I found this gem because I straight googled "poetry about ADD" thinking I was the only writer who wrote about a disorder as underlooked as ADD. Ill tell you what, your nephew may be much smaller than I am but we share something so rare already and that's the crazy beautiful mind of attention deficit and I feel for him so hard. I spent the last week of my finals week writing rhymes about my own frustrations with ADD and society and I really needed to hear this video. This was so incredibly lifting; you are mad talented and I cant tell you enough how meaningful this message is. You spoke my soul, thanks man you rock.
I was diagnosed with ADD in elementary school, and since then my mother has done everything in her power to "correct" the way I think and learn because all that matters to her is that I'm getting A's. I've been called lazy and unmotivated every time I didn't meet her standards. This poem describes so beautifully what I have always felt. I'm not normal and I've finally learned to be proud of that, so don't ever tell me I need training wheels and a fucking pill every day to be smart enough.
Oh my gosh this made me cry. during school by my teachers, my classmates, my family, I was always told my brain wanders too much and I never paid attention because I was always to in a daydream, even when people talk to me I have the scene playing out in great detail in my head. Whenever people asked me why I was never in problems but manage to sort out bigger ones, I would always reply because I just think and they would say "YOU??". I don't like to point out the flaws of society since I have lots of flaws myself and I am an individual that makes up society but it's so sad how intelligence is based on how clever they are through remembering stuff mostly and not by creativity to resolve problems because if you sort problems in a way people don't understand, they just resort it to luck.
Speechless with damp eyes, We all understand. Instead of medicating children we need to step back with a pad and pen. We need to learn from them. Thanks Rafael. And thanks Shawn for being the little man that you are.
You are the voice i wish i had. I've never heard someone speak the truth like that. I was diagnosed with ADD when i was in grade 3, the amount of different drugs i had to take to "control my condition" has turned my body into a chemical pit, i cant digest many foods, i cant have children of my own and developed depression after quitting them without my doctors consent. Sean will grow up to be a man worth mentioning, with an uncle like you to guide him.
Oshunya1, my older brother was diagnosed before he was in first grade. He was put on Ritalin as well, and the exact word my mother used to describe his radically changed behavior was "zombie". I remembered how disinterested he became in our playing, and I hated the doctors that prescribed him Ritalin for making my brother empty. Thank you, Rafael.
Your ability to educate through entertainment is incredible. It is so inspiring to listen to this, to know that there are great minds in my generation. I love this poem!
This is absolutely incredible, and I agree with many of the points, but I don't like condemming medication, as I have ADHD-PI, and had never experience mental clarity (as far as I can remember) before taking that first dose of adderall. I helps me pay attention, keep myself and others safe, (used to forget to turn off burners and left sharp objects lying around) and allows me to give my undivided attention to whatever task at hand was.
I really wanna try adhd meds (my psychiatrist diagnosed me a while ago) but my dad cancelled our insurance and my mom can't afford it and my dad refuses to pay so I haven't been able to try them out but I'm really excited to try them bc I want them to work. (And I just realized this comment was pointless 😂)
I'm acutely aware that I'm responding to a 3 year old comment, but in the event that you see this and still care (No irony intended) he isn't, as I see it, condemning medication, but rather the over-prescription of medication. Making sure that people get the meds they need is a good thing, but the point he was making (again, just my interpretation), is that giving 'difficult kinds' a prescription of Adderall or Ritalin has become something of an "easy option", a default even. If it's impractical to live your life without your meds, then far be it from me to try and take them from you, but in the case of kids whose problems could be solved with a few hours of CBT a week and a good educational SEN program, a lot of them might have happier lives if they didn't feel reliant on pills. Again, make no mistake, medical technology is amazing, and the existence of these drugs is an incredible thing, but sometimes, just sometimes, people are better
I have watched this everyday for a month now...and it still gives me shills and a tear breaks my eye every time it ends...truly the most powerful piece I have ever heard...
ADHD is a real thing, and the medication does help- some people. I was diagnosed after my freshman year of college, and started taking meds about 6 months later. The catch is that medicine does not fix the problem. I went to counseling to learn how to study effectively, how to focus, and how to discipline myself into getting work done. THEN I added the meds. They help. But medicine alone is not an answer.
