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I go through another true crime story, this time looking at Elijah McClain, a very gifted neurodiverse individual who was misunderstood by law enforcement and unjustly killed without any offense.

Today's episode is a true crime series focused on the story of Elijah McClain, whose family described him as an athlete, pacifist, spiritual seeker, oddball, and extremely gentle soul. Based on this, the circumstances surrounding his death as narrated by the authorities do not add up. Born in 1996, his mum could tell he was exceedingly gifted. Sadly his talent was misunderstood and the schooling system didn't cater to kids with specific needs or he would have had the assessment to get a diagnosis of some form of autism.

Elijah's mother decided to school him at home believing that it would match his learning style. It worked as he learned to play musical instruments. By 19, he got a certificate as a Massage Therapist and also incorporated traditional healing practices into his work. He also enjoyed running very long distances without any exhaustion. Despite his physical activities, he always felt cold and had to use long sleeves and face covering all the time. This face covering would become a factor contributing to his demise. 

On the 24th of August 2019, at 10:30 pm, the police were called concerning a sketchy person wearing a face mask at a gas station close to Elijah's home. On arrival at the scene, they had tried to call his attention from behind him unsuccessfully, and not realizing he had headphones on, they engaged him physically using handcuffs to restrain him while he was faced down on the ground. Additionally, they went ahead to place him in a chokehold, with claims that he was agitated. He vomited and was later injected with ketamine which put him to sleep. Unfortunately, while in an ambulance to a nearby hospital, his heart stopped. Despite resuscitation, he failed to regain consciousness even on life support till it was turned off. 

Suspiciously, all 3 police officers claimed their body cams were knocked off during the arrest which made them unusable. They claimed that he was uncooperative but when the audio from the body cam was released, it was clear that he was complying. The audio also revealed that an officer had said that the camera should be moved, and showed Elijah explaining himself with an ID card. The audio extracted revealed that despite his cooperation, he was placed in a choke hold during which he still tried to vocalize his difficulty breathing.  

While the first autopsy was inconclusive, an amended note showed Elijah died as a result of a complication of Ketamine administration following forcible restraint. All officers were cleared of any wrongdoing till an external investigation was demanded by the family. This then revealed that the officers had no justification to stop, restrain or frisk Elijah that night and that there was no intention to de-escalate the situation before a physical confrontation. The paramedics were also wrong to sedate Elijah without cause. In 2021, the three officers and two paramedics were charged with manslaughter.

One of the Takeaways here is the misunderstanding of people in the community who see the world differently. Had Elijah been approached with consideration and an attempt to understand rather than violence based on unfounded reports, the outcome would have been different.  We all deserve the effort to be understood.

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I sit with, Leddy Glenn, a certified life coach who successfully surmounted many of the challenges of her dyslexia, and now directs her efforts to help other neurodivergent people identify areas of difficulty particular to their neurodiversity, as well as set or achieve goals, irrespective of the challenge.

Our guest today is Leddy, who had dyslexia growing up, and is now proud of her learning difference, teaching others that dyslexia is not a weakness but a superpower. Leddy is a former special education teacher for kids and young adults up to 21 years old.

As a life coach, Leddy helps individuals find their strengths and put them first to be successful because most people with learning differences focus largely on the challenges. She also works with people having autism, ADHD, and other not-so-obvious disabilities.

Sarah was diagnosed much later in life but the diagnosis helped her understand why her mode of learning was different from that of most people, and the tools made available created a huge difference for her. Leddy on the other hand was diagnosed in second grade around the age of 8  and she had started using tools much earlier. However, at the time, it was not seen in a positive light.

Using tools like Grammarly has also been highly beneficial for Leddy, especially with the advent of phone apps that make spelling much easier. Parents need to understand that these tools are not spoiling the kids or a form of cheating but a learning aid.

There is still a long way to go before the world is fully accepting of neurodiverse people, however, these conversations have started and the problem-solving qualities of neurodiverse people are getting more recognition.

Resources Mentioned

 ●      Connect with Leddy at www.leddyglenncoaching.com

●      Try Grammarly 

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I define burnout and highlight the signs of burnout with views from other neurodiverse individuals, as well as simple steps to take for anyone experiencing burnout.
Burnout is a state of physical and mental exhaustion that can occur due to long-term stress at work or working in a physically or emotionally draining role. Common signs include feeling helpless, trapped, tired or defeated, feeling detached or alone in the world, having self-doubt, procrastinating, feeling overwhelmed, and taking longer to get things done. When asked to identify the symptoms of burnout, 85% of UK adults correctly did, while 68% mistakenly identified symptoms of Anxiety. 

