Feb 8
In Episode #59 of ADHD for Smart Ass Women, Tracy introduces her guest Taylor Levy. Taylor is an immigration attorney in El Paso, Texas. She was the Legal Coordinator at Annunciation House, El Paso’s largest migrant shelter. During the summer and fall of 2018, Taylor worked with dozens of pro bono attorneys who traveled to El Paso from across the U.S. to provide free legal representation to immigrant parents separated from their minor children because of the “zero-tolerance” policy enacted by the Trump administration. Attorneys volunteering with Annunciation House provided legal consultations and pro bono reunification to more than 400 separated families. Currently, Taylor focuses her work on asylum-seeking families who have been returned to Mexico under the “Remain in Mexico” program. She also mentors attorneys from around the country on these cases and does advocacy, media, and policy work centered on protecting vulnerable asylum seekers arriving at our border. Taylor talks about an article that ProPublica just published about her clients, Honduran refugees Mirza, David and their kids. Taylor also shares: How she ended up in law school while working full time and raising a child as a single mother The circumstances surrounding her own ADHD diagnosis Symptoms that she always wondered about but now with the benefit of hindsight she recognizes as clearly ADHD? What has changed since her diagnosis? How she ended up representing immigrants and asylum seekers before she even went to law school What she believes the key to living successfully with ADHD is? Her novel approach to medication Her number one workaround Her advice to a young woman just diagnosed with ADHD Information about the Mitchell Hamline School of Law Hybrid Program?
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"I think the key is being honest, and being honest with yourself, and being honest with those around you."
- Taylor Levy
"I 100% believe I'm successful because of my ADHD. And that's why I choose to talk about it very publicly, because I think people should talk about being neurodivergent. "
- Taylor Levy
"I think for me, the truth of the matter is, it does completely tear me apart. But that's what motivates me. "
- Taylor Levy
- Taylor shares his personal experience with ADHD and emotional dysregulation, which manifests in cruelty towards children and animals.
- Taylor and Tracy share similar experiences with disliking the writing process but enjoying the end result, highlighting the unique challenges of ADHD in academic settings.
- Taylor shares his experience with ADHD and how he uses workarounds to focus in class, such as bringing Silly Putty to play with and taking notes in a different color.
[20:03 - 33:20] ADHD, Impulsivity, and Success
- Taylor experiences physical discomfort and difficulty maintaining professional appearance when not on ADHD medication.
- Taylor and Tracy discuss creativity and problem-solving in the context of their work as immigration lawyers.
- Taylor shares how he uses handwritten to-do lists and post-it notes to stay organized despite his distractibility.
[33:20 - 46:59] ADHD Diagnosis and Treatment Strategies
- Taylor emphasizes the importance of honesty and self-acceptance in living successfully with ADHD.
- Taylor emphasizes the importance of self-advocacy and seeking positive mentors for individuals with ADHD, rather than relying solely on medical professionals for guidance.
- Taylor shares her experience with ADHD and how it affects her work as a lawyer, including her preference for not being medicated when meeting with clients.