+Matthias Demanche It's okay that being able to concentrate is a virtue and it can be taught, but ashamement makes larger individuals into dictators and school shooters.
Here, according to the description, he's isn't saying the disorder is not real. He's speaking to the "'over-diagnosis' of kids who function outside of the box".
I am moved. I have A.D.D myself, and this poem just touched my heart, i love it. You did a great job, and I feel for your nephew. I can really relate to this
As a special education teacher, who is not an avid fan of medicating children, I LOVE this! Sooooo many of our kids who have been unjustly labeled just need to hear this, just like sooooo many teachers (who do the labeling and ignore the whole being of the child) need to see this.
everytime i watch this im in amazement, i never even thought about it in this way. he makes so much sense and his play on words just leaves your jaw dropping every time! pure talent.
Bravo! You are speaking truth to power. Rather, your truth is power. Thank you for breaking it down so eloquently. Mothers, stop the madness of medicating the genius of our sons. Honor their passion and refuse the recommendations of those who would anethesize the future we birth. Our children come here to teach us. Rather than slow them down to our revolution, seek to vibrate higher to their higher consciousness. Follow your inner voice. If you feel bad about it, it's not right. All is well.
Oh my God is all I could say throughout the entire video, and at the end it hit me so hard I literally jumped out my seat in disbelief saying oh my God! How did he ever manage to put this into words. He said everything that needed to be said about kids and adults with ADD or ADHD. point blank period.
DAMN. Pardon the french--I just cannot hold myself back. I listened to this 4 times in a row and cried everytime. My friend, my good man, you hit every line and every point square and true. I am equally inspired by the amount of love and compassion you have for your nephew. Thank you for putting this into the world. Permanent alteration of the consciousness of so many kids has gotta be a form crime against humanity, and probably against civilized society. Let's imagine a more hospitable world. Thank you again.
I have ADD, and its been a struggle to get through school. I have one semester left at UCberkeley, and this song has gotten me through countless nights where I just didn't feel smart enough to make it-when I thought I couldn't think well enough to finish college. I'm going to see you perform on Friday, and I'm looking forward to met the man who so perfectly put my feelings into lyrical form. You amaze me :)
yo im a mature 23 yr old man from detroit and i "had" a.d.d. as a kid before i could think for myself and im pouring tears rn it feels like he was in my brain as a kid dont know how i got here but thank you i feel like a weights been lifted knowing others think the same way i thought 12 years ago
I watched this when I was a teenager but forgot about this amazing artist and then Casals music just popped up on my spotify playlist. Had to look this back up and it still gives me chills.
that was amazing... just down right amazing. i was on that stuff since 3rd grade. im 23 and i havent touched it in 3 years. i run my own music store now
So much progress from his early work. It was always good but this stuff is just on a whole different level. And it's crazy that his presentation is so good considering he's reading it off the paper. Massive props homie. You're doing incredible stuff.
I have A.D.D. and this gave me hella courage to start high school in the fall....I'm going to a school for G.T. students...but sometime I do feel inferior. But I loved this poem!
Thank You... Hearken well so be it heard the soulful knowing of the poet's word wisdom of the ages within his heart from which his words have their start a potential to soar, to be itself known within his plea a mission be shown. APOGEE Poet in gratitude.
it's hard because a true teacher's job is to inspire his/her students & be creative enough to keep their attention... but when the government & such are pushing standardized test that rate not only "rate" the intelligence of the student but the quality of the teacher there is no room left for creativity
I've have A.D.H.D and from a young age I was told I was probably going to have special needs in Reading and Writing 16 years later I'm in my second year at University studying Graphic Design. Never let anyone tell you being different is bad, just because you find it hard to focus on one thing doesn't mean you can't excel at another. Life has taught me one thing, Fuck anyone that tries to hold you back and restrict your future by saying you can't do something, you make your life what it is.
this is defo thee most amazing poem i have ever heard!!! if i had more then 2 thumbs, he would would get them all up!! the best thing of rafael is his poems r not only cleverly put together but they r all 100% true!! amazing job man!!! i look forward to more work from u!!!!!!!!