Burnout has a more detrimental effect on neurodiverse people. Generally, burnout occurs over a period of time, and, the longer it takes, the longer it is to recover. Life can be exhausting for a neurodiverse person. 

If you are feeling burnt out, take time off as much as you can but if your situation does not allow you to, then find short gaps of time in the day to take walks, rest or pray. 

Notable Quotes

o   "The longer the period building up to the burnout, the longer it will take to recover from it"

o   "So many neurodiverse people live on this constant edge of burning themselves out"

Resources Mentioned

●      Learn more about Burnout 

●      Neurodiverse views on Burnout: Video 1, Video 2, Video 3

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SCORE used to stand for the Social Core of Retired Executives. It is a nonprofit based in the US, with volunteer workers, and it is partially funded by the SBA, banks, and other people. It consists of people who have business knowledge and want to help people who are just getting started in business, without charging any fees.

Score mentorship gets funding from the Small Business Administration, grants, and sponsorships from banks or other businesses. Apart from the Score website,  Score mentorship also has individual, state, and regional-level websites, as well as a presence on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. They hold an online workshop for free twice a week. 

In the UK, there is a system where people can be on benefits such that when starting a business, they can apply for a grant to get funding for their business idea, however, the person must meet certain conditions. 

Before starting a business, you need to be in the right mindset. Score mentorship often gives people homework to see how prepared they are for the business. Some of these include competition research, market studies, getting a business name, creating a business plan, and others. 

There is no pressing need to quit your job when starting a business; keep in mind that you may need the funds for unforeseen issues outside your business plans. There's also nothing wrong with not wanting to start a business; the most important thing is being happy with whichever choice you make. 

If you have dyslexia or any other disability or learning disability,  try not to think of it as a disability; it's only a disability if you let it be one. Neurodiverse people need to talk more about their diversity so that more people can know about it and relate to it. People with learning differences need to realize that there's nothing wrong with them and in many cases, they are much smarter than most people.

Resources Mentioned

●      Visit the score website to get a mentor
●      Join a free workshop at www.merrimackvalley.score.org
●      Starting a business on universal credit

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At 53 years old, Dora got diagnosed with Dyslexia and Dyspraxia, both neurodiverse conditions. This masking is common among women or people of color because it is already hard enough getting work with these factors. To add neurodiversity, which is often misperceived as a disability would worsen the odds of getting a job. This mindset needs to change as companies need to understand that although some people learn differently, this doesn't make them less valuable.

An official assessment test was carried out to confirm Dora's dyspraxia/dyslexia and there was a lot of support in place to help her with her work, including a quiet room to work, a unique laptop, and software tailor-made for her neurodiversity, as well as extra time to complete her tests or exams. Oftentimes, neurodiverse people have to do more work to truly perform at their best but this is not a disability. Although the test was strenuous, it was worth it after all.

Oftentimes, neurodiverse people have to do more work to truly perform at their best but this is not a disability. Although the test was strenuous, it was worth it after all. She received the diagnosis with much calmness especially since she had some experience with my diagnosis as her daughter.

For people who suspect that they may have a form of neurodiversity, it is important to take the assessment to confirm and start getting access to tools that can help them perform optimally in all aspects of their lives. Because the tests may be expensive for adults, it is possible to speak to employers or general practitioners to help out with these tests. There is information for support on the UK government website for people who feel they may have neurodiversity.

Resources Mentioned
●      Apply for communication support at a job interview if you have a disability or health condition.
●      Learn more about a coup
●      Employing disabled people and people with health conditions
●      Dyslexia support and  Dyspraxia support for adults 

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Neuroinclusive Christmas, Finances, and Dealing with Loneliness.
In this episode, I share practical considerations for people going about festivities this holiday season, keeping in mind their neurodiverse loved ones, financial responsibility, and dealing with loneliness at this time.

Today's topic focuses on the holidays, including a neuro-inclusive Christmas, finances, and dealing with loneliness. With the holidays, It is important to still moderate your expenses, to avoid running into a shortage of funds going into the new year. Also, have the right coping mechanisms to deal with loneliness during this period. 

While preparing for the holidays, there are provisions that you can make for neurodivergent loved ones as they have to deal with the pressures of societal norms in this period and sensory overload. Hence, arrangements should be made both at home and work since festivities would take place there. Additionally, when we identify things that make neurotypical individuals uncomfortable, we help them decompress by moving them away from the source of the nuisance. 

