, from Bedlington, was diagnosed with attention deficit disorder (ADHD) earlier this year after two years of suspecting she had the condition.
The 32-year-old said getting the diagnosis was the "last piece of the puzzle" after she learned to walk again after a severe joint condition left her in constant pain and using a wheelchair.
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Stephanie underwent a series of operations to fix her hip but continued to suffer from brain fog.
She said: "I always thought I was autistic as I had a lot of similarities with my son.
"Looking back the signs were very clearly there but when I took on a client with ADHD she asked 'When were you diagnosed with ADHD? - people with ADHD can often recognise those who have it.
"It was constant thoughts and ideas. It was like being in a busy shopping centre and everything going on around you. I couldn't sit on one thing. I ended up going on wild goose chases. I just couldn't get things done.
"There is a 22 month waiting list for our local area, fortunately I was able to go private and was diagnosed. I was given medication and it has changed my life.
"I do have ADHD but I have found a way to make it work. Medication has been completely phenomenal, it has changed my life."
She added: "Women are quite often diagnosed later in life, with symptoms made worse by the menopause or because of hormonal changes as we get older.
Doctors diagnosed Stephanie with hip dysplasia and told she'd need to undergo surgery to fix her hip.
After undergoing multiple surgeries to repair her joint, Stephanie was able to get out of her wheelchair and off crutches again to walk.
She said: "I had back pain from the age of 15 which was dismissed by my doctor.
"I was given medication and told to 'crack on'. I was accused of benefit seeking. I was told my pregnancy was causing the pain. I was told it was Fibromyalgia."
After living in pain for more than a decade, Stephanie saw a locum doctor who said she shouldn't be on crutches at 25.
She said: "I was then diagnosed with hip dysplasia that had been missed at birth due to the type it was.
"I was told I would need to undergo surgery but before they happened I ended up in a wheelchair full time."
Stephanie underwent her first operation to reconstruct her pelvis in 2017, followed by a second operation in 2018 and a third in August 2020.
She said: "Over the years that followed, I had five steroid injections, an arthroscopy with three types of damage repaired, two periacetabular osteotomy surgeries, and two hardware removals.
"I was able to get myself out of the wheelchair and off crutches, and find a life that would be compatible with who I was, and who I wanted to be.
"I couldn't walk down the street before the operation but by around October 2020 I was able to walk again. I can't walk too far but I can walk."
Stephanie has not let any of it hold her back and has dedicated her time to helping other people by being an advocate for people with disabilities.
Now, she has turned it into a successful business and helps provide job aids for disabled adults through the Government's access to work scheme.
Stephanie and her team provide free support and mentoring around applying, advocating for their own needs, and helping them to prepare a business plan and financial forecast.
Her company 'Spicy Brain Energy' provides marketing, fundraising and business admin support for solopreneurs and not-for-profit organisations, while Abilitrain Lt is a new company providing training to companies and individuals about neurodivergence and leading neurodivergent/neurodiverse teams.
She said: "In just two years I have grown my business from “laptop and iPad in the guest room” to a purely reputation based small business services company, serving 34 clients from Northumberland to Florida."
Stephanie also tries to actively employ people who have disabilities and is hoping to start an internship programme to help school children who have been diagnosed with ADHD and autism.
She said: "They need to be shown what their potential is and they need someone to tell them it will be okay."
Stephanie's son, Jack, was diagnosed with autism just before he turned six, after years of concern that were initially written off.
She is in the process of registering a charity, 'The Jack Ward Inclusion Initiative', which will provide support and mentoring to disabled adults and disabled school leavers who seek to maximise their potential but cannot access the help they need through other channels.
Now, Stephanie has been nominated for the Entrepreneur of Excellence Award at the National Diversity Awards.
She said: "I honestly screamed and cried when I found out. I didn't realise people see what I actually do.
"Someone nominated me and people have to vote. There are 100 votes so far and some of the things people have said are absolutely incredible - it blows my mind."
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