😍 I've been enamored by you and Daveed's talent since watching Blindspotting and subsequently making EVERYONE in my life go see it. You are an incredible BayArea talent and as a 10 year East Bay chick (attempting as always to be a conscious gentrifier, its hard but I support housing rights, all da fights! and fight for Palestine and try myself not to get priced out on my own furlough) I just have sooo much love and respect for your art. Keep it up homie!!! So much love and respect.
This is an awesome slam..I wish I was allowed to show this to my kids that I teach..maybe I'll have to perform it live..Mad props Rafael..Keep it up brotha...
I have ADD & ADHD , Ive had it all my life but, my I didn't let my deffieciency bring me down because im shorter than the rest and crazier but im different this poem is my life! #STORYOFMYLIFE Don't let anyone tell you what you can & cannot do!
I remember being 13, and wanting to shake my brother's second grade teacher for being frazzled and incompetent. Instead of doing her damn job, she wanted my brother drugged. But LADY, can't you see that it's your academia factory that is broken, and not my brother? I'm glad he got diagnosed, I'm glad they got that, it meant my parents had more understanding how to work with him... but the drugs. They didn't make him better, and I thank my parents for letting him, at age 7, decide to be drug free
Sweet. I passed your info along to my friend Phil Bongiorno. He has an art studio and does poetry/spoken word pretty much every month. Its down in Santa Clara right near the University. Its a super chill spot filled with beautiful art. My experience of his studio is that it encompasses peoples free expression of whats in their hearts and minds. I hope we get to have you come visit soon!!! :)
Shit. Just found this and crying like a bitch because all the beautiful people in my life are this little boy. I wrote a poem after my son was diagnosed on the spectrum and read it at a poetry slam years ago. I hope your nephew is thriving Rafa.
i was left in fuckin TEARS after this, as a child i was on Ritalin and it made me feel so horrid to not be like the rest. thankfully my mom took me off it, but that fear never left me. i cant watch anymore for now. thank you
"& if they ever tell you you can't focus, good, pay them no attention"
He Murdered it..
I know he fucking killed it
just casually sobbing at my computer bc somebody finally understands and is positive about it no big deal im fiiiiiine
i’m mad late but i’m literally about to start crying😭
I found this gem because I straight googled "poetry about ADD" thinking I was the only writer who wrote about a disorder as underlooked as ADD. Ill tell you what, your nephew may be much smaller than I am but we share something so rare already and that's the crazy beautiful mind of attention deficit and I feel for him so hard. I spent the last week of my finals week writing rhymes about my own frustrations with ADD and society and I really needed to hear this video. This was so incredibly lifting; you are mad talented and I cant tell you enough how meaningful this message is. You spoke my soul, thanks man you rock.
Here I am rewatching this for the thousandth time in my life. It's a crime that this doesn't have millions of views.
I watch this every day just to feel validated by this beautiful and talented man
I was diagnosed with ADD in elementary school, and since then my mother has done everything in her power to "correct" the way I think and learn because all that matters to her is that I'm getting A's. I've been called lazy and unmotivated every time I didn't meet her standards. This poem describes so beautifully what I have always felt. I'm not normal and I've finally learned to be proud of that, so don't ever tell me I need training wheels and a fucking pill every day to be smart enough.
I have seen this video hundreds of times over the last 12 years and every time I still get goose bumps! Such a good piece!
I loved this in 2008 and I love it today. Such a powerful piece! Thank you, Uncle!
Oh my gosh this made me cry. during school by my teachers, my classmates, my family, I was always told my brain wanders too much and I never paid attention because I was always to in a daydream, even when people talk to me I have the scene playing out in great detail in my head. Whenever people asked me why I was never in problems but manage to sort out bigger ones, I would always reply because I just think and they would say "YOU??". I don't like to point out the flaws of society since I have lots of flaws myself and I am an individual that makes up society but it's so sad how intelligence is based on how clever they are through remembering stuff mostly and not by creativity to resolve problems because if you sort problems in a way people don't understand, they just resort it to luck.
I would love you to listen to two talks by Ken Robinson, talking at ted talks. find it on you tube.