The last quarter of the year provides ample opportunities to spend money by trying to take advantage of seasonal deals, getting holiday wear and decorations, or purchasing gifts for loved ones. One of the ways to remain financially steady through all the spending is to set aside a budget that is within your capacity, before the holiday season. It also helps to have an open dialogue on your plans for holiday expenses and the expectations of your loved ones. Applying certain budgeting practices like homemade meals or preparing much simpler gifts like a photo collage can go a  long way. You may even just be honest about not having enough in that period. The most crucial aspect of this holiday is to prioritize spending time with loved ones much more than just money. 

For people who are far away from loved ones and have no one around, maybe because they have travelled, it can be scary spending this time of the year alone. It is, however important to remember that this time of the year will pass, and people will come back. In the meantime, you may need to find activities you can do alone. These include reading a book, listening to a podcast, finding online friends, and going on websites like Meetup to find other people alone during Christmas. Some employers create meetups on Christmas day for people who are lonely during Christmas to interact with others. 

Some people decide to spend Christmas alone intentionally. Studies show that one in six people in the UK is expected to spend the holidays alone during Christmas and New year; 24% of adults aged 35 and 44, as well as 12% of people over 55 years. 

Another method to manage loneliness is to find a hobby, something you do just for the fun of it. You may catch up on work or other studies, watch movies, and reflect. This is a period when you can set major realistic goals called SMART goals; Specific, Measurable, Achievable, and Timely. These goals can be small and may be personal or professional.

Resources Mentioned

●      Visit the Meetup Website

●      Learn more about the survey on people who are alone during Christmas

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In this episode, I walk you through a true crime episode, sharing the real-life story of June and Jennifer Gibbons, popularly known as the silent twins, based on their unique mute nature. I describe their speech impediment, challenges they faced growing up, and how the poor understanding of their neurodiversity led up to a rather tragic end.

Once a month like today, I will discuss a true crime series on people who have neurodiversity. Today's episode focuses on "The Silent Twins" , by June and Jennifer Gibbons, who were born on the 11th of April 1963 to Aubery and Gloria Gibbons. Growing up, it was observed that both of them could hear and understand people but had a speech impediment that made their words jumbled. Surprisingly, while it got more difficult for others to understand them, they could understand each other perfectly. By school age, their speech was almost completely unintelligible but they had developed a type of idioglossia such that the sound and formation of words were completely their creation.

This phenomenon is often referred to as twin speech because it is commonly associated with twins. Because of this, added to their skin color, the twins were bullied at school. This isolation got worse as by middle school age, they only communicated with each other and their younger sister. In letters to their teachers, the girls blamed each other for their language, and after much effort and therapy, the twins were sent to separate boarding schools, hopefully, to encourage communication with others. Unfortunately, this rather put them in a catatonic state.  Their story titled "the Pepsi Cola Addict" was self-published while none of the other stories were published. Getting to their late high school years, they received a social welfare check, and they began to spend on drugs and alcohol which led them to petty crimes with no official prosecution. This was until the age of 18 when they started setting fires to establishments in their town, which June documented in her diary.

The lack of understanding of their neurodiversity caused them to be treated as a strange phenomenon rather than treating them with consideration and encouragement, allowing them to lead meaningful lives. They decided that whoever lived must start speaking and live normally. In the end, it was screed that Jennifer would die. On the day they were released from the Broadmoor hospital, Jennifer went into a coma and passed away at a hospital from what was identified as "Acute Myocarditis". June's response to this was that she was free and Jennifer had given her life for this liberation. She gave several interviews and now lives independently, no longer monitored by mental health services.

A movie will be released portraying the girls, and it will be titled, The Silent Twins.
Resources Mentioned

●      About the movie, “The Silent Twins” 

●      “The Pepsi Cola Addict” book by June and Jennifer Gibbons.

Music: “Unlimited” by Megan Wofford 

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Episode Notes
Today's discussion will be centred on project management. A project manager is responsible for the day-to-day management of the project and must be competent in managing the 6 aspects of a project; Scope, Schedule, Finance, Risk, Quality, and Resources.

An example of the scope statement is on my website which describes the scope of a website project for a business, with the acronym "MOSCOW"; what the website Must, Should, Could, and Won't have. 

The first tip to manage multiple priorities is to have a master plan to identify what to accomplish first, preferably by using a Daily Planner. I will be creating a planner for neurodiverse people on my website for purchase. Secondly, you need to know how to organize tasks by priority. It may involve arranging tasks by the date and time when they need to get done. Thirdly, break your tasks into smaller activities. Next, limit distractions and this can include setting your phone on 'do-not-disturb’ mode, blocking or deleting apps, or turning off your devices completely.

