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Author Topic: A common condition: ADHD, and How I overcame and fixed it to get into the CF.  (Read 1155 times)

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Offline McCurdy526

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A common condition: ADHD, and How I overcame and fixed it to get into the CF.
« on: February 06, 2010, 11:21:48 »
I am currently waiting for spots to open in April, and I have ADHD. I was diagnosed with ADHD 3 years ago. That was when I was 14. It took a lot of time for the Medics in Toronto to accept my doctor's note on me having ADHD back in December 2009. What I did, I weened off of the Concerta (methylphenidate), took 1 pill every other day, every 3 days, once a week. Then I stopped. My doctor kept up to date with my activities and what-not, and I am all set.

I have been off my medication a full 2 months, with great success!

ADHD and ADD are being thrown around a lot these days.

And about the CF medical standards, I think they are right. I have no objection to their Medical Standards. I remember getting a letter in late November saying I was not Medically fit for the CF due to my Medication.  :-\ "Well that's not that damn fair to me."

So, I stayed determined to join the CF. I didn't stray off nor become discouraged. I called the Medics in Toronto and asked them if there was ANYTHING I could do to become medically fit. They said I needed an official letter from my doctor saying that I am excellent when I am off my medication.

It had never made so much sense before in my life. So that's what I did. I got a letter from my doctor saying that I was going to be taken off of my medication. I faxed that to Toronto and they replied saying I needed to be off my medication for AT LEAST 3 weeks. I said to myself, "Ok, fine. Let's do this."   

I waited about 22-23 days and went to see my doctor. I got an updated letter from my doctor saying I was all clear for medication; I am doing just fine. I faxed that to the Medics in Toronto and I got a phone-call saying it got sent up the pipe to Ottawa.

(All of these events happened from Late November 2009 to December 23rd, 2009)

January 21st, 2010. I receive a letter from RMO Ottawa Medical Officer saying, "I am pleased to inform you that you now meet the common medical requirements for both the Reserve and Regular Forces."

I was overjoyed, and now I wait until April for Infantry Positions to see if I can get into the Reserves.

P.S. I originally signed up for a Military Co-op at my school, but I did not make it due to position cuts. I decided to see if I could join the Reserves  - Infantry without the co-op.

Cheers,
Zach McCurdy, Age 17
Canadian Forces Applicant
« Last Edit: February 06, 2010, 14:22:38 by McCurdy526 »
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Offline ModlrMike

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Re: A common ADHD problem with the CF, and How I overcame and fixed it.
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2010, 13:58:36 »
Congratulations on being accepted. I suggest though that you change the title of your post... it appears that the problem was not "a common ADHD problem with the CF"...

The CF does not have a problem with ADHD. If you're on ADHD medication, you won't be accepted; no problem.

Perhaps "A common condition: ADHD, and how I overcame and fixed it." would be more accurate.
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Offline McCurdy526

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Re: A common condition: ADHD, and How I overcame and fixed it to get into the CF.
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2010, 14:30:31 »
Quote from: ModlrMike on February 06, 2010, 13:58:36
Congratulations on being accepted.

Correction: I have not been accepted yet; My Recruiter called me a while ago, letting me know that I did not make the co-op. I then proceeded to e-mail her asking if I could join the Reserves - Infantry since I didn't make the co-op.

I later got a reply back saying that I should contact her in April, as she would know if there will be any positions available then.

Cheers,
Zach McCurdy, Age 17
Canadian Forces Applicant
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"You've never lived until you've almost died. For those that fight for it, life has a flavor the protected will never know."

First you have your best friends, then you have the only friends that will give you these 3 valuable things: suppressing fire, cover, and courage. These friends of yours can be found in no other than the Canadian Forces.

Offline BornToServe

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Re: A common condition: ADHD, and How I overcame and fixed it to get into the CF.
« Reply #3 on: March 06, 2010, 09:57:22 »
Hey thanks for posting this. Way to not let something this minor hold you back man. Im kind of in the same situation as you. Im 18 waiting for infantry to open as well. Good luck to you,

jordan.
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Offline Blake

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Re: A common condition: ADHD, and How I overcame and fixed it to get into the CF.
« Reply #4 on: March 12, 2010, 13:02:34 »
Actually I have a question regarding just this.
I'm applying for ROTP, I did the interview, medical exam, and what not. I got the same letter, it told me I needed to be off ritalin for 6months from Dec. 09.
Now, I'm in my third year of university, I have had no problem being off the medication, and I know I'm going to have to spend an extra year here.. that isn't the problem. I plan on having the letter from my doctor sent in at the beginning of May, I'll go and update him after exams and have him write up a letter...
So, first, is it ok that I am sending this letter in a little early? Also, where am I sending this exactly, to the local recruiting center, or to Ottawa? Finally, assuming they get the letter by the end of May, assuming I am accepted into the program, will I be doing basic training this summer, or will it be too late?
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Offline tk_01

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Re: A common condition: ADHD, and How I overcame and fixed it to get into the CF.
« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2010, 20:24:38 »
Congratulations.
« Last Edit: April 07, 2010, 20:37:54 by tk_01 »
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