8
Speechless with damp eyes, We all understand. Instead of medicating children we need to step back with a pad and pen. We need to learn from them. Thanks Rafael. And thanks Shawn for being the little man that you are.
I'm smiling and crying at the same time, man.
Thank you.
This gave me goosebumps!!!!! My son was recently diagnosed with ADHD and this video means a lot to me. Thank you so much!
You are the voice i wish i had. I've never heard someone speak the truth like that. I was diagnosed with ADD when i was in grade 3, the amount of different drugs i had to take to "control my condition" has turned my body into a chemical pit, i cant digest many foods, i cant have children of my own and developed depression after quitting them without my doctors consent. Sean will grow up to be a man worth mentioning, with an uncle like you to guide him.
Oshunya1, my older brother was diagnosed before he was in first grade. He was put on Ritalin as well, and the exact word my mother used to describe his radically changed behavior was "zombie". I remembered how disinterested he became in our playing, and I hated the doctors that prescribed him Ritalin for making my brother empty. Thank you, Rafael.
Your ability to educate through entertainment is incredible. It is so inspiring to listen to this, to know that there are great minds in my generation. I love this poem!
Finding myself back here after 10 years. Thanks RAF :)
Again, talent coupled with sincerity is unstoppable. Great piece of work.
This is absolutely incredible, and I agree with many of the points, but I don't like condemming medication, as I have ADHD-PI, and had never experience mental clarity (as far as I can remember) before taking that first dose of adderall. I helps me pay attention, keep myself and others safe, (used to forget to turn off burners and left sharp objects lying around) and allows me to give my undivided attention to whatever task at hand was.
I really wanna try adhd meds (my psychiatrist diagnosed me a while ago) but my dad cancelled our insurance and my mom can't afford it and my dad refuses to pay so I haven't been able to try them out but I'm really excited to try them bc I want them to work. (And I just realized this comment was pointless 😂)
I'm acutely aware that I'm responding to a 3 year old comment, but in the event that you see this and still care (No irony intended) he isn't, as I see it, condemning medication, but rather the over-prescription of medication. Making sure that people get the meds they need is a good thing, but the point he was making (again, just my interpretation), is that giving 'difficult kinds' a prescription of Adderall or Ritalin has become something of an "easy option", a default even. If it's impractical to live your life without your meds, then far be it from me to try and take them from you, but in the case of kids whose problems could be solved with a few hours of CBT a week and a good educational SEN program, a lot of them might have happier lives if they didn't feel reliant on pills.
Again, make no mistake, medical technology is amazing, and the existence of these drugs is an incredible thing, but sometimes, just sometimes, people are better
JSD123 Very well put
I have watched this everyday for a month now...and it still gives me shills and a tear breaks my eye every time it ends...truly the most powerful piece I have ever heard...
Heard this for the first time live in Ft. Lauderdale. THIS IS AWESOME, absolutely love it.
ADHD is a real thing, and the medication does help- some people. I was diagnosed after my freshman year of college, and started taking meds about 6 months later. The catch is that medicine does not fix the problem. I went to counseling to learn how to study effectively, how to focus, and how to discipline myself into getting work done. THEN I added the meds. They help. But medicine alone is not an answer.
Adam Mathias the money isn't in the cure, its in the medication.
+Matthias Demanche It's okay that being able to concentrate is a virtue and it can be taught, but ashamement makes larger individuals into dictators and school shooters.
Here, according to the description, he's isn't saying the disorder is not real. He's speaking to the "'over-diagnosis' of kids who function outside of the box".
I am moved. I have A.D.D myself, and this poem just touched my heart, i love it. You did a great job, and I feel for your nephew. I can really relate to this
As a special education teacher, who is not an avid fan of medicating children, I LOVE this! Sooooo many of our kids who have been unjustly labeled just need to hear this, just like sooooo many teachers (who do the labeling and ignore the whole being of the child) need to see this.
I get chills at least three times every time i listen to this.
i hope you keep this up forever, because one day when he's old enough to understand it, my little brother needs to hear it.
I can't get enough of your words.
I've been waiting to hear someone who gets it for so long. You're amazing.
everytime i watch this im in amazement, i never even thought about it in this way. he makes so much sense and his play on words just leaves your jaw dropping every time! pure talent.