Resources Mentioned
●      Learn more about project management: www.apm.org.uk 
●      The Prince 2 Practitioner exam
●      “Atomic Habits” book by James Clear
●      Learn more about the scope of a project
●      Music: Eric B. & Rakim- Master Plan 

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In this episode, I sit with Oluwaseye Ogunfidodo, a customer service adviser, working in retail and retraining to become a software developer. He shares some of the methods he employs to amplify his ability to learn and perform efficiently as a professional with neurodiversity.

Our guest, Oluwaseye is currently a customer service adviser with a passion for tech, working for a food retail company and retraining to become a software developer. He recently moved into tech after being unsure of what career to go into for a long time. He also chose tech because it affords him the flexibility of having his work schedule at his pace without micromanagement.  

Also a neurodiverse individual, Oluwaseye has a learning difficulty, autism, and dyslexia. He was diagnosed with autism as a kid, and while building a career has had to rely on his Christian faith and mentors. He still plans to get an assessment now as an adult. His mind spirals to figure out the particular tools that would help him learn better. 

The first tool that often helps is writing down notes and also an apple laptop specially made to suit neurodiverse people. He also makes use of the calendar on his computer and takes a lot of breaks while learning. 

Autistic people often also have a lot of ideas and have difficulty expressing them. It helps when they can organize these thoughts in a quiet place to articulate them. To handle the overwhelming flow of thoughts coming into his mind, Oluwaseye reads his bible and prays for spiritual help in his learning. He also uses the voice capacity app on his phone. Additionally, it helps to have a tribe of people, including mentors who encourage you every day. 

Oluwaseye hopes to finish his software development course by next year. He plans to inform prospective employers about his neurodiversity, and to work with a company that has provision for neurodiverse professionals. Sadly, many companies claim to be open to neurodiverse individuals but in reality, their facilities are inadequate.

 Notable Quotes

o   "A lot of people who have learning differences can bring a lot to the table, and I think it should be celebrated more, rather than seen as a hindrance"

o   "It is better for anyone that is going on this career path; just be sure what type of job  sector or company sector you want to try and work for" 

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Welcome to the Divine Enigma Podcast, a safe place for project managers and professionals to learn to navigate the complexity of being neurodiverse in the workplace.In this episode, I talk about being a neurodiverse professional in a corporate setting, sharing insights from my experiences. We explore the tools I use to manage my dyslexia as a project manager and the soft skills that I have identified as crucial for any professional to excel in the workplace.

Neurodivergent is a term used to describe individuals that have brain processes that behave or learn differently from everyday people. It may come with multiple disabilities like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, Tourette's syndrome, and others. As a neurodivergent, I have been diagnosed as dyslexic with ADHD although this diagnosis has never been shared for fear that it could easily become another factor that must be overcome to be taken seriously at work. However, being neurodivergent is a superpower, not something to be ashamed of; this was the inspiration behind the podcast name, Divine Enigma. Neurodiversity is the concept that all human beings vary in terms of neurocognitive ability. Everyone has both talents and things they struggle with, however, in neurodivergent people, the gap between those two areas is widened, resulting in an exemplary performance in certain areas and a disability in some others. Neurodivergent people can be highly productive in an environment that amplifies their strengths and reduces disabling factors. Being neurodiverse, particularly with dyslexia, there are five key tips to stay organized while working as a project manager.

Firstly, ensure you have a planner and a list of things to get done before the next day. Secondly, try to allow yourself extra time if you're coming into a new environment. Next, use apps like Speechify, Grammarly, and others to help you effectively read or prepare documents. Fourthly, always have a power bank or enough battery life for your journey; your phone may come in very handy to help you navigate your way to a new place, using apps like Citymapper. Lastly, you may use apps like Otter to record your meetings and listen back on them; remember to get permission before recording in a meeting as there may be sensitive information being discussed. According to the British Dyslexia Association, Dyslexic people all have strengths like lateral thinking, big-picture thinking, problem-solving, and an intuitive understanding of how things work. With the right support, dyslexic people can shine. Neurodivergent individuals tend to have soft skills which are very beneficial for growth in the workplace.

The first crucial soft skill to have is being coachable which refers to the ability to take feedback or criticism and apply it to your work. Keep in mind, you must evaluate if the feedback is constructive and not simply meant to demoralize you. Another soft skill to have is the ability to be empathetic and supportive, which is quite common among neurodivergent people. For listeners who need help with public speaking, the toastmaster club course on public speaking is a useful tool. 

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