Bravo! You are speaking truth to power. Rather, your truth is power. Thank you for breaking it down so eloquently. Mothers, stop the madness of medicating the genius of our sons. Honor their passion and refuse the recommendations of those who would anethesize the future we birth. Our children come here to teach us. Rather than slow them down to our revolution, seek to vibrate higher to their higher consciousness. Follow your inner voice. If you feel bad about it, it's not right. All is well.
Absolutely breathtaking. I love this. His words are so amazing and more importantly, so True.
tell kids they're inferior and have them buy back their efficiency.
god, i love this guy. so much talent!
It's been a decade and I'm STILL quoting this poem to myself. "THEY ARE AFRAID OF YOU!"
Oh my God is all I could say throughout the entire video, and at the end it hit me so hard I literally jumped out my seat in disbelief saying oh my God! How did he ever manage to put this into words. He said everything that needed to be said about kids and adults with ADD or ADHD. point blank period.
I've been looking for this video for years!!!!!!! Just made my day that I found it... this is the video that made spoken word my passion!
Keep speaking your truth! You can never go wrong. You are AMAZING!!!
DAMN. Pardon the french--I just cannot hold myself back. I listened to this 4 times in a row and cried everytime. My friend, my good man, you hit every line and every point square and true. I am equally inspired by the amount of love and compassion you have for your nephew. Thank you for putting this into the world. Permanent alteration of the consciousness of so many kids has gotta be a form crime against humanity, and probably against civilized society. Let's imagine a more hospitable world. Thank you again.
I have ADD, and its been a struggle to get through school. I have one semester left at UCberkeley, and this song has gotten me through countless nights where I just didn't feel smart enough to make it-when I thought I couldn't think well enough to finish college. I'm going to see you perform on Friday, and I'm looking forward to met the man who so perfectly put my feelings into lyrical form. You amaze me :)
yo im a mature 23 yr old man from detroit and i "had" a.d.d. as a kid before i could think for myself and im pouring tears rn it feels like he was in my brain as a kid dont know how i got here but thank you i feel like a weights been lifted knowing others think the same way i thought 12 years ago
I love this poem. It made me cry because I can identify with that, for my nephew and myself. Thank you.
I love this video, the story behind it, and the ending is just pure awesome!
I watched this when I was a teenager but forgot about this amazing artist and then Casals music just popped up on my spotify playlist. Had to look this back up and it still gives me chills.
Still love this after all these years
Absolutely brilliant!
this is by far my favorite video. we are unable to use our imaginations because we are constantly being told to think logically. powerful message.
I hung on his every word and by the end I was just awe-struck by his powerful speech -3
I got chills, Rafael is my idol
this crazy deep
Absolutely breathtaking. I love this. His words are so amazing and more importantly, so true
Woooooo! Amazing!!!!
that was amazing... just down right amazing. i was on that stuff since 3rd grade. im 23 and i havent touched it in 3 years. i run my own music store now
.."If they ever tell u you can't focus, good, pay them no attention"...speechless..
That was so briliant....I'm speechless.
So much progress from his early work. It was always good but this stuff is just on a whole different level. And it's crazy that his presentation is so good considering he's reading it off the paper. Massive props homie. You're doing incredible stuff.
that gave me chills! his flow is sick
love it, & its message.
I have A.D.D. and this gave me hella courage to start high school in the fall....I'm going to a school for G.T. students...but sometime I do feel inferior. But I loved this poem!
Thank You...
Hearken well so be it heard
the soulful knowing of the poet's word
wisdom of the ages within his heart
from which his words have their start
a potential to soar, to be itself known
within his plea a mission be shown.
APOGEE Poet in gratitude.
That poem is love, stay blessed!
it's hard because a true teacher's job is to inspire his/her students & be creative enough to keep their attention... but when the government & such are pushing standardized test that rate not only "rate" the intelligence of the student but the quality of the teacher there is no room left for creativity
Beautiful absolutely beautiful :')
you are an amazing inspiration. Thank you
i'm seriously blown away! so awesome
This was awesome. Too bad I couldn't see this live.
I've have A.D.H.D and from a young age I was told I was probably going to have special needs in Reading and Writing 16 years later I'm in my second year at University studying Graphic Design. Never let anyone tell you being different is bad, just because you find it hard to focus on one thing doesn't mean you can't excel at another. Life has taught me one thing, Fuck anyone that tries to hold you back and restrict your future by saying you can't do something, you make your life what it is.
this is defo thee most amazing poem i have ever heard!!!
if i had more then 2 thumbs, he would would get them all up!!
the best thing of rafael is his poems r not only cleverly put together but they r all 100% true!!
amazing job man!!!
i look forward to more work from u!!!!!!!!
i seriously felt special after this. i have adhd and im proud of it.
"nowadays we raise young ones to be much more machine like". So real.
"They are afraid of you, Shawn,
because you beg to question
because boys like you grow into men worth a mention"
this made me cry, yet smile. :)
brilliant Rafael!
OMG sooooo great.
this is amazing...his delivery is rediculous...i would give half my life away2see u in person casal!
Yes! Needed to hear this! 🔥🔥
😍 I've been enamored by you and Daveed's talent since watching Blindspotting and subsequently making EVERYONE in my life go see it. You are an incredible BayArea talent and as a 10 year East Bay chick (attempting as always to be a conscious gentrifier, its hard but I support housing rights, all da fights! and fight for Palestine and try myself not to get priced out on my own furlough) I just have sooo much love and respect for your art. Keep it up homie!!! So much love and respect.
You and Shawn made my day.
This is amazing, thank you.This made my day.
This is an awesome slam..I wish I was allowed to show this to my kids that I teach..maybe I'll have to perform it live..Mad props Rafael..Keep it up brotha...
this made me cry :D totally awesome, I wish that little boy all the best. This is deep
This Guy is so real! Deep as hell!
This man is dope AF. What a great performance.
chills everytime.
I have ADD and I have to say, for some reason I feel like I am more open minded than my peers in school. Good Job Rafael
I have ADD & ADHD , Ive had it all my life but, my I didn't let my deffieciency bring me down because im shorter than the rest and crazier but im different this poem is my life!
#STORYOFMYLIFE Don't let anyone tell you what you can & cannot do!
WOW AMAZING
This is intense, your an inspiration young man, keep doing what your doing
Your one of my favourite poets
You are a poet and a missionary.
I remember being 13, and wanting to shake my brother's second grade teacher for being frazzled and incompetent. Instead of doing her damn job, she wanted my brother drugged. But LADY, can't you see that it's your academia factory that is broken, and not my brother? I'm glad he got diagnosed, I'm glad they got that, it meant my parents had more understanding how to work with him... but the drugs. They didn't make him better, and I thank my parents for letting him, at age 7, decide to be drug free
I was an unfortunate case where my mother was such a teacher... young little me had no chance... none at all
Feeling good and astute now though
On the Money, Mr. Casal!!!
This dude is fantastic!
Sweet. I passed your info along to my friend Phil Bongiorno. He has an art studio and does poetry/spoken word pretty much every month. Its down in Santa Clara right near the University. Its a super chill spot filled with beautiful art. My experience of his studio is that it encompasses peoples free expression of whats in their hearts and minds. I hope we get to have you come visit soon!!! :)
he just blew my mind 🤯 this just connects with me on such a level I didn't even realize!
speechless...
wow!!! very nice, i myself have sld , and i feel u on this!!!!
wow, that was mind-blowingly brilliant.
Shit. Just found this and crying like a bitch because all the beautiful people in my life are this little boy. I wrote a poem after my son was diagnosed on the spectrum and read it at a poetry slam years ago. I hope your nephew is thriving Rafa.
Well I swear I've got ADD at least, but this is a great poem. He nailed it.
i love this, i have add. and love this poem, we the add, etc are artistic.
This gave me chills...I love it 💜
i was left in fuckin TEARS after this, as a child i was on Ritalin and it made me feel so horrid to not be like the rest. thankfully my mom took me off it, but that fear never left me. i cant watch anymore for now. thank you
still gets me...
wow, just wow. this is inspiring.
That was brilliant!
word...you the truth man keep doin what you din its a blessin
This guy